The Colts Needed to Lose

It's possible to lose a game but still win at the end. The Colts lost but that's the best thing that could happen to them. But the Colts, being very competitive, never want to lose. Especially at home. But they certainly looked vulnerable today in a playoff type atmosphere. The Chargers were in a must win game and certainly wanted to prove they belong after a miserable showing last week. I don't think the Colts held anything back today. They played to win all the way till the end. It's tough to play your best game when you have accomplished all the goals the team set out. Going undefeated is not a goal for any team before the season starts. It's a special thing to accomplish but I don't think anyone thinks about it. Winning divisions, conferences, home field advantage, and the Super Bowl are the goals.

Now the Colts won't have to answer any more questions about staying undefeated. You bet they're happy about that in the locker room. Can you imagine if they went into the playoffs undefeated? Every week the pressue would multiply. Same questions as they kept winning. There's already alot of pressure during the playoffs and to win the Super Bowl. But if they were 18-0 going into the Super Bowl, I think Peyton Manning would have pulled a Ryan Leaf and flipped out on a reporter.

With this one loss, now the Colts can rest their starters. They can forget about everyone asking them the same questions about staying undefeated. They can be more focused now on their goal of winning the Super Bowl and nothing else.

Are the Colts vulnerable now? Will other teams look at this game and use it as a blueprint? You bet they will. The Chargers got to Manning all day long. They were able to convert on long yardage plays when they needed it. They jumped out to a quick lead.The Colts lost the style of game you'd expect them to win...a shootout. All this at home.

But the Colts will respond and still win the Super Bowl in my opinion. The last team to win 13 games but lose the next was the 1998 Broncos. Even they said losing that game and the next made everything easier.

Must feel as good as soaking in a hot tub after a long hard day of work.

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