1st Down- Week 16

- The Indianapolis Colts once again have decided to rest their starters before the postseason. Some people are mad at this decision because the Colts didn't go after the perfect season. I'm mad at this decision because of the Colts history.



This isn't the first time the Colts had a chance to go undefeated heading into the playoffs and decided to pull their starters. Tony Dungy pulled the starters in 2005 after the death of his son. Injuries have also caused the Colts in 2007 and 2008. All three times the Colts have gone on to lose in the playoffs.

That's why pulling the starters this year makes no sense. The Colts track record says don't rest the starters. Manning is only .500 in the playoffs and also has a track record of choking the playoffs. The Colts will pay for resting their starters in the postseason.

- Lost in all the talk about the Colts resting their starters and blowing the undefeated season, the New York Jets have a chance at sneaking into the playoffs. The Jets control their own destiny heading into the last week of the season. All they have to do is beat a Cincinnati team that has already wrapped up their division. We might see another Colts situation next week with the Bengals.

- Steve Smith is an animal. During the Panthers thrashing of the Giants, Smith caught a touchdown pass and broke his arm. Here's the crazy part of the story, Smith wants to play next week in a meaningless game against the Saints.



Smith is definitely one of a kind. It's too bad John Fox had to decide his own fate by starting Jake Delhomme so many times to a point, that the Panthers were eliminated from the playoffs. Matt Moore has proven in two games that he is much more capable of running the teams offense than Delhomme. It's a shame that we don't get to watch Smith in the playoffs.

- Thanks for showing up against Tampa Bay, Saints. Even your owner is celebrating prematurely.

- A quick congratulation of the 49ers Frank Gore. Gore became the first Niners running back ever to rush for four 1,000 yard seasons. That's a hell of an accomplishment when you think about the running backs that have come through San Francisco. Gore is also very close to becoming the Niners all-time rusher, a mark that Joe Perry set back in the 1950's. Gore has been a constant professional even though the players around him aren't.

Here's to you Frank.



GORE! GORE! GORE!