PatsDeb

The Titans, IMHO, are just awful. They should not be in the playoffs. If the Colts just played their starters at 1/2 speed they should have won. Yet, they take a loss to rest players, ensuring that the Titans will go to SD and most assuredly get knocked out, forcing Indy to play a pumped up SD for the 2nd time this year, where Indy lost the 1st meeting. At least Cleveland, with its high powered offense, may have had a shot at beating SD, in SD. If they did, they'd have to travel across the country to play Indy on little rest, thus probably ensuring a pretty easy win for Indy.

I wondered why Indy didn't put much stock in this? Do they think the Titans, even though the have a 99% chance of losing, will beat up SD more? What do you think?

BradyManny

That's a good point - I hadn't though of that, but it's a really interesting thought. There's always a hangover effect from playing tough games and/or tough teams, and certainly San Diego would have a tougher game against Cleveland.

We saw BB and the Pats strategically lose against the Dolphins to get the matchup they wanted in the playoffs...but I don't think Dungy thinks things through as much. In fact, I disagree altogether with the notion of resting players when you're getting a bye week anyway. How'd that work out for him in 04?

BelichickFan

I'm not sure the Browns would have any more chance than the Titans. If I were the Colts, actually, I would want the weakest team against SD - even though that would give the Colts a matchup against SD, the worst case for the Colts is an easy first round game for the Patriots which Tennessee or Cleveland would be.

PatsFan#37

IMO i think the colts are so arrogant they aren't worried about who they play because they think they will beat them. I have always though that this is a chink in their armor.

richpats

Absolutely. The Colts haven't played a playoff-caliber opponent full-speed since December 2nd. They will have had essentially 3 full weeks off before they likely play SD.

BelichickFan

In that sense, I agree - shutting down a team once they've locked their spot in is nuts IMO if they have a bye.

pwes

Even if the Titans lose (and they will) they are going to beat the living daylights out of SD in the process. San Diego is going to come brused up to Indy which I'm sure they'd be happy about. I don't think it was tactical though. They wern't going to play to win, they never do.

Deus Irae

The Titans are a very physical team. The Chargers now have to face that sort of physicality rather than the less aggressive Browns, meaning the Chargers could well be banged up when/if they meet the Colts.

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PatsFaninAZ

It's really tough to game all that.

What if Indy thinks Jacksonville is a bigger threat than San Diego? In that event, you'd want the weakest team possible playing San Diego, because if San Diego loses Indy will get the winner of Jacksonville/Pittsburgh.

I think it worked out fine for Indy. In fact, if I were a Colts fan, I wouldn't be at all disappointed with how things worked out. I'd rather have the Titans than the Browns as the six seed, because I'd rather see the Patriots play the Titans than the Browns if there is an upset in the 3/6 game.

PatsFaninAZ

It also means we could be banged up if and when we meet the Colts if the Titans pull off the upset.