Well at least with those that are healthy. Here is what Johnny O quoted Polian on:

"It's only about who's healthy," he said. "Today was the most important game from the standpoint of this year's race — that's over. Today was the most important game if you want to talk about history, because it achieved two historic milestones. That's it. What more is there to do?

"You do what you think is best, but I think that's moot. I don't think it goes beyond who's healthy."

I think this is the right decisio. My interpretation of "rest" was to only sit the players who are nicked or injured, not the healthy ones. I think the only time the Colts should take a little more precaution* with healthy starters is week 17, where the Colts face there last opponent, Buffalo

*- what I mean by precaution, is to limit the play time to about one half or if the Colts are 15-0, then try to put up as many points as possible to sit the Starters early

Let me start by saying, yes im biased. I loved Marcus Howard coming out of the draft and was very angry and disappointed when he got cut. But with recent injuries to Mathis and Freeney, it makes me question why he wasn't brought back at any point either of our two bookends got injured. These aren't season ending injuries (thank god *knock on wood*) but when one or both dont play, there is a considerable drop off in our pass rush since teams can double up on whoever is left.

Looking at our depth behind Freeney and Mathis, I dont really see anyone who can generate pressure on an occasional basis. Brock has been pretty quite this season and Dawson hasn't been seen in the backfield much. It doesn't help that the interior of the line isnt getting into the backfield often in passing situations.

And when the Colts bring in guys to temporarily fill in, its usually Josh Thomas and some dude we have never herd of (see the DE from the Chicago Bears pracitce squad they brought in last week Ervin Baldwin). We have no idea how that Bears DE Baldwin is going to play, but we do know that Thomas cannot rush the passer if his life depended on it. He is an ok run stuffer, but isnt dominant by any means, plus he was cut and resigned several times meaning he was expendable.

Going back to Howard, he isnt that great against the run, but we know for certain that he can get to the QB. We've seen it in preseason, we have seen it in the last game of the regular season last year.

Larry Coyer stated back in the preseason, when he got the job, that the most important thing on defense is to rush the passer. We all know Freeney and Mathis need the rest to be 100% and ready to go in the playoffs. There is no denying that they are the best at what they do, but we need someone to be able to rush the passer when they are temporarily on idle. Thats why we should bring Howard back on the roster. If not for pass rush depth, then at least to give the best DE tandem a little rest before the big tournament

Now that win was a lot more more comforting today. Still there are some things that need to be cleaned up. Thats what December is for. Here are my five

1.) I think the defense missed plenty of opportunities to get stops. Im not saying that they played poorly. They played very well, but some of those points the Titans scored could have been avoided and some of the times the offense had bad field position could have actually been decent to great. The missed sack that would have resulted in a huge loss and the dropped interceptions were missed opportunities. When the playoffs come around, you have to make those kinds of plays.

2.) I think the Colts need to run the football more. Again, this is not a knock on the offense. Addai was magnificent today and Hart ran hard. I just think that with this stable of backs, we should run more to harness their talents and skills. If Hart can show more good things in the coming weeks, Simpson continue with some of his great runs he has had recently, and the return of Brown with Addai leading the way, the running game can finally help get the receivers in 1-1 matchups that Peyton Manning loves to feast on.

3.) I think I cant say enough about Pierre Garcon. He has been phenomenal these last few weeks and today he was just insane. 99 yards in one quarter? That is amazing. The more he grows the more matchup problems the Colts can create. I hope Gonzo gets back soon, not because I want Garcon off the field, but for the Colts to have an unstoppable group of receivers. Imagine it: Wayne and Gonzo are interchangeable at either slot or flanker as well as Clark (well he can play flanker, slot, or inline). The combination's the Colts will have with these players will have defensive coordinators scrambling for answers.

4.) I think that once Hayden gets back into his grove, the secondary is going to be very scary. Lacey, while good, has had some problems, but thats expected of a rookie. I think that once he moves inside to nickleback, we can eliminate two problems. One Lacey will be matched up with receivers that he matches up with better physically. The second is we wont have to worry about Jennings, though its not like he has played badly either. The coverage is good now, but will be even better down the road. Look out NFL...

5.) I think Tony Ugoh did an admerable job today. He struggled early, but after his name wasn't mentioned much. Normally that isnt a good thing, but in this case it is. It means that he wasn't responsible for blown blocks or pressure coming from his side "cough* Diem "cough*. Here is hoping that next year (or even sometime soon) he can find his place and be a solid contributor. Weather its shifting him to another position or having another shot at LT, I hope Ugoh can resurrect his career .

I forgot to post up one of these last week due to school and work, but its back this week. Come on, you know you all missed ti. Like the MSM, you guys all love to praise my work[/sarcasm]. Without further adou here is what I take from this week.

1.) While obvious, I think this team is very resilient. Not that they weren't under Dungy's tenior or prior years, but this team is showing us something special. They really all look focused on trying to accomplish the ultimate goal in the NFL and that's to win the Superbowl. Its for this reason why I was overreacting a bit the last few weeks. Because they are special, because they are so determined, its irritating to see this team struggle early or in the middle of games. We all know they are better than what they have displayed in the first half of that Texans game.

2.) I think Pierre Garcon is going to be a mainstay in this offense for a long time. He has really matured these last couple of weeks making big plays and most importantly, being consistent. He is looking the ball into his hands and not dropping them and his routes are looking more crisp. He still has a ways to go, but thats a good thing. If he looks this good now with a lot of room for improvement, just wait for the oncoming years.

3.) I think Ryan Diem is finished. Since the removal of Pollak, we have still seen the same problems the Colts have always had on the right side. The running lanes are still getting clogged on that side and the pressure is still coming from that side. No longer is Pollak the scapegoat and its not DeVan since he is improving the run game up the middle. The lone culprit is Diem. He was responsible for one INT and a few sacks yesterday. Its time to seek a replacement and release him, or shift him over to the inside.

4.) I think its time for the MBBD. Thats the "Melvin Bullitt Beatdown Defense". Its Titans week and Vince Young is back in the saddle at starting QB. They are running option plays and running Chris Johnson all over the place. Bullitt may not be Bob Sanders in coverage, but he sure looks like him when chasing down a running back and playing in the box. Also, with Coyer calling the plays, the defense will be coming after Young.

5.) I think the Colts will remain the lone undefeated team by tonight. Do I care? not really, but I dont see the Saints beating the Patriots tonight. Why? I believe the Saints defense is overrated and can be had. If the Rams could almost do it, the Patriots most certainly can. The only NFC team I could see standing up to the AFC's elite is the Vikings and only if they make it to the Superbowl, will they have the chance to showcase that.

Im still in awe and amazement over this win, We knew we had something special in this team, now there is no doubt. Lets get to the five starting with the most controversial issue.

1.) I think Belichick made the right call on that 4th and 2. Personally, I thought the odds were better of getting a stop if they punted (though I dont think they would have), but this was the right call for a few reasons. If the Patriots had converted the fourth and two, victory is assured and why wouldn't you place trust with an offense that features Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker? The Colts are known for giving up a majority of third/fourth and shorts. In these kinds of situations, you want to put the ball in your best players hands. The best players the Patriots have are on offense. The Colts defense simply wanted it more.

2.) I think we need Gonzo back sooner rather than later. Unless Garcon (and to a lesser extent, Collie) get out of their funk of dropping easy passes that are perfectly placed in their hands, Gonzo's absence will be felt hard. They have to stop playing like rookies (even though they essentially are rookies, yes that even includes Garcon) and start playing like the Vets they looked like at the beginning of the season. This is a major reason the offense has been struggling of late. As my friend likes to say when we play football, "no hands, no future".

3.) I think the defense, though not as worrisome, is still troubling at times. Perhaps we (or at least I) was a little to confident that the loss of Hayden and Jackson will produce very little drop off. Did I think there might be lapses? Yeah, but I never thought I would see what transpired through the first half of that New England game yesterday. The only guy I have almost full confidence in right now, is Jarraud Powers. He has been absolutely phenominal in his first year. Lacey is good and I think he has the room to be better, but he still isnt ready to compete against some of the elite receivers in this game (Moss and Johnson made that very evident the last two weeks). Jennings? ugh, keep him to nickle and dime please. The reason why i dont have full blown panic, is because they really stepped it up in the second half.

4.) I think that a win in both of these next two games could all but lock up the AFC South title. Im not going to say the Colts locked it up yet, because right now the rest of the division is picking up there play. The Titans have reeled off three in a row, The Jags are above .500 and the Texans had a week off to correct there mistakes. In the NFL, there is no rest for the weary, even those that have an unblemished record. If you watched Caldwells presser today, he is preaching the same thing.

5.) I think the Bengals are going to win the AFC North. They have a sweep over the Steelers and Ravens, the two main competitors for the division as well as a win over the Browns. This means they are 5-0 in the division and have the best record in the division for the rest of the season. Those are huge tiebreakers that are vital for a division title. The only way the Bengals lose there grip, is if they have a catastrophic breakdown. With the way that defense is playing, I dont see it happening.

Fire away guys, this victory was sweet.

Well it seems a few people have beaten me tot he punch with their own little "5 things" segment, but no matter, here are my five useless observations of the day that was.

1.) I think the Colts defense has played magnificent throughout this season. It is because of them that the Colts were able to stave off the Texans and the Niners. The added aggression by Coyer and the play of the young players has helped tremendously with the number of injuries in the secondary. Despite that, however, the Colts need Hayden back because, at times, there were a few lapses in coverage, which is expected when you are playing with two rookies.

2.) I think I know where the problems on offense lye. The offensive line is the problem and while it has been better than last years unit, its still slowing this offense down. Pass protection isn't much of a problem, but it is a bit of a concern with the lapses they have had the last two weeks. Run blocking is the big one as the Colts still arent trying to pound the rock frequently. Manning threw 50 passes today and thats not winning football. The colts must find a way to create balance and that starts up front

3.) I think worrying about the Colts coverage units on special teams is a thing of the past. Before, Jacoby Jones might have returned several of the punts he got today with the former special teams units of the Colts. Now its one of the last things on my mind and I dont have to hold my breath every time they kickoff or punt.

4.) I think next weeks game between the Pats and Colts is going to be big. Well this is kind of obvious, but both teams are on a streak right now and Brady looks back to form. Hopefully, the Colts can get some bodies back this week because they are going to need all the help they can get.

5.) I think Caldwell had his worst day of coaching today. I never saw how he coached when he was at wake forest, perhaps Caldwell had worse, but today certainly was up there with any coaching blunders he may have had in the past. That WR pass was just awful as we were moving the ball well with Manning having the ball in his hands. Icing the kicker only helped Houston get points on the board. Not going for it on 4th and 1 from almost midfield was a mistake as well.

A win is a win and you take them any way you can get them, but this win one of those ugly ones. Time for some ranting

1.) I think something is wrong with the offense. No im not just talking about today, Im talking about last week as well. Im not sure about the rest of you, but I saw the offense struggle against the rams during the middle of the game as they were stuck at a 15 point lead. Today was no different as the Colts struggled to TD's on the board and kept having to punt. Based on the limited game footage I have concluded that this problem stems from the offensive line with its inconsistent pass and run blocking (specifically Pollak) and a number of dropped passes (emphasis on Garcon). The Colts must find a way to correct this, because kicking field goals or having to punt in numerous occasions is not winning football.

2.) I think the defense, on the other hand, deserves some much needed praise. Despite that long run and that lackluster effort on the last drive of the first half, they have been on fire. They shut out the Niners for the rest of the game after their last TD. Each time the Niners were nearing the endzone, Mathis and Freeney, the most clutch DE's in the league, came up huge with sacks to end drives short of FG range. Coverage was a little shotty at times  but Overall though, great performance by the defense.

3.) I think the Gonzo's return is going to greatly help this offense. This one is fairly obvious, but it holds alot of merrit. Garcon, although he has shown some great things, is still a bit raw in some area's, still too accustomed to college rules, thats why he is getting penalized. Collie, while great, is not a huge deep threat and more a first down machine like Stokley was. We all saw what happened when Baskett got into the game, dropping several easy catches. This is likely a result of him getting acclimated to a system that gives most receivers problems adjusting their first years. With Gonzo's return, it will give leway(sp?) to players like Reggie Wayne, who is battling a groin injury and take away the constant dubbles on him

4.) I think we have a candidate for Dr. Jackle and Mr. Hyde. To go place of the once inconsistent Texans, the Cardinals seem to be the newest of inconsistent teams. The Cardinals who looked out of sorts in the beginning of the year, ripped off 3 (2?) straight wins and then fall to the Panthers with an embarrassing performance by Warner. This opens up things for the Niners despite them dropping one today as well.

5.) Reserved for Monday Night