That is the latest talk concerning the NFL right now. Its not about which team is the best, or who will win it all. The Indianapolis Colts and almost-credible-superstar Peyton Manning are now 13-0. Three more wins, and they tie the Dolphins record of winning all their regular season games. A couple more wins, and they've got themselves not just a Superbowl victory, but immortality.
Wouldn't you know that ultra serious Colts coach Tony Dungy is planning on playing it safe. He plans to rest his starters as much as possible for the remaining three games so they'll be in top shape for the playoffs. That ladies and gentlemen, is the dilema. Do you play it safe and go for the Superbowl which Indy has been waiting so long for, or do you take this rare opportunity and go for a place in the upper echelons of football immortality?
At first I couldn't understand why they wouldn't. They've always had the best offense in football, and now they even have a defense to match. To my dismay, they finally defeated their recent nemesis, the New England Patriots, in the Pats' own stadium. This is their year! Finally they are 13-0, they definitely look good enough to go all the way. What's three more wins against some teams that are nowhere near their caliber? Let's see...
San Diego Chargers - Okay, the Chargers aren't that bad, but they just lost to a sub-par Miami team. Plus, they haven't had any convicing wins over good teams except Kansas City, and they haven't dominated in any of their important wins. Compare that to how Indy basically stomped on every one of their opponents since the beginning of the season. Okay, they only beat the Jags and the Browns by 7 points, but since then (week 3), they have steam-rolled everything in their path. Chargers: no chance.
Seattle Seahawks (at Seattle) - The Hawks look convincing at 14-2, but just look at their schedule. They played the Niners TWICE! Their previous pummeling against Philly was of course a joke considering the Eagles' situation. This team has beaten no one good. Forget these guys, no chance.
Arizona Cardinals - Another sub-par team that the Colts will absolutely cruise through. At 4-9 (two wins from beating the Niners), this team isn't even worth talking about.
So even if the Colts go all out against Seattle and San Diego, they'll have an easy time against Arizona, and still be in top shape for the playoffs. But...
I slowly began to understand why Dungy is being so careful. Its not just his personality. The Colts have been trying so hard for so many years to go all the way. All these years they have failed. Dungy has had the best offense in the league for at least three years, yet he's been unable to capitalize. Dungy simply doesn't want to blow it.
I also understand how big winning the Superbowl is to the players, especially to those who have never done it. There are so many players (a lot of good ones) who have never tasted a Superbowl win. There are some teams that come so close, but are unable to take the final prize. Every year there are two teams that get to the Superbowl, and one that walks away empty handed. You're within arms reach of your ultimate goal, but at the last second it is snatched by someone else. Just look at Philly. They made it to the big game last year, they lost, and now they have no chance of getting back to the form they were in. They were so close, but couldn't close the deal.
So yeah, immortality doesn't come along very often, but neither does the Superbowl.
(Secretly, I'm asking Tony Dungy to grow a set of balls and go for it!)
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