Another Magnificent 7

And not just because of all the kind words for 18to88.com

1. Today’s thought on end-of-season strategy. As written before, the reality we in the media/blogosphere/fandom can argue whatever we choose. The Colts are going to take the same approach they always have. At some point, if they are not undefeated, they will rest anybody remotely injured, and they also will rest particularly key players such as QB Peyton Manning, WR Reggie Wayne, Addai, TE Dallas Clark, DE Dwight Freeney, DE Robert Mathis, C Jeff Saturday and perhaps LB Gary Brackett and Bethea. This will make those who believe you must win to maintain postseason momentum angry and the Colts will not care. The X factors may be the unbeaten record and the time of the season. If the Colts clinch homefield Sunday, I can’t see them resting many players against Jacksonville the following week and if they’re still unbeaten after that, they’ll have 10 days off before a home game against the Jets and the feeling may be that it’s still too early to rest everyone. Even at 15-0, the Colts likely wouldn’t play Manning and the rest of the front-line players much against Buffalo in the season finale. That game is likely to be cold with other weather elements, and given the choice between going for 16-0 and not risking Dwight Freeney’s lower body in a snowstorm, the Colts almost certainly will opt for the latter.