Indy fans should be pulling for the Pats next weekend

[amfootball]

Where does one cast their ballot to vote for peyton or Brady?

Where else? This board.

[jvan1973]

Where else? This board.

i don't think Brady would do very well if the election is on this board.

[amfootball]

i don't think Brady would do very well if the election is on this board.

That is obvious.

[Superman]

But this match up goes a long way in determining the 1,2 and 3 seeds. Every game in the NFL has significance especially a match up between the current 1 and 2 seeds.

 

Not really. This matchup is relevant for the 1 and 2 seeds, but there's a big tie right now for the 3 seed. Four teams at 5-3, and then the Bengals at 4-2-1, and then Miami, Cleveland and KC only have 3 losses. Really, the team that gains the most if the Pats win is the Pats. That puts them into the top spot, tied with Denver with 2 losses, but having the head to head tie breaker. And then Denver has 5 more road games, and the Pats only have 4, plus a bye.

 

Everyone else, besides the Chiefs and Chargers, there's a better chance of getting the 2 seed than the 1 seed, and those odds go up if Denver wins.

 

And really, it's still October. As a Colts fan, I just want us to win our games, and the seeding is what it is. If we wind up with the 3 or the 4, so be it. I'd rather have a first round bye. I'm not too concerned with having homefield, although it would be nice, but I honestly think that's out of reach. Not the 2 seed, especially if the Pats lose to the Broncos and then lose to the Colts. Then we'll be in firm control of the 2 seed, assuming we take care of the Giants.

 

Ultimately, it would take a lot more than a longshot chance at the 1 seed for me to root for Manning to lose to the Pats.

[dgambill]

There are too many variable in play for me to change who I root for in this scenerio. Basically the only way I root for Peyton to lose is if he is playing Indy....and even then I want Luck to outscore him and both throw like 500yds and 5tds. The only other way I would root against him was if Indy was going to be eliminated from the playoffs.....everything else....idc. If we play as a 3 seed so be it that isn't enough for me to change my rooting habits. Same thing when I was rooting for Tebow or Barry Sanders or Kurt Warner...I'm not going to root against guys I like for seeding...it would have to basically be playing against us or eliminating us for me to do that. My loyalty is to my happiness...and I wouldn't be happy rooting against people I like. I don't hate NE..I'm just indifferent because I have no ties to them. NE vs Buf....I could care less...I would just watch and admire Tom playing or Kyle Orton...but I have invested emotion in Peyton...and watching him be successful still brings me happiness based on his time here. If the Colts don't win it all I would want it to be him....if any reason else so he can retire peacefully and I can only focus on Indy games on Sunday.

[HtownColt]

I'm going for the Broncos to beat the Pats, then Colts beat Pats to gain the tiebreaker over them. And then the Colts have the inside track to the #2 seed and a bye

[dgambill]

I know its hard for Patriot fans to comprehend but until you go through something like having your most beloved leader/player/figure who put the sport on the map for you leave your organization its hard to understand your feelings for that person. On top of that the guy donated more money to charities/organizations in your city than any other person and had been pretty much a piller of your community it would be hard to lose them and also not still follow and root for them. I know many have said if Tom was to get let go next year most wouldn't care less and he is the enemy but I just have a hard time believing that....imagine if a player like Larry Bird or Bill Russell had been moved...I think it would be impossible as a fan of those players to not to continue to root for them after their gone considering all that they ment to the organization and the fans. I could be wrong but thats how I feel.....like if Reggie Miller had come out of retirement a few years ago to play for a championship....barring playing against the Pacers I would have pulled for him to get a ring.

[BOTT]

Read some of the posts on this thread ... they support my view.

Meh, this board doesn't represent Colts fans as a whole. Let's face it, a player of his caliber invites a lot of bandwagon fans who started watching the Colts due to Peyton.

[Corndog]

Agreed.

 

It makes sense for the Colts to root for Patriots.

 

Pats have a brutal schedule coming up. I have them going 2-3 in the next 5 games. I think we'll definitely beat them because we'll be playing at home.

 

If we want ANY chance at the 1st seed Denver has to lose here and hope that Chargers/Chiefs beat them when they go on the road.

Good points, the Broncos beating the Pats wouldn't help the Colts at all, just gets the Broncos further ahead of the pack.  They would need this loss and some help from the Chargers and Chiefs.  Whereas, with the Pats, the Colts could help in their own destiny by beating them at LOS.  

[amfootball]

Meh, this board doesn't represent Colts fans as a whole. Let's face it, a player of his caliber invites a lot of bandwagon fans who started watching the Colts due to Peyton.

Agree. This general section has more Manning fans I think than Colts fans.

[dgambill]

Agree. This general section has more Manning fans I think than Colts fans.

I find it hard to believe that people have a hard time understanding how people can be a fan of anything other than your own team. Like I can't be a fan of JJ Watt because he plays for Houston. I was a Colts fan from the time they moved here but that didn't stop me from rooting for Joe Montana back in the day or my dads Bears teams. If anything it seems weird to me to ONLY be a fan of the Colts. I mean...I love pie...apple pie, pumkin pie, cherry...all sorts...I love Pumkin the best but it certainly won't stop me from enjoying a good ol slice of key lime pie though!

[amfootball]

I find it hard to believe that people have a hard time understanding how people can be a fan of anything other than your own team. Like I can't be a fan of JJ Watt because he plays for Houston. I was a Colts fan from the time they moved here but that didn't stop me from rooting for Joe Montana back in the day or my dads Bears teams. If anything it seems weird to me to ONLY be a fan of the Colts. I mean...I love pie...apple pie, pumkin pie, cherry...all sorts...I love Pumkin the best but it certainly won't stop me from enjoying a good ol slice of key lime pie though!

I get what you are saying but most people default to their own team in terms of rooting interests. I have always been a fan of players in every sport but it ends there when they are going up against my team. But that could be somewhat unique to Boston. We have teams in every major sport and have been blessed with iconic sports figures for over a century so there really is no reason for us to ever root outside our home teams but if we only had a football team or a basketball team then I might be more inclined to be fans of other teams.

[dgambill]

I get what you are saying but most people default to their own team in terms of rooting interests. I have always been a fan of players in every sport but it ends there when they are going up against my team. But that could be somewhat unique to Boston. We have teams in every major sport and have been blessed with iconic sports figures for over a century so there really is no reason for us to ever root outside our home teams but if we only had a football team or a basketball team then I might be more inclined to be fans of other teams.

Don't get me wrong...I don't root against my own team. That said Indy is a small market and we haven't always had (and still dont) 4 major sports teams....but when we aren't playing on the field....the Colts have no effect on my rooting interest (outside the rare chance it was to keep us out of the playoffs....seeding is meaningless to me).

[amfootball]

Don't get me wrong...I don't root against my own team. That said Indy is a small market and we haven't always had (and still dont) 4 major sports teams....but when we aren't playing on the field....the Colts have no effect on my routing interest (outside the rare chance it was to keep us out of the playoffs....seeding is meaningless to me).

And Manning is also bigger than life there for his play on the field and his off field contributions to the community. I get where he would be a difficult player for any Colts fan to root against no matter what team he is playing for. And I don't think that is bad or being a bad fan.

[dgambill]

And Manning is also bigger than life there for his play on the field and his off field contributions to the community. I get where he would be a difficult player for any Colts fan to root against no matter what team he is playing for. And I don't think that is bad or being a bad fan.

Indiana has that small town vibe to it. We really reach out to our players....like they are almost one of us...especially those that have been as gracious and a part of the community as Peyton. We don't have many stars around here....and he was the biggest there has ever been essentially. I mean to understand before Peyton probably the biggest star we claimed was Larry Bird....and he played in Boston....everyone loved him around here....basically almost all of Indiana become Celtic fans (I know my pops and older brother did). Sure he is an anomoly because he was home grown but people around here pledge their fandom to a guy....it tends to last for life...regardless where they end up. Essentially...perhaps making us the most loyal fans of all if you want to look at it that way. I think that describes a lot of people around here.

[BOTT]

I find it hard to believe that people have a hard time understanding how people can be a fan of anything other than your own team. Like I can't be a fan of JJ Watt because he plays for Houston. I was a Colts fan from the time they moved here but that didn't stop me from rooting for Joe Montana back in the day or my dads Bears teams. If anything it seems weird to me to ONLY be a fan of the Colts. I mean...I love pie...apple pie, pumkin pie, cherry...all sorts...I love Pumkin the best but it certainly won't stop me from enjoying a good ol slice of key lime pie though!

I guess I'm weird then lol. I pretty much hate any team that has ever played the colts.

[GoPats]

I know its hard for Patriot fans to comprehend but until you go through something like having your most beloved leader/player/figure who put the sport on the map for you leave your organization its hard to understand your feelings for that person. On top of that the guy donated more money to charities/organizations in your city than any other person and had been pretty much a piller of your community it would be hard to lose them and also not still follow and root for them. I know many have said if Tom was to get let go next year most wouldn't care less and he is the enemy but I just have a hard time believing that....imagine if a player like Larry Bird or Bill Russell had been moved...I think it would be impossible as a fan of those players to not to continue to root for them after their gone considering all that they ment to the organization and the fans. I could be wrong but thats how I feel.....like if Reggie Miller had come out of retirement a few years ago to play for a championship....barring playing against the Pacers I would have pulled for him to get a ring.

 

We've actually had a lot of instances where one-time heroes returned to Boston wearing different uniforms. Bobby Orr didn't finish his career as a Bruin. From the NFL, guys like Ty Law and Drew Bledsoe came back with different teams - not to mention one certain kicker who now wears speed blue. Baseball probably has the most examples... Roger Clemens is the first one who comes to mind. 

 

When this happens we may boo a little, but in the end, they get our gratitude and respect. That usually doesn't happen until they're retired and have "come home" to the organization, at least figuratively. 

 

But I've noted it before, with four well-established, longstanding teams in the four major sports, Boston has been lucky and has a much longer tradition than a city like Indy. Not a better one, just a longer one. Generally speaking though, most of us root for the name on the front of the jersey, not the back. 

 

Nothing's "right" here, nothing's "wrong" - it's just different, and it's hard for us New Englanders to get our heads around it.  ;)

[dgambill]

We've actually had a lot of instances where one-time heroes returned to Boston wearing different uniforms. Bobby Orr didn't finish his career as a Bruin. From the NFL, guys like Ty Law and Drew Bledsoe came back with different teams - not to mention one certain kicker who now wears speed blue. Baseball probably has the most examples... Roger Clemens is the first one who comes to mind. 

 

When this happens we may boo a little, but in the end, they get our gratitude and respect. That usually doesn't happen until they're retired and have "come home" to the organization, at least figuratively. 

 

But I've noted it before, with four well-established, longstanding teams in the four major sports, Boston has been lucky and has a much longer tradition than a city like Indy. Not a better one, just a longer one. Generally speaking though, most of us root for the name on the front of the jersey, not the back. 

 

Nothing's "right" here, nothing's "wrong" - it's just different, and it's hard for us New Englanders to get our heads around it.  ;)

I probably don't speak for everyone..just myself. Having only two sports teams with relatively short histories our heros tend to be HS and college stars. Guys sit at the barber shop or coffee shop and talk about old HS days and teams and our college teams like IU more so than pro. That has changed more and more since the success of Reggie and the Pacers and Peyton and the Colts. I mean I'm sure even in your worst years most of your sports teams almost sell out....even when we were competitive we had blackouts here in Indy with the Colts. Peyton put us on the map...basically the father of football for Indiana....I mean lets be honest...Peyton is the most popular name among boys AND girls in the state of Indiana for like 5 years straight during the mid 2000s lol. So as fans we have a long history of being fans of players (IU,PU,HS heros) and following their careers in NBA etc and not so much a single team. Like where I live in Kentucky, UK players are on all sorts of different teams and fans down here follow their favorite players not teams...so if they get traded they follow them.

 

All in all Peytons situation is quite unusual...I do get what your saying and I think someday we will be more like that but with limited stars and history..we just haven't adjusted to seeing our great players leave. Its a new experience for us. Obviously Boston's great history you have seen it over and over. I'm sure it will change in time. Also those guys you mentioned perhaps Bobby Orr closely fits Peytons stature with the team. Baseball players leave teams all the time...like I said...it would be equivilant of Larry Bird getting let go or Bill Russell or if Tom Brady goes...that is Peytons stature to the city....you've had great players but Bledsoe and Law aren't really even the most popular players on the team at the time...considering you had Curtis Martin and Tom Brady and Willie Mcginnist and Rodney Harrison the list goes on and on....outside of Tom all those guys are more like Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Robert Mathis, Dwight Freeney...Tom/Peyton are the faces of the franchise...they put both on the map historically,

[dgambill]

I guess I'm weird then lol. I pretty much hate any team that has ever played the colts.

You may be weird (i don't know you personally lol) but its not weird to not like other teams. I just try to stay positive. To "hate" something seems to take valuable energy and negativity...I do choose to be indifferent but I don't think hating all other teams would be productive for me. Besides when they are actually playing the Colts of course I'm cheering for us to win...but the next week when they are playing someone else...thats just a lot of hating...I guess you don't watch any highlights because no matter what a team you hate wins. I look at my way as having multiple ways to be happy....even if the Colts lose I can see the bright side of things.

[BOTT]

You may be weird (i don't know you personally lol) but its not weird to not like other teams. I just try to stay positive. To "hate" something seems to take valuable energy and negativity...I do choose to be indifferent but I don't think hating all other teams would be productive for me. Besides when they are actually playing the Colts of course I'm cheering for us to win...but the next week when they are playing someone else...thats just a lot of hating...I guess you don't watch any highlights because no matter what a team you hate wins. I look at my way as having multiple ways to be happy....even if the Colts lose I can see the bright side of things.

You are taking the word hate far too literally in this context

[dgambill]

You are taking the word hate far too literally in this context

Ahhh..well judging by the posts often times on these boards by some (not you necessarily) there is such negativity on all sorts of matters it makes me wonder about people. I just took you for your word before reviewing who was saying it. Your definately not one of those negative posters I'm talking about but we do have them. I feel where your coming from my friend! lol

[rko_kero]

_{I'm extremely disappointed in anyone contemplating cheering for the Patriots.}

 

_{For me, even if I tried really hard, and it made sense on why I was doing it, I'd still never be able to want to see those men in the ugly blue/flying elvis/whatever is going on there uniforms.}

[chad72]

To be honest, I will be glad when this game is over with so that we can all get back to the reality that there are a whole lot of other QBs and teams that are relevant too .

[GoPats]

To be honest, I will be glad when this game is over with so that we can all get back to the reality that there are a whole lot of other QBs and teams that are relevant too .

 

Pffft, like who???  ;)

[JerodMayo51]

To be honest, I will be glad when this game is over with so that we can all get back to the reality that there are a whole lot of other QBs and teams that are relevant too .

 

hehe aint that the truth!  Ive really been enjoying watching a lot of games this year and seeing all of these younger talents like Luck, Wilson, Foles, Dalton, Newton, Hoyer, A Smith and Kaepernick...

 

and a lot of the old savvy vets mixed in as well!   Heck, I even enjoyed the MNF where McCoy came in and actually had some clutch drives that won them that game.. Its fun when you can appreciate the sport of football as a whole.. I love my Patriots, but I also love the sport of football.

[Shane Bond]

_{I'm extremely disappointed in anyone contemplating cheering for the Patriots.}

_{For me, even if I tried really hard, and it made sense on why I was doing it, I'd still never be able to want to see those men in the ugly blue/flying elvis/whatever is going on there uniforms.}

lol

[GoPats]

I will settle for another muff punt from Welker. ;)

 

Well it wasn't a muffed punt, but will that do?

 

Obviously should have been a catch. It was a tough grab because the ball was thrown behind Welker, but he knew he was going to get his clock cleaned on that one. If I'm running any routes over the middle for Denver my head would be on a swivel too. 

[amfootball]

Well it wasn't a muffed punt, but will that do?

 

Obviously should have been a catch. It was a tough grab because the ball was thrown behind Welker, but he knew he was going to get his clock cleaned on that one. If I'm running any routes over the middle for Denver my head would be on a swivel too. 

Yeah, that might have been worse than the muff. He had time to catch it and get down but he took his eyes off it and it bounced up. I did feel bad that he got hurt. I really think he should think about calling it career after this season. He is not close to the same player anymore and he keeps racking up the injuries.

[GoPats]

Yeah, that might have been worse than the muff. He had time to catch it and get down but he took his eyes off it and it bounced up. I did feel bad that he got hurt. I really think he should think about calling it career after this season. He is not close to the same player anymore and he keeps racking up the injuries.

 

He's taken a lot of hits over the years but these past two seem like the worst. 

 

Edelman is a little bigger than Welker, I think that's going to help him be more durable. 

[Superman]

He's taken a lot of hits over the years but these past two seem like the worst. 

 

Edelman is a little bigger than Welker, I think that's going to help him be more durable. 

 

Back to your original topic, let's assume the Colts win this week, and let's assume they beat the Pats next week. I still don't think the Broncos lose two more games this year (anything is possible), and I don't think the Colts will win out. If we DO, though, we'll still have the two seed, at the very least. Long story short, I don't think the Pats win helped us at all.

[GoPats]

Back to your original topic, let's assume the Colts win this week, and let's assume they beat the Pats next week. I still don't think the Broncos lose two more games this year (anything is possible), and I don't think the Colts will win out. If we DO, though, we'll still have the two seed, at the very least. Long story short, I don't think the Pats win helped us at all.

 

Whatever you think is whatever you think, no issues here. I still disagree if you're looking at it in terms of shooting for that top seed and home field. The Patriots have opened this up for the rest of the AFC now, so it's a matter of who takes control down the stretch. They have a tough schedule coming up (NE, that is) but I don't think the Broncos will win out either. They're playing mostly on the road, and are now 1-2 away from Denver. And the win was a tight one against the Jets.

 

We won't know the real answer for another month or so, maybe 6 weeks. 

[Superman]

Whatever you think is whatever you think, no issues here. I still disagree if you're looking at it in terms of shooting for that top seed and home field. The Patriots have opened this up for the rest of the AFC now, so it's a matter of who takes control down the stretch. They have a tough schedule coming up (NE, that is) but I don't think the Broncos will win out either. They're playing mostly on the road, and are now 1-2 away from Denver. And the win was a tight one against the Jets.

 

We won't know the real answer for another month or so, maybe 6 weeks. 

 

The Broncos don't have to win out. We'd need them to lose two more, and we'd have to win out. Again, just talking about the probabilities, and I think our odds of getting a top two seed went down, not up. We have a very slightly increased shot at the 1 seed, but a much more decreased shot at the 2 seed. 

[amfootball]

The Broncos don't have to win out. We'd need them to lose two more, and we'd have to win out. Again, just talking about the probabilities, and I think our odds of getting a top two seed went down, not up. We have a very slightly increased shot at the 1 seed, but a much more decreased shot at the 2 seed. 

I think what is tough also for the Colts are the Steelers. If they take the North, they have the h-to-h against you so they could take the 3 seed from you as well.

[Superman]

I think what is tough also for the Colts are the Steelers. If they take the North, they have the h-to-h against you so they could take the 3 seed from you as well.

 

To me, 3 seed vs 4 seed isn't a big factor. You have to win in the wild card round, first of all, then you have to go on the road in the divisional round either way. If, by some chance, the 3 seed and 4 seed beat the 1 and 2, on the road, then you lose a home game in the championship round. It usually doesn't happen that way, especially when the Pats have either the 1 or the 2. 

 

And, I'm okay with going to Pittsburgh again, if that's what it comes to. I don't think they can play any better, and I don't think we'll play that poorly again. I'd rather have them in Indy, but again, I'd rather go anywhere other than Gillette in January. That's part of why I would have preferred to see the Pats lose. It would have put us in better position to take the 2 seed and push them down to the 3, or worse. And of course, I think the 1 is practically out of reach, barring a major meltdown by the Broncos (but even then, the Pats have the upper hand on getting the 1 in the event that the Broncos do falter). If the Pats had lost, our destiny for the 2 seed would be in our hands. Not anymore... Oh well.

[amfootball]

To me, 3 seed vs 4 seed isn't a big factor. You have to win in the wild card round, first of all, then you have to go on the road in the divisional round either way. If, by some chance, the 3 seed and 4 seed beat the 1 and 2, on the road, then you lose a home game in the championship round. It usually doesn't happen that way, especially when the Pats have either the 1 or the 2. 

 

And, I'm okay with going to Pittsburgh again, if that's what it comes to. I don't think they can play any better, and I don't think we'll play that poorly again. I'd rather have them in Indy, but again, I'd rather go anywhere other than Gillette in January. That's part of why I would have preferred to see the Pats lose. It would have put us in better position to take the 2 seed and push them down to the 3, or worse. And of course, I think the 1 is practically out of reach, barring a major meltdown by the Broncos (but even then, the Pats have the upper hand on getting the 1 in the event that the Broncos do falter). If the Pats had lost, our destiny for the 2 seed would be in our hands. Not anymore... Oh well.

If you beat the Pats next Sunday then you have the #2 seed in your hands.

[Superman]

If you beat the Pats next Sunday then you have the #2 seed in your hands.

Not really. The Steelers could win out. Technically, that hasn't changed though.

[amfootball]

Not really. The Steelers could win out. Technically, that hasn't changed though.

Steelers are not going to win out.

[jvan1973]

Steelers are not going to win out.

That doesn't change the fact that the colts don't hold the #2 seed in their hands. The steelers do if the colts beat the pats

[amfootball]

That doesn't change the fact that the colts don't hold the #2 seed in their hands. The steelers do if the colts beat the pats

Sure but this whole thread has been about probabilities. Right now the Bengals are in first place and still have two games vs the Steelers. I would put it as extremely low that the Steelers win out or even win the North. Whereas the Colts are pretty much a lock for the South.

[shakedownstreet]

[bLEEP] the patriots