64/60 Sports Presents: Rubbin One Off and Coming Right At You, My Thoughts On The Week In Sports

In a matter of two weeks the Colts have went from 14-0 and in pursuit of perfection to perhaps the team with the most pressure going into the playoffs. Two weeks ago the Colts called in the troops and waived the white flag stating loudly that the playoffs is all that matters to us. Last Sunday however that sure didn't appear to be the case. In terrible weather conditions at Buffalo Peyton Manning got the start to continue his consecutive start streak, while both Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark played long enough to both catch 100 passes on the season. It took just over a quarter to accomplish these feat and it appears that no injuries were sustained but what benefit to the team did playing bring. You are still going to be "rusty" at the start of your first playoff round game. You have already said goodbye to the Perfect Season and as I have mentioned the playing conditions weren't bad they were terrible.

Jim Caldwell has done a great job this season. He had the pressure of replacing a legend in Tony Dungy. He managed to guide the team to a 14-0 mark which was quite an accomplishment considering the various injuries at WR and their best defensive player in Bob Sanders. But his actions over the last two weeks have set the bar at Super Bowl or Bust. Had the Colts run the table or at least attempted then they would be remembered in the same light as the Patriots of 07 and although that team did not win the Championship I firmly believe that they will be remembered for years to come which is a rare accomplishment for a non-Super Bowl winning team. Once again the Colts have been on cruise control for a better part of a month. Hopefully this year they can avoid the one and done in the playoffs. Should they fail in their pursuit at least Colts fans can look back on 09 thinking about Manning's streak and those 100 receptions for Clark and Wayne.

* Speaking on injuries to playoff teams who had it wrapped up. In typical Belicheck fashion the majority of his starters played the entire game. However Wes Welker tore his MCL and will be done for the year. Tough break but even critics of the choice to play Welker would have a hard time find fault with this. The injury happened on the first play(when nearly every team plays starters for at least two possesion) and the injury was sustained without contact.

* The first round of the playoffs looks pretty similar to Week 17. Packers return to the desert to play the Cardinals. Jets and Bengals square off this time in the Queen City and the Eagles face the Cowboys and hope to avoid a 3 game sweep at the hands of the Cow Pokes. I am looking for all three games to have opposite outcomes. The Cards will actually care. The Bengals will show some offense and take advantage of the Sanchez lead Jets. Finally it's Wade Phillips vs. Andy Reid. I'll take the Eagles.

* CNNSI.com had the headline of Jim Zorn out as Redskins coach. Isn't that beyond the point of news by now? Shannahan will be announced as soon as they interview a minority to abide by the Rooney rule. Speaking of the Rooney rule is it just me or in situations such as this isn't it more demeaning to minorities to be handled in this manner.

* The looming lockout of 2011 can be thanked for having the Lovie Smith's, John Fox, Raheem Morris's still employeed for next year. All coaching positions haven't been determined yet but it appears that most teams that have a coach under contract will retain them for next season to avoid buying them out and then paying a coach during a lockout. This will likely keep Cowher, Gruden, Billick and others off the field for the 2010 season.

* Super Bowl Prediction. Colts vs. Eagles

* The Bowl Season is nearing it's end. It has been a pretty good Bowl year for the most part. Nothing prior to New Year's Day would be considered a classic. Oklahoma vs. Stanford was entertaining and Idaho's big Bowl win was a nice story I suppose. My Pac 10 didn't perform the way I had predicted they would but everyone can make a mistake every once in a while. Things have been good since New Years Day. Northwestern vs. Auburn has been the most entertaining game so far. Anytime a QB attempts 70 some passes you are going to be entertained. The Wildcats overcame 6 TO's and 4 missed FG's to take it to Overtime only to fall 38-35 after a fake FG attempt fall's short at the 2 yard line. Auburn had the game won on two occasions as players came onto the field but various penatlies kept the Cats alive. Pat Fitzgerald is a big time coach in waiting. I also would like to apologize to Gene Chizik. He was perhaps the most ridiculed coaching hire I can remember yet he posted a 9 Win season and the Tigers look to be a contender next year in the SEC. Oregon vs. Ohio State was a little bit disappointing. I was looking forward to a offensive showcase with two distinct offensive philosophies at work. Instead it was a defensive battle with a few big runs from Pryor mixed in. Florida vs. UC was your typical big Bowl blowout that happens each year. It was fitting that Christ himself had such a big game in his final outing. The Second Fiddle National Title was decided last night with Boise State getting the 17-10 win. This was another contest where I expected more offense but the game came down to the wire and was fairly entertaining. Boise State will return 21 of 22 starters next year and will likely bring a top 5 rating into the season. With out of conference games against both Oregon State on the road and Virginia Tech at a neutral sight another perfect season will have them in the National Title Game.

* The 2010 Hall of Fame Class will be announced tommorrow. With no Big Time players new to the ballot expect players from ballots of years past to earn enough votes for election. So with that in mind I think the class of 2010 will be Andre Dawson, Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar. Dawson was a power speed threat who was a great fielder and played his entire career on two bad legs. Blyleven may not have the best W-L record in history but great career numbers in ERA 3.31 WHIP 1.19 and 3701K's are a measurement of his greatness. Alomar has the statistics to be consider the greatest of all time at his position.