What are the chances of the Colts winning the Super Bowl in '09 after the loss from sitting their starters?

If the Colts make it to the AFC Championship game, they will likely face the Patriots or Chargers. And, either of those teams can beat the Colts, even in Indianapolis.

With the #1 seed and the Chargers at #2, the only way they'll meet in the playoffs is the AFC Championship game. I think the Patriots will hang onto the #3 spot, where they'll host whoever makes it at #6. I think the Jets will stay at #5 (Cincy will rest their starters in the evening game after New England clinches the #3 spot against the Texans in the morning game). And, I can't see the Ravens losing to the Raiders. So, I expect Baltimore to remain at #6.

If that happens, the Ravens go to New England in January, where the advantage is clearly with the Patriots. The Jets then go to Cincinnati and I can't see a rookie QB (Sanchez) beating a team who will be playing with Chris Henry as their motivation to win. So, I can then see the Bengals going to Indy and the Patriots going to San Diego for the Divisional Playoffs.

I don't think the time off will hurt the Chargers. They're a lot of the same players who got torched in the second round after a first round bye by the Patriots in 2006. If they stay healthy at home against the Redskins this weekend, they'll be ready to knock New England out of the playoffs (returning the favor from 2006 and the 2007 AFC Championship game, which they almost won if not for a bonehead fumble on a run back of an interception in the end zone by Marlon McCree).

With all the hoopla surrounding the Colts' loss last week, I can't see them not being ready to host the second round game. If they come out rusty and unprepared, Caldwell will probably get run out of town on a rail. So, I don't see the Bengals winning that game, which sets up a Colts - Chargers AFC Championship game in Indy.

Unlike their bad performances in the playoffs against the Patriots, the Chargers have had success against the Colts - even at Indy. And, if that's the Championship game, I'll take the Chargers.

If the Colts do manage to get to the Super Bowl, I think they can beat anyone in the NFC. Against Minnesota, the Vikings would be the sentimental favorite (because of Favre). But, they're backing into the playoffs and, if they lose their third in a row next week, that will really rattle their confidence. They may even lose their #2 seeding (and first round bye).

I don't know what to think about the Saints. About a month ago, I would have put them as the runaway favorite from the NFC. But, their defense is taking on water and that offensive scoring machine is leaking oil lately. Also, with their limited playoff experience, I think this is the team that will most likely be hurt by resting their starters this weekend.

My favorite in the NFC was the Eagles, until their starting center blew out his knee last weekend and is now out for the season. This happened to the Chargers in Week 1 of the regular season and it affected their offense for about a month. So, not only do I see the Eagles losing the NFC East championship to the Cowboys this weekend, I think they'll go one-and-done in the first week of the playoffs.

The only thing Dallas has going against them is their reputation for choking when the games really matter. But, they may shake that monkey off their backs with a win over Philly and the first round bye. In that case, I think they can go all the way to the Super Bowl. But, the media frenzy surrounding them for those two weeks may go to their heads (I think it's why they choked in the past). So, I would take the Colts.

The sleepers are the Cardinals and the Packers. The Cards are still in the running for a first round bye (if the Eagles and Vikings both lose this weekend) and they have Super Bowl experience. The Packers quietly racked up the fourth most points in the NFL (only the Saints, Chargers and Eagles had more). And, Aaron Rodgers is probably the most underrated quarterback in the NFL.

Still, I would take the Colts to win the Super Bowl against any team in the NFC. I just don't know if they can get past San Diego or New England to get there.

Easy there fella. I know that loss is still working ya but man Caldwell had little to do with their loss. The Colts were prepared, motivated and geared to win that game which is why they were able to dominate the first quarter. The real reason the Colts lost was the same reason why they have lost every other season and why other "great" qb's never win titles. Peyton, no matter how good he is, has a "stud" complex and that never bolds well at that position. So what do you get? Several of their teams early last decade that had far more talent were held back because of Peyton's need to show im the "stud" and throw the ball 40+ times a game and they lost in the playoffs for that reason. The only time he won a title was when he got out of the way and managed the game properly. Take Tommy Brady for ex., the guy has a weak arm and tends to throw pics in big games but when the Pats used him to simply manage the game they won 3 SB's and the year he was to carry the team he couldn't get it done. The fact is QB's don't win games they lose them and if you don't have an organization set up to control their ego you wont win consistently in the playoffs. So no, don't fault Jim Caldwell he's not the guy that checks out of running plays at the line and on a key third down push the ball down the field instead of taking 5 yards on a check down(I wanted to kick Peyton's butt after they missed the field goal) and setting your kicker up for a solid attempt. It was not Jim Caldwell that had several bad throws, before the Int., or that stared down Reggie Wayne. Fault Peyton and the Colts as an organization for not controlling his ego! If you don't believe me look at the difference between the careers of these qb's. Elway- Didn't win until they decided to run Marino- Never ran the ball and never won because of it Favre- Only was great when Holmgren was able to keep him in check *They need a great D- This notion of getting their defense far better is hogwash! The cap doesn't allow complete teams anymore and the only thing they can do is help the D out by limiting their time on the field.

They've got as good a chance as anybody, if not better. They looked fine against the Jets when the starters were in. It was very disappointing though that they did not go after the undefeated season. I don't even like the Colts but I would have liked to have seen another undefeated team heading into the Super Bowl...it makes it so much more interesting!

Yes I am a Colts fan, born and raised in Indy. As a non biased opinion, I would say the only thing that it helped out with is putting things in perspective. They know now that any team can beat anyone on any given day. GO COLTS!

PS Curtis Painter is a Douche Bag. 4 play drive netted 0 yards.

Well, if you look at Indy's trends the seasons they make the playoffs, when they rest their starters they do not make it through the playoffs. The only time they made it to the Super Bowl they had to fight all the way through to the end of the regular season. It has nothing to do with winning or losing this week's game. I expect them to be out of the playoffs again.

Its one loss, the colts have a chance at winning the superbowl like every playoff team.

but my opinion they might make it but wont win. The loss from sitting their starters wont have anything to do with it.

Still better than most.

They need to play their starters for at least a full half this week to keep them from getting rusty going into the bye week.

I think if they play them enough to keep that consistancy and chemistry, they have a great chance

Its as good as anyone else's. Twelve teams make the playoffs and they are probably one of the best 4 teams. I'll say 1 in 4.

good chances but i think patriots will get the revenge. please no one say i am on they bandwagon i liked them way before they were good