INDIANAPOLIS — If only there was more time, maybe we could learn how the Colts really feel about the Jets and their trash talk about beating Indianapolis in Week 16. If a few more questions could have been asked and few more buttons pushed, maybe we would know if the Colts think the Jets are delusional for believing they would have won that game if Indianapolis hadn’t pulled most of their starters in the third quarter.
But because of an NFL-orchestrated rush job on podium appearances, the selected Colts were able to defuse any notion they’re miffed the Jets think they could have ended their perfect season with starters playing against starters.
Only defensive end Dwight Freeney hinted the Jets’ 29-15 victory at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 27 was a fluke.
“I think [the Jets] understand the game would have been a little different,” he said. “It wouldn’t have been like that. But Week 16 was in Week 16. This is the AFC Championship. If they want to talk about whatever happened in Week 16 to motivate them or whatever, that’s all good. Our [motivation] is the AFC Championship game — one more win to the Super Bowl. So we have to get something done.”
Linebacker Gary Brackett, the former Rutgers star, said simply: “Sunday at 3 o’clock we’re going to see what happens.”
That’s when the two teams meet again at Lucas Oil Stadium for the AFC Championship and a trip to Super Bowl XLIV. It’s not like we expected the Colts to engage in a verbal sparring match with the Jets. It’s not their way. Their professional, business-like approach has served them well first under Tony Dungy and now Jim Caldwell. It’s clear they would rather do their talking on the field Sunday.
“That’s how we’ve always handled things,” Caldwell said. “Maybe someone chooses to do things differently. Maybe that’s because it serves them and that’s what they feel comfortable with. In our particular case, our guys focus on what we have to get done and what we’re really trying to get done is get ourselves in the best position to function great within those white lines.”
Caldwell and the Colts took plenty of heat from their fans when Peyton Manning and several starters, including Freeney were pulled in the third quarter of the game against the Jets. Indianapolis was leading 15-10 at the time and working on a 15-0 season. The Jets, 7-7, rallied to win the game, the first of an incomparable four-game winning strike that has made them the surprise team of the postseason.
Already Jets coach Rex Ryan has made headlines saying he would be “shocked” if the Jets don’t win Sunday, a comment that failed to ruffle the Colts.
“For him to say that, I understand it,” Freeney said. “They have to do what they have to do. I would be surprised if he didn’t say that. That’s what he’s supposed to say. It doesn’t really surprise me.”
Added Brackett: “It is what is. That’s their macho. They get it from their coach. That’s his M.O. But I’d be confident, too, if I won two road games and one game that I probably shouldn’t have. Every football team has a little bit of confidence.”
Something tells me under that stoic exterior the Colts are miffed the Jets think they would have won Week 16 fair and square. What better setting than the AFC Championship game to prove them wrong.
“We’ll never know what the outcome of that game would have been,” Colts receiver Reggie Wayne said. “But we have this game here. We’re definitely playing a full game.”
Sunday at 3 o’clock we’re going to see what happens.