The only reason i can see the Colts trying to win this game is because Pagano probably feels like he has very little to do with the Colts playoff run. He probably thinks the interim coach may be better than him so he needs to prove that he is still in charge.

In response to ccnsd's comment:

cc,

young team. a win prepares them better for the playoffs (and future playoffs) than a loss.

not to mention houston will be their rival for years.

pagano jsu fought cancer. i dont think hes in any mood to do anything other than fight. 

now if they can do it thats another story

In response to bredbru's comment:

Arguments for the real Colts playing on Sunday:

Truth be told, the Colts are a pretty bad team and utterly undeserving of the playoffs, but they had a fourth place schedule plus two awful teams in their division that they each played twice.  Cheap wins are wins.

The Colts are working off the NFL's worst cap Hades situation -- paying off Peyton Manning who plays for the opponents while they try to field a team under their cap.  That's why gaining this regular season victory over rival Houston in week 17 could be an argument two years down the road for saving the coach's job.  It's all about appearance for the Colts.

Indy needs to learn the confidence to tell themselves, yes we can come back and beat a good team, we just did it last week.  Indy already snuck by Green Bay in week 5 but they flopped badly against Chicago and New England.  Who better than Houston?  Two weeks ago Indy was on the same field as Houston in the middle of the fourth quarter but they couldn't drive for the tying touchdown.

Finally, Coach Pagano can only pull the "I just recovered from cancer this week" excuse once, and this is the week.  "Tell em to go out and win one for the Zipper!"  Profiting off of your own life and death illness is a crass thing to say but real NFL coaches are mondo crass in their actions and motivations.  It's in a coach's blood to go out and win, and winning is almost the sole criteria for the coach's job tenure.  Bill Belichick will whisper smack in his players' ears, he'll put bulletin board material up, he'll put his shadow in the kicker's way to try to distract the kicker in practice, he'll do anything within reason.  What's really wrong with Coach Pagano playing a little trump card that he has?

If the Colts pull their chin straps tight, they are 2.6 point favorites to beat the Houston Texans in front of their home crowd at Indy's Lucas Dome.

Miami is as good as Baltimore these days but they probably don't like January weather.  They haven't been north since November 15.  I have New England by only 8.6 points, but we could see a bit more fight out of the Pats if New England sees a good chance of a bye week.

 If BB is 1/10 on the ball he will post Coach Pagano's message as bulletin board material.  Beat Miami and maybe get a bye.

"But we're still going to go beat the Texans."

Business as usual.

And that starts with Pagano in front of the room for meetings, addressing the players.

It's Pagano overseeing everything. Just as he did before being diagnosed with leukemia Sept. 26.

It's Pagano returning to his Monday night radio show.

It's Pagano rising early, reacquainting himself with the drive to the complex, the routine he followed before Sept. 26.

Arians arrived at the complex around 7 a.m. Monday.

Pagano "probably beat me here by two hours."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2012/12/24/chuck-pagano-indianapolis-colts-bruce-arians/1789743/

Arguments for the real Colts playing on Sunday:

Truth be told, the Colts are a pretty bad team and utterly undeserving of the playoffs, but they had a fourth place schedule plus two awful teams in their division that they each played twice.  Cheap wins are wins.

The Colts are working off the NFL's worst cap Hades situation -- paying off Peyton Manning who plays for the opponents while they try to field a team under their cap.  That's why gaining this regular season victory over rival Houston in week 17 could be an argument two years down the road for saving the coach's job.  It's all about appearance for the Colts.

Indy needs to learn the confidence to tell themselves, yes we can come back and beat a good team, we just did it last week.  Indy already snuck by Green Bay in week 5 but they flopped badly against Chicago and New England.  Who better than Houston?  Two weeks ago Indy was on the same field as Houston in the middle of the fourth quarter but they couldn't drive for the tying touchdown.

Finally, Coach Pagano can only pull the "I just recovered from cancer this week" excuse once, and this is the week.  "Tell em to go out and win one for the Zipper!"  Profiting off of your own life and death illness is a crass thing to say but real NFL coaches are mondo crass in their actions and motivations.  It's in a coach's blood to go out and win, and winning is almost the sole criteria for the coach's job tenure.  Bill Belichick will whisper smack in his players' ears, he'll put bulletin board material up, he'll put his shadow in the kicker's way to try to distract the kicker in practice, he'll do anything within reason.  What's really wrong with Coach Pagano playing a little trump card that he has?

If the Colts pull their chin straps tight, they are 2.6 point favorites to beat the Houston Texans in front of their home crowd at Indy's Lucas Dome.

Miami is as good as Baltimore these days but they probably don't like January weather.  They haven't been north since November 15.  I have New England by only 8.6 points, but we could see a bit more fight out of the Pats if New England sees a good chance of a bye week.

 If BB is 1/10 on the ball he will post Coach Pagano's message as bulletin board material.  Beat Miami and maybe get a bye.

I think the Colts go all out to win this game for one reason; they are division rivals. Think Pats / Jets. Do you think the Pats would lie down at home for the Jets a week before the playoffs? NO! Also Houston is 0-10 lifetime at Indy! Cmon Dolts one more win!

P.S. Brdbreu where were you Sunday, didnt see you in the game thread?

lots of gloom and doom on the game thread! hahaha Merry Christams to you and yours!

lots of gloom and doom on the game thread! hahaha Merry Christams to you and yours!

In response to Quagmire3's comment:

Should be an interesting game. If HOU gets the 1 seed, there's a chance that these two teams can play in the divisional round.

Will either team be able to show their hand? Playing 3 times in 5 weeks should bridge the gap. I think HOU is a way more talented team, but them playing this much against each other so soon should benefit Indy more.

Hopefully both teams will play without holding anything back, but who knows

i hope so, they can beat the texans at home if they play the game like they should. Since the Pats play a late game they will know by kickoff if they are playing for the first round bye.

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