Andy Richardson

Ever think something is going to happen and still been totally stunned when it actually did? That's kind of the feeling after the Colts yanked their starters with a 5-point lead in the second half, and got blown off the field from that point forward. There will be 100 columns about that game, though, so let's first spend some time talking about all the others. Because it's Championship week, and there were a whole lot of other big plays and outcomes that got us to this point, so off we go....

Pre-game: Much talk about the Colts, and whether they'd rest starters or not. I went back and forth on it myself, and ended up starting Austin Collie (who I figured would stay in) and benching Dallas Clark (who I figured would get an early rest). I said to myself, I know they're undefeated and I know they want to win. I just didn't want to rest my fortunes on them behaving differently in this week then they had in previous years (albeit when not undefeated): pulling starters early on. So I benched Clark, started Brent Celek, and crossed my fingers.

Early games: Browns start the scoring off with a quick touchdown for Jerome Harrison; he was basically untouched as he went in. Curious that the Browns waited so long to get their best running back an opportunity to be featured, but I suppose it will be called "grooming him," or something.

Matt Ryan to Roddy White against a Bills secondary that has been one of the best all season. Clearly the week's injury developments, including a couple of players going on IR, had an impact.

Ben Watson stopped just short of the goal line. Laurence Maroney proceeds to fumble at the 1-yard line, just as he did a few weeks back against the Colts. In case you're wondering why three other Patriots runners got more carries than Maroney did yesterday, that's probably why.

At the Meadowlands, a touchdown pass to the Giants' Steve Smith erased by a holding penalty. Pretty play, too.

In Pittsburgh, Rashard Mendenhall drops an easy TD from Roethlisberger - ouch. Right in his hands. On the next play, Roethlisberger is lucky to avoid an interception. I'm still shaking my head about the drop.

In Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers throws a little screen to Brandon Jackson for a touchdown, and it's clear already that the rout is on.

In New Orleans, Pierre Thomas touchdown. Totally untouched. Heard on the pregame that Bill Cowher to the Bucs is possible; that Raheem Morris' job is in jeopardy. I'm no big Morris fan, but the Bucs are just horrible -- what could he have done with that trainwreck? I'm sure Cowher could have gotten them to 3-13. Shortly thereafter, Thomas leaves the game with bruised ribs, helping those of us facing the guy in our Super Bowls. This has happened to me a few times this season, including a narrow win over a team that had Felix Jones when he was replacing Barber and running wild. Needless to say, luck is pretty important in this game.

In New England, Randy Moss alone in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. Yeah, don't want to cover him down there. Later, Brady to...Chris Baker, TD. Jacksonville just seems to have no idea how to cover receivers.

Darren Sharper INT. That's why he wanted to play today. Brees to Meachem TD. Uncovered. Fire Raheem Morris.

In Cincinnati, Carson Palmer is picked off on a long bomb intended for Andre Caldwell, double-covered. I note that there's no score in this game, which is a little surprising, but it's kind of how the Bengals have done things lately. They're not entering the playoffs on a roll.

Matt Schaub throws touchdowns to Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones. Texans are up big. Miami will come back, but it's a pretty big hole.

Greg Jennings tackled inside the 5; he'd caught a long pass to get down there. Ryan Grant dives over the pylon on the next play; I'm rooting for it since I'm not facing Grant.

Mendenhall rushing touchdown. Just not fair to those of us starting Roethlisberger. He should give his points to Big Ben.

Arian Foster rushing touchdown. That was supposed to happen LAST week. Dolphins getting smoked. Things starting to look better for Jets (who win a tiebreaker with Texans, but not Dolphins).

Justin Forsett looking good against the Packers. They might want to feature him instead of wasting time giving the ball to Julius Jones. The two split the carries, Forsett runs for twice as many yards. Kind of a telling stat. Hasselbeck picked off on third down near the goal line; ball tipped. Green Bay's playoff chances looking good with Giants losing, them winning. If these scores hold, and the Cowboys win in Washington, the NFC playoff field will be set, with only seeding left to be determined.

Ray Rice running on the Steelers. Will wonders never cease. Todd Heap touchdown. Surprised he wasn't ruled down short of the goal line, which the refs seem to like to do on those close plays.

Bengals have no points against Kansas City, bad for those of us who started players like Shayne Graham. Good grief.

Sammy Morris big run. Morris short touchdown. Sorry, Laurence Maroney.

Mendenhall fumble. Get that stiff out of there and have Roethlisberger pass the ball. Ray Rice fumble. Not his fault! Keep feeding him the rock! Yes, I do have Rice in all my leagues, why do you ask?

Eli Manning INT. Defender jumped a slant. Panthers pass defense, very good. Panthers score on a little flip to an uncovered Jeff King. Giants fans saying goodbye to the Giants playing at the Meadowlands with a chorus of boos. When the Giants look good, they really look good. But when they play bad, Wow.

In Cincinnati, Bengals finally in field goal range....or maybe some kind of score. Incredible scramble, throw, and catch to Chad Ochocinco. Except....it's reviewed and erased, because Ochocinco stepped out of bounds prior to the reception. Ouch. Although, good for those of us who started Shayne Graham.

Ryan Grant touchdown. Essentially untouched. Packers in playoffs.

Randy Moss touchdown. Again totally uncovered. It's really shocking. And the Jags are/were in the running for a playoff spot.

Roethlisberger to Holmes touchdown, because as we've pointed out here once or twice, Holmes against the Ravens is one of the safest bets in fantasy football. Also uncanny.

Packers get close after another big play to Greg Jennings. Seattle, like Jacksonville, has no concept of coverage on wide receivers. Jermichael Finley catches a pass and is tackled just short of the goal line. He's good, and the Packers know it. Two plays later, Packers lose a touchdown right before the half on a penalty. Settle for a field goal.

In Cleveland, Sebastian Janikowski ends the half with a 61-yard field goal. I've seen the Raiders try this several times without hitting one. But they do. Eric Mangini looks ticked about it, as well. But he looks that way a lot.

Second half begins at Giants Stadium with Steve Smith catching a touchdown. Er, Carolina's Steve Smith. Gets up holding his wrist and it kind of looks like it's dangling. Hope he's OK. (He's not.) Most of his owners can't complain anyway about his playoff performance the last two weeks. Thanks Steve.

David Garrrad INT in the end zone. Not entirely sure who it was intended for. Jaguars will be making some changes this offseason. Again.

Cedric Benson heating up. About time. AFC North on the line here, guys.

Another touchdown for Todd Heap. Almost started him over Heath Miller. Almost.

Brandon Jackson touchdown. As expected, the rout is on and the backups are scoring in bunches. Later, he adds a 3rd score. If you started him, congrats, but you probably didn't.

Randy Moss touchdown. No. 3. Can't bench the guy, because weeks like this are always possible.

Tony Gonzalez out hurt after just 2 catches. Bad luck for someone.

Derrick Mason drops an easy, perfectly thrown touchdown that would have put them ahead late. Guh. Later, Flacco takes a bad sack to knock them out of field goal range, and then a Ravens interception on Pittsburgh's last possession is erased by a penalty. Considering they lost a game in New England on another bad drop by Mark Clayton, and in Minnesota on a missed field goal at the gun, a lot of tough losses in Baltimore this year.

The other Steve Smith scores. The one who didn't break his arm on an earlier score.

Touchdown to Ted Ginn wiped out by a tripping penalty. Perfectly thrown bomb from Henne to Ginn. Ginn appears to have a good game just often enough to avoid being benched entirely.

Huge day for Jonathan Stewart, capped by a ridiculous touchdown run where half the Giants defense fails to tackle him. Packers in, Giants likely out. Bengals clinch the North on a clutch late drive. Say this for the Bengals, there is some grit and toughness there. Maybe they can win a game in the playoffs.

Late games: In Indianapolis, Thomas Jones running very well for Jets. Colts are playing their starters as the game wears on toward halftime. Jets try a reverse that results in a 14-yard loss, setting up a punt and killing an OK-looking drive. Somebody needs to run a study on how many reverses end up in positive plays, and how many end up in negative yardage and injuries to quarterbacks and/or wide receivers. I feel like I've seen a lot more of the latter than the former over the year. Colts get a long catch and run to Austin Collie. Nice play. Sets up a near TD to Reggie Wayne, but the ball is slightly off target. Field goal.

In Philly, Eagles near goal line. Leonard Weaver carry. Direct snap to Westbrook lined up at quarterback. McNabb to DeSean Jackson touchdown. Jackson, fantasy MVP? He's in the conversation. Brandon Stokley smacks an official's hand and gets ejected. Not too smart in a must-win situation for Denver.

Larry Fitzgerald touchdown. Easy.

Manning just misses Dallas Clark on a possible touchdown, at the very least a long completion. Off a hand. Jets move into field goal range. Sanchez gets sacked by half the Colts roster. Actually it was just Dwight Freeney, but he looked like about 8 players.

Warner to Boldin, completion near the goal line, very similar to the play that was turned into a running play last week (but more clearly a forward pass). Boldin kept out, barely, to the relief of us facing him. Tomorrow we'll learn it was a rushing attempt and those with Boldin who won by a point now lose.

Long touchdown to Brent Celek, and the Richardson household goes wild. Not only do the Broncos not cover him, but it looks as if their safety held up when he could have hit him short of the goal line. Thank you.

Jets start the second half with a kick return TD. Basically untouched. Colts march the field. Starters still in, except for Joseph Addai,. who's been long gone. Called that one right. And thus far Manning, Wayne, and Clark aren't winning anyone any fantasy titles.

Brandon Gibson touchdown for the Rams. A really nice leaping catch. I've got two Rams wideouts in my dynasty league, because hey, one of them has to turn into a good player and not break his leg or something, right?

Alex Smith TD to Vernon Davis. Sure looked like he was over the line of scrimmage. Challenge failed. I was wrong on the Philip Rivers to Antonio Gates touchdown on Christmas, and I'm wrong on this one, too.

Best game of the afternoon is in Philadelphia, where the Eagles build a huge lead, lose it, and then win on a spectacular sideline grab by Jeremy Maclin (initially ruled incomplete but reversed). Kyle Orton shaky, though he throws 3 TDs. Knowshon Moreno scores, but has a poor day. Game runs long but finally ends, so we can start talking about the game in Indy.

With a 15-10 lead, Colts pull their starters. Jets quickly force Curtis Painter to fumble, resulting in a touchdown, then score twice more for good measure. Nice games from Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones, and the Jets defense (although aided greatly by Peyton Manning being benched).

Everybody has an opinion on the Colts' decision, and I was stunned to see NBC's Rodney Harrison and Tony Dungy (OK, not so stunned about that one) basically saying it was all right -- that the goal is to win a Super Bowl, not to have a perfect season. Well, as Troy Polamalu might say, Isn't it? Another nice quote from Herm Edwards, you play to win the game. In essence, every team wants to win every week -- right? They are trying to win when they take the field. So the goal IS a perfect season; the goal is to win. Every time you play.

Yes, the Colts could have got somebody hurt. Never mind that Manning wasn't touched and hasn't missed a game in a dozen years, he certainly could have been. So I get it: they pulled starters to avoid them getting hurt.

Did they not get hurt? Losing a chance at football immortality, losing momentum, losing perfection, when it was right there -- and not because another team kicked your butt, like with New Orleans, but because you handed the league MVP a baseball cap. Tell me that's not going to hurt the Colts more than any injury short of Manning. If they lose in the playoffs, this game is what will be talked about. And if they go on to win the Super Bowl, I STILL think they'll talk about what could have been.

Monday, Monday: Everyone knows I'm a Favre fan, so some history. I lost a Super Bowl two years ago when Favre played a week 16 game in Chicago and was awful in frigid temperatures. And here we are again, and I'm starting Favre, again. Another chance to get it right. Or, well, wrong. I like the Vikings to win this game on the ground, with Adrian Peterson and their defense leading the way. But maybe Favre will throw a couple of TDs, I'll win my Super Bowl, and Favre and Brad Childress will stand together on the sidelines in the final few minutes, smiling. And meanwhile Peyton Manning will be watching on TV saying, Dang, I should have told Jim Caldwell that if you want me out of this game, you better come out on the field to drag me off, because there's no other way it's going to happen.

My guess is that he's at least thinking it.

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