Dungy should keep Colts starters in, go for 19-0

	If the Colts clinch homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, Colts coach Tony Dungy will likely limit Peyton Manning's playing time. Peter Read Miller/SI
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PHOENIX -- We've got an interesting subplot brewing in Indianapolis. Very interesting. And the next chapter plays out tonight in the RCA Dome.

Tony Dungy told me the other day if the Colts have clinched home-field advantage through the AFC playoffs -- and that could happen as soon as two weeks from now if the Broncos lose and the Colts keep winning -- he would not keep his starters in just to try to get to 19-0.

Now, we're getting pretty far ahead of ourselves, because the Colts certainly could lose to the Steelers tonight or in Jacksonville on Dec. 11. Then all of this is moot. But it's not moot right now. There are 24-hour-a-day talk show debates to spawn, and we're going to do that right now: Should Dungy have a bigger appreciation for football history, recognize that Peyton Manning and his band of merry men really want to go for the record (and recognize Manning never gets hurt) and go for the record if he can?

"Your whole plan is to win the Super Bowl,'' Dungy told me. "While it would be nice to be 16-0, it doesn't change our plan. If we happen to be that fortunate, to have a chance to clinch home-field before the end of the season, the plan would be the same whether we were 12-3 or 15-0. We'd be playing to win, but we may be playing some different players.''

Hello, Jim Sorgi.

"It's really kind of a no-brainer,'' Dungy told me. "As soon as the games aren't meaningful in the standings, [resting starters to preserve them for the playoffs] is something we'll think about. They don't give out rings for being 16-0. They give out rings for winning the Super Bowl. And everything we do will be with that goal in mind.''

Selfishly, if the Colts are 14-0 and have home-field locked entering the final two games (at Seattle, Arizona at home), I'd love to see Manning and this prolific offense go for it. Remember last year? The Colts called off the dogs at the end of the season, losing at Denver in a meaningless final game, 33-14. Then they went out with the varsity back on the field the next game and swamped the Broncos in a rematch, 49-24.

Sitting Manning: 19-point loss at Denver.

Playing Manning: 25-point home win over Denver.

I want to be able to get my dander up and tell Dungy to do what the fans would want, what the game would love and what, quite frankly, every person associated with football except Indy's foes down the stretch and the '72 Dolphins want to see. But I can't. I can't say Dungy's wrong. He's doing what I would do -- everything in his power to have his team ready for the divisional playoff game at the RCA Dome on Jan. 14 or 15.

Now, I'm sure Dungy won't make Manning inactive for either of the final two games. He'd more likely treat the game or games the way he treats a second or third preseason game, letting Manning play enough just to stay sharp for the playoffs. Two series, four series, six ... I don't know. But not many. And certainly not enough for Manning, which will be interesting. Manning loves football history. He likes to make football history too. And to be so close and then not to go for it ...  well, let's just say I'm betting Manning will be rooting like crazy for the Broncos to keep winning, just so the Colts have to keep playing.

Even though Dungy knows his team, he'll get ripped if they are rusty and lose a playoff game before reaching Super Bowl XL. But he'd get ripped worse if Manning, Edgerrin James or Marvin Harrison got injured trying to get to 16-0 against the mailing-it-in Cards on New Year's Day.

So I understand Dungy's logic. I agree with it. I just don't particularly like it. I'd like a team to sit there with Miami as a perfect team.