^{Copyright © 2009 Jay Charles Johnson, all rights reserved}

The last week in most Fantasy leagues ended on a rather odd note. There was more discussion and controversy about the Colts players who didn’t play an entire game, than there was about those who finished their matchup in other contests.

Certainly we were all given fair warning by the Colts organization that this scenario might unfold - but it still didn’t sit very well with many fans.  In particular, it raised the ire of those who attended the game in Indianapolis, who went so far as to boo their 14-0 home team (which has got to be unprecedented).

On to this week’s player notes, that does not include those involved in the Monday night contest of the Bears hosting the Vikings.

Quarterbacks:

Peyton Manning

It was not so much that Peyton Manning was pulled from the game - it was the way it was done.  Conventional wisdom was that if he and the other starters were to be rested, they would play just one series and leave (as had been done in prior years).  Or, in the alternative, they would leave when the game was comfortably in hand – let’s say by 21-28 points at halftime or with a 2 TD lead in the fourth quarter.

Instead, Manning left with the team ahead only by a 15-10 margin with 5 minutes to go in the third quarter.  The game was turned over to rookie Curtis Painter, who had never taken a regular season snap in the NFL (and played like it).  The Colts went on to lose to the Jets 29-15.

This decision prevented the Colts from making history by possibly being the first team in NFL history to go 16-0 in the regular season and win the Super Bowl.  No matter how this ultimately plays out, there will always be the “What if Peyton had played the entire game?” debate that will never be answered.

I can understand the rationale to pull Manning and others to avoid the risk of injury.  But, if that is the case, why have them play at all?  Or if you do have them play, why not just a token series and then have them exit – why leave them in for 40 minutes?

Meanwhile, Manning’s Fantasy owners who did start him didn’t fair that well.  His numbers for the day were just 14 of 21 for 182 yards and no TDs.

Coach Jim Caldwell and team president Bill Polian made a pragmatic decision that they don’t think will have any negative consequences.  They may be right, but if this is how they are trying to motivate the Colts players to get up for the playoffs, they seem to be going about it in the wrong way, as there were a lot of unhappy faces on the sideline.  The coming weeks will tell us if this indeed was the smart move or not.

Tom Brady

Those who owned Brady and survived his prior two substandard weeks to make their Fantasy championship were richly rewarded, as the Patriots made it a statement game against the Jaguars with a dominating 35-7 win.  Brady passed for 267 yards, 4 TDs and no INTs.  New England seems to have bounced back to top form as we approach the playoffs.  

Drew Brees

It was not a particularly good day for Brees and the Saints – either from a real world or Fantasy perspective.  Although they had already clinched a playoff birth, they were still going for the top seed in their conference.  But that was not enough, as the team dropped its second game in a row, this time being upset by Tampa Bay 20-17.

Brees numbers were OK, throwing for 258 yards and 1 TD.  However the team’s offense has looked a big sluggish in recent weeks and they will need to get their mojo back in the season finale facing a surging Carolina team.  If they go into the playoffs on the heels on three straight losses, they will likely be one-and-done.

Donovan McNabb

If you believe in trends, look at how Donovan McNabb has progressed in recent weeks:

Week 13 @ ATL –  238 yards, 1 TD

Week 14 @ NYG – 275 yards, 2 TD

Week 15  v. SFO  – 306 yards, 1 TD

Week 16  v. DEN – 322 yards, 3 TD

The passing game certainly seems to be coming together late in the season.  The finale is on the road against the Cowboys.  In their last matchup, the Eagles lost 16-20 and McNabb was held to just 227 yards and 1 TD.  However with the NFC division title on the line, I expect this to be a high scoring game, so get out the popcorn.