Wow.
That's all I can say.
Losing to the Patriots hurts. Watching the Colts fall to the Chargers doesn't really make it any better, but a Colts loss is a Colts loss.
It's amazing the difference in perception between the Jaguars and the Colts. For us, advancing in the Playoffs and losing a very good game to the Patriots leaves us with a solid season, one that can be viewed with great pride as we build on it for next season.
The Colts, on the other hand, have a season that ended in absolute disappointment. For them, anything less than a Championship is a failure, and losing in their first playoff game to the Chargers, with their backups no less, has to hurt.
I'm stunned, frankly, that they lost. They finally get completely healthy and then this happens. Such is the NFL though. I wish we could have been the "Any Given" game, but at least we won't have another season of "World Champion Colts".
I'd like to be happier about their loss, but I can't. I just can't do it. Maybe I thought they would be the Patriot Killers, maybe I could look pass our own double loss to the Colts if they won it all, but something is just not right about the Colts being eliminated. Normally I celebrate a Colts defeat, but this just feels like an absolute waste.
That said, I'll say with pride that the Jaguars were the only team to win in the 2008 Playoffs. That's something you can hang your hat on, at least until training camp starts.
As for me, I'm starting to formulate my "Off-Season" plan for Big Cat Country. We've got a lot to address, in our roster, in the draft, in free-agency, etc and only six months to do it.
Wow, Six Months. Seems like an eternity.
I'll be back later tonight with some thoughts about the Patriots game.
-Chris