Play the starters

Resting your players is important, but going into the playoffs with momentum is important, too. It's hard to carry momentum and be "red-hot" when you lose games near the end of the regular season. I think both coaches understand this, and will play to win.

Billy T., Seattle

If the Colts were still undefeated by the time they come to Seattle, it would be a travesty if they didn't play their regulars the whole way. And, if the Seahawks have playoff positioning wrapped up, they too should play their regulars to try to upset the Colts' undefeated season. The undefeated season is so rare in pro football, teams should go for it when they have the chance.

Ian D., Leavenworth

I believe both teams should play the regulars. Football is a tough, timing game. To remove your starters for a game at that point in the season will only hurt the teams come playoff time.

Scott C., Vernon, Conn.

I think it would be a slap in the face to the fans if either team would play scrubs instead of the starters for the whole game. I've been looking forward to this game all season.

Matt C., Port Townsend

It is not good to rest players, Seattle must wrap up home-field advantage, period. You also want momentum going into the playoffs, and with a bye week, the rested players have had too long a period without game contact. Play them, they probably want to play, too.

Rick C., Port St. Lucie, Fla.

There is a simple reason that wild card teams continually make runs deep into the playoffs, it is because they play full tilt through year end and are hitting on all cylinders when the postseason hits. I would rather have a sore QB that is focused, instead of a rested one that is trying to get his rhythm back.

Darin L., Snohomish

The players are paid to play. The name of the game is to put your best team on the field to win. These are the two best teams in the NFL, and it would not sit well with the fans to see the second or third string go at it as a preview of a possible Super Bowl. The winner of this game would by all rights have already proven who is the better team if they play their starters.

Steven B.

This is going to be a big game that will be nationally televised. The fans deserve to see these two teams' best players go at it. Benching your starters is not a good idea as long as they are healthy. If you play the bench and they get hurt you may sacrifice depth during the playoffs. Either way, a coach should not live in fear.

Neil V., Seattle

The Seahawks will not wrap up home field advantage until the last game of the season and the Colts will more than likely come into the game undefeated. Neither team will rest their starters. Even if the above scenario does not come to pass, both teams will be preparing for the playoffs. Both teams will have a bye for the first round of the playoffs and cannot afford time off for the starters. They will want to maintain as much consistency as possible and will need the playing time!

Steve D., Cumming, Ga.

I am a die-hard Hawks fan and this will be the only home game I can attend this year because I will be home for Christmas. I would be very disappointed if one of the best games of the year turned into an exhibition game. With the plane flight and tickets for the game, to see backups would be a shame. Both teams need to play straight up. How could Indy possibly be 14-0 and rest people?

Jim P., Tucson, Ariz.

You cannot play "what if". The players and the fans deserve to go out and play like they can. I would say only sit someone if he is running out of gas and has requested a breather. Otherwise, this is football and the player are paid to perform. The fans expect it and I believe the players expect it.

Troy F., Yakima

I have not been this hopeful for the Seahawks since before the 1984 season, after Seattle lost to the Raiders in the 1983 AFC Championship game. With a 9-2 record, it is now up to coach Holmgren and the players to meet the growing expectations. An NFL coach should consider that complacency might be as dangerous as risking injury to your starting players in the final weeks of the season. I would finish by saying that if the Colts are still undefeated on Dec. 24, they better play their starters or NFL history should put an asterisk next to their undefeated record. Go Seahawks.

James W., Washington, D.C.

I think that having a perfect season is bigger than a Super Bowl win. Who remembers the Super Bowl winners year after year? EVERYBODY remembers the Dolphins' perfect season in '72. I don't remember the Mariners' stats year after year, but I definitely remember the 116 wins in 2001! I was a season ticket holder and now my sons are. We will be very disappointed if Peyton Manning and Shaun Alexander don't play in this game. As for the chance of getting hurt, players run that risk in every game of every season...this game is no different. I'm sure if Alexander was as close to the rushing record as he was last year, he would rather play.

Tamie S., Renton

Of course you play the best and risk whatever is necessary. The Hawks are having a great year, and as a 20-year fan, I proudly display my Seahawks license plate frame in Chiefs' county! The chance to beat the only undefeated team in the league is unprecedented. We can take 'em!!

Debra W., Kansas City

I think they should play each other with their starters. It is a big game. They say the Seahawks haven't played a good team. Let's see a preview of the Super Bowl! Go Hawks!

Alex B., Seattle

It's worth the risk. From what I've seen, it's better to go into the playoffs with momentum than with rest. One week won't make one iota of a difference. We need to keep the team pumped and ready to play. I'd be horrendously disappointed if one of the biggest games of the year (Seahawks vs. Colts) turns out to be a battle of the second strings. It should be a preview of the Super Bowl to come, except that we'll be able to see it here in Seattle.

Anthony L., Kirkland

Any coach or player that doesn't do their best to win any game is doing the sport and the fans an injustice. It's one thing to rest your players after the game is in hand, but that's a lot different from not doing your best to win. And to give up a chance for a perfect season would be absolutely absurd. One team has done it in the history of the game and if you don't want to join that group then you don't even deserve to be coaching.

Tony E., Maple Valley

I don't care what Dungy says at this point, wait another three weeks and if the Colts are still 14-0 I can't see how the players' pride will allow them to just play chump in this game. These guys are all professional athletes. Yeah a Super Bowl is the ultimate prize but I would argue that sharing the record for being one of only two teams to go undefeated in an NFL season will far outlast the honor and notoriety of going 15-1 and winning Super Bowl XL.

Jonathan M., Seattle

As a season ticket holder, I would be pretty disappointed if both teams were resting starters for what could be a Super Bowl preview. Players get hurt - it's a part of football.

E.C., Seattle

I had planned on buying tickets for this game. The whole reason for anybody to go to this game is to get a preview of the Super Bowl and I for one would love to be there to witness the possibility for history to be made: Shaun Alexander getting the TD record for a single season and possibly eclipsing the single-season rushing record as well. Also to see the greatest on-field offensive coordinator: Peyton Manning. I understand the need to keep players healthy for the playoffs but man it sure would be nice to see these juggernauts go at it.

Joktan S., Kent

Being an avid sports fan, whether it be football, basketball or baseball, I would not appreciate teams not playing their best players available. I would not be able to call a temp or backup worker to do my job today simply because of an upcoming "big" project next week, and neither should professional players. That is the player's job and they should do it, especially given the money they are making!

Keridan C., Seattle

It makes sense that both teams would want to rest their players with home-field advantage locked up. However, there is no way that the Colts players could agree with coach Dungy on this one. Having the chance to go undefeated doesn't happen every year or even every 10 years. It's a milestone for teams and I wouldn't see the Colts passing this opportunity up. As for Shawn Alexander, he missed his opportunity last year to be the league leader. Keep him in. If the Colts do rest players it will only be a better opportunity for Alexander to reach the touchdown record.

Steven N., Seattle

Benching players as playoff insurance is a fearful act. The fans pay the players to play, and they pay the coaches to coach. This is football, not chess. Should the Colts or the Seahawks bench starters, the fans should be reimbursed.

David. D, Shoreline

I'll be attending the game and I for one will feel robbed if the two teams don't treat it as a real game. Not to mention it would be a fantasy football disaster if the Colts and Seahawks benched their good players. It would really be unfortunate if an injury occurred, but whatever happened to going for the record?

Matt C., Rexburg, Idaho

If the Seahawks and Colts have first-round byes locked up by week 16, I would like to see the starters play. The risk of injury comes with every game. In week 17 they can rest and have two weeks to get healthy. If either team has something to play for (playoff positioning) that late in the season, the starters should play.

Steve N., Iowa City, Iowa

It would be a total crime to waste a highly anticipated game between these two teams. First and foremost, the fans have the right to get the most return on their investment by seeing all of the starters play. Second, why would you want to waste all those opportunities with the records? The Seahawks most likely won't have home-field advantage by then, so they certainly need to play everyone. You can't predict anything in a game, injuries included. Just go out and do it! Let them play!

Jayson P., Upland, Calif.

If it comes down to that game and the Colts are still undefeated, I think the Colts should play their starters. There has been only one team in NFL history to go undefeated and I think the Colts would be obligated to make history. I think the Colts would be doing the game of professional football a disservice if they were to pull their starters if they had a chance to go undefeated. So to that, I would say the Seahawks would have to play their starters too, especially if home-field advantage throughout the playoffs was still on the line. PLAY THE STARTERS!!!!!!!

Johnny D., Spanaway

Well, it's a tough situation. As a team or a franchise for that matter, you need your starters for much more important playoff games. But as a franchise on the other hand you don't want to disappoint your fans on the biggest game of the year. We all know that the Colts and Seahawks will see each other again in the Super Bowl! Personally, I think that if either one of these teams wants to make more of a statement other than just home-field advantage, they should play this just like a Super Bowl.

Andrew I., Lakewood

I feel that the starters should play. The fans are paying full ticket price and the TV advertisers are paying full ad rate prices. Are they professionals, or not?

Bill B., Elmer City