Greg Easterbrook comes off as a whiny Browns fan. Seriously, why would the Colts risk getting injured in a meaningless game? The Browns had their chance and blew it. They have nobody to blame but themselves. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>"The NFL has a rule saying teams must make a "bona-fide effort" to win, even if the game has no impact on the standings. The Giants surely honored that rule by going all-out against the Patriots, although Jersey/A already had locked into its seeding; the Giants' all-out effort was extremely impressive, and bodes well for their postseason. Most season-finale games don't matter, so no one cares about the bona fide effort rule. But Indianapolis, which also had locked up its seed already, did not make a bona fide effort to defeat Tennessee -- Peyton Manning played two series; starters sat out the second half -- and Tony Dungy's decision to field his practice squad had the effect of keeping Cleveland out of the postseason. There's no conspiracy here since Indianapolis, as the second seed, couldn't play the sixth seed (whether Tennessee or Cleveland) before the AFC championship and the sixth seed reaching the championship is unlikely. Still, the rule stipulates that NFL teams must try to win, and, in a consequential game, Indianapolis did not try to win. Cleveland has a grievance -- and the football gods might wax wroth against the Colts. (Dallas did not try to beat Washington, either, but as Minnesota and New Orleans both lost, neither can complain about the Cowboys.)"</div>
Cleveland lost to Cincinnati and has no one to blame but themselves. Forget the wildcard, my Steelers were playing horribly down the stretch and if the Browns beat the Bengals they likely would have won the division.
The Colts earned the right to do whatever they wanted by being awesome and locking up the #2 seed. If Browns fans don't like it, tell them to complain to their own team officials for not doing the same.
