Jim Caldwell wouldn't change a thing about his late-season decisions.

He tossed away a chance at a perfect season by pulling Colts starters in the third quarter against the Jets. On Sunday, in a Buffalo snowstorm, he yanked most of Indianapolis' key contributors after three series.

The reason: Staying healthy for a Super Bowl run was more important to the Colts than going 16-0.

So on a day other playoff teams, notably Arizona, Cincinnati, Green Bay and New England, were contending with new injury concerns, Caldwell and the Colts were resting comfortably at home.

"We are right where we want to be," Caldwell said Monday. "I think if anybody would have said, 'Come Jan. 4 this would be your station in life in terms of your record for the team,' we'd all feel pretty good about that. I think the health of our team is trending in the right direction."

A week ago, Caldwell's decision created a national controversy and upset some Colts fans.

Outsiders contended Indy (14-2) should have played for history, extended its NFL records for consecutive regular-season wins and most wins in a decade even as Caldwell and team president Bill Polian insisted the primary goal was winning the Super Bowl and not pursuing perfection.

Over the weekend, commissioner Roger Goodell jumped into the discussion, too, suggesting the league would consider providing incentives for teams that continue to play their starters.

Following Sunday's 30-7 loss, three-time league MVP Peyton Manning extended an olive branch to the fans.

"I just want to say to our fans how much we are going to need them the next two weekends," he said. "They have been great for us all year, unbelievably passionate and supportive of us and the only way we are going to be able to win in two weeks is if everyone is in there together. The fans are going to have to be there for us. So I hope they forgive what happened last weekend and we can all move on together."

Even critics may be having second thoughts about questioning the Colts' strategy now.

New England, which was playing for the No. 3 seed Sunday in Houston, may have to play without NFL receiving leader Wes Welker, who was carted off the field with a left leg injury Sunday.

Green Bay and Arizona, which had already clinched playoff spots and were also playing for seeds Sunday, both lost Pro Bowlers in the game. Packers cornerback Charles Woodson hurt his shoulder, though he is expected to play in this weekend's rematch.