Football - Well-Rested or Great?

Am I the only one, who in week 14 after the Saints posted their first loss, lamented the loss of the possibility of two 18-0 teams meeting in the Super Bowl, guaranteeing that the Patriots would not have the most single season wins in the history of the NFl and the 72 Dolphins sole perfect season would be over? Having clinched their division, bye, and home-field, they basically rolled over for the next three games, finishing 13-3. The Colts did essentially the same one week later, and finished 14-2.

But what ho! In what 'shroom-induced dream would these two teams have been the ones to luck their way into the Super Bowl? And now, I bravely look back with 20-20 hindsight and ask: why don't NFL teams ever play for undefeated?
In college football, undefeated is everything, because it has major bowl implications. But the NFL has this idea that once you have clinched the easiest possible path to the Super Bowl, you should rest your players. This may be a good strategy; although it has backfired time and time again for the Colts, this year it appears to have worked for both the Colts and Saints.
Nevertheless, as the tired argument goes: "who is better? Peyton Manning or Tom Brady?" Typically this is a good debate, arguing stats, number of SB victories, strength of supporting cast, etc etc. But what if the Peyton side of the argument included "only quarterback to ever go 19-0"? I think that Peyton's legacy would be secure; who could argue with a perfect season in the modern football era? Or who could argue Drew Brees and the 2009 Saints weren't one of the greatest teams ever, if their charmed season had been perfect?

And why wasn't the NFL front office begging the Colts and Saints to keep winning through the end of the regular season? The chance at two teams, 18-0, playing for perfection in a Super Bowl would virtually guarantee the highest viewing audience ever! A guarantee for audiences to witness history! Were I in the NFL front office, I'd have been dreaming up some sort of massive cash/glory incentive and begging the Saints and Colts to not rest. I would have promised them all the Monday night games they wanted next season. I would have promised them that they get 9 home games, or even ten. I would have offered to send their whole team and families to the Pro-Bowl. I would have done whatever it took to get two undefeated teams into the Super Bowl.


_