If CIN Wins, Rest Starters?

[Concussion Protocol]

What I want to know is this? Why do people keep talking about tonight's game as though it matters to the Patriots?

There's a whole other thread on this issue, and yet no one has said the obvious. Tonight's winner gets HFA if the Patriots lose to Miami.

Unless of course they also lose next week. But yea, I'm just gonna enjoy a good football game tonight.

 

[jmt57]

• The Bengals are not a pushover.
• Playing at home is better than playing on the road.
• With a bye there is little to no need to rest starters.
• Playing a lower seeded team is better than playing a higher seeded team.

 

[Concussion Protocol]

Yeah you are.

A playoff game means that if you lose, your season is over so there is a higher sense of urgency/completely different atmosphere.

If there was no difference, Peyton would have at least 5 rings by now.

Denver will probably get a bye if they win tonight and will probably be demoted to wildcard team if they lose. It's a huuuuuge game for Denver. Not a playoff game obviously, but crucial.

 

[Froob]

As much as I expect the Bengals to fold up shop in the New Year there's no guarantees in the playoffs, especially on the road.

 

[farn]

Can't be sure : but here is what I think is BB's "resting philosophy".
-Gronk in preseason
-many starters long stretches in preseason
-starters week 17 when they know they are playing the first weekend of playoffs
-end of the game in week 17 if seeding already set

I have seen Indy lose too many times after over-resting. I also like the 60min philosophy that BB puts forth and that includes playing starters late sometimes. We'll see. But with a week off already, I bet BB plays his guys next weekend.

 

[Rob0729]

Yeah you are.

A playoff game means that if you lose, your season is over so there is a higher sense of urgency/completely different atmosphere.

If there was no difference, Peyton would have at least 5 rings by now.

If the Broncos lose tonight, they are in a must win next week to win their division and possibly to stay in the playoffs all together. This is a big game for the Broncos. This game goes a long way determining whether they are the #1 seed or knocked out of the playoffs all together. If the Broncos lose their next two games, there is a chance they don't make the playoffs. If the Broncos lose their next two games and Jets, Chiefs, and Steelers all win; the Broncos are out of the playoffs.

This is a huge game for the Broncos. So if the Bengals beat them, that tells me they can beat most of the teams in the playoffs with McCarron. Besides, none of the teams on the AFC side are exactly world beaters.

 

[CISGS]

If the Broncos lose tonight, they are in a must win next week to win their division and possibly to stay in the playoffs all together. This is a big game for the Broncos. This game goes a long way determining whether they are the #1 seed or knocked out of the playoffs all together. If the Broncos lose their next two games, there is a chance they don't make the playoffs. If the Broncos lose their next two games and Jets, Chiefs, and Steelers all win; the Broncos are out of the playoffs.

This is a huge game for the Broncos. So if the Bengals beat them, that tells me they can beat most of the teams in the playoffs with McCarron. Besides, none of the teams on the AFC side are exactly world beaters.

Well said. This may very well show whether the Broncos can win a playoff game with Brock.

 

[Rob0729]

As much as I expect the Bengals to fold up shop in the New Year there's no guarantees in the playoffs, especially on the road.

Yeah, I still think that the Bengals will probably choke in the first round like they always do, but I think they can beat almost any team in the playoffs with McCarron if their defense plays well and they can run the ball. I am not conceding the #1 seed based on tonight's game either way.

In fact, I have more faith on the Bengals winning in the playoffs with McCarron (other than the Marvin Jones choke factor) than I do the Broncos with either of their QBs.

Now if Belichick believes that this team is so banged up that it is better to sacrifice the #1 seed to get extra rest, then maybe I can see it. But the winner tonight will have nothing to do with that decision.

 

[Froob]

If the Broncos lose tonight, they are in a must win next week to win their division and possibly to stay in the playoffs all together. This is a big game for the Broncos. This game goes a long way determining whether they are the #1 seed or knocked out of the playoffs all together. If the Broncos lose their next two games, there is a chance they don't make the playoffs. If the Broncos lose their next two games and Jets, Chiefs, and Steelers all win; the Broncos are out of the playoffs.

This is a huge game for the Broncos. So if the Bengals beat them, that tells me they can beat most of the teams in the playoffs with McCarron. Besides, none of the teams on the AFC side are exactly world beaters.

McCaron could possibly be better. He's won some big time college games if I recall correctly while Dalton is a disaster in the playoffs every year.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

 

[Joey007]

I will never understand why anyone would want to just give away the #1 seed.

I wouldn't give it up, but do remember the #2 seed is likely to face a much easier team in the Divisional round than the #1 will.

 

[Jackson 2]

I will never understand why anyone would want to just give away the #1 seed.

Agreed. It's absolutely unfathomable to me.

 

[Froob]

I wonder if Broncos will be in full **** you mode the rest of the season to prove they can win without HGH.

 

[IllegalContact]

I don't get it. If Cinci goes into Denver on a Monday night and beats a Denver team with the #1 defense in the league, how can you say there's zero chance they win a playoff game?

Cuz the raiders beat the Broncos .... In Denver

 

[fair catch fryar]

To save the QB who has taken the most hits in the last two months.

That is pretty much the only reason I would consider it. Again, I more than likely would play them, I am just saying man. TB is getting destroyed.

Have you not watched the Patriots and how BB handles this scenario in the past 15 years? You play to win the game and worry about the next opponent before you play them. If you try to control things that are beyond your immediate control it tends to snap back and bite you squarely in the ***.

 

[LightSkinSmurf]

We can rest during the bye week. Get the number one seed.

 

[SomePatsFan13]

We know how arrogant Bill is.

I guarantee the starters will not be resting, and we will be clamoring for them to take out Tom in the game thread lol

Only people I can see resting another week are Sebastian (obviously), Jules (although he may get a few snaps, never know), McCourty and Chung.

I'd love to rest Gronkowski and activate Chandler, just to get him some playoff momentum.

Where are the dual TE sets McD???

 

[deters]

Hell no. Go get that #1 seed against a pitiful Phins team. I personally thought we should've just gave the game away yesterday and went all in against the Phins. Jets game was likely a loss just based on personnel we had left to work with. Would've rested key players another week and sent in primarily backups.

 

[Kontradiction]

I've reversed my position on this. The #1 seed is important but the injuries are astronomical. Health is more important and this team will need it on both sides of the ball if they stand any chance whatsoever of repeating. Rest those that are nicked up and/or need it - Vollmer, Gronk, Amendola, Edelman (?), Collins, Hightower, Jones, McCourty, Chung, etc. If players feel like they absolutely need the reps (Edelman) then give them a few snaps. But, at this point, this team badly needs to get healthy and they already have a bye locked up. Healthy, this team can walk into anyone's building and win if need be. That team we fielded yesterday would be one and done.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

I wouldn't give it up, but do remember the #2 seed is likely to face a much easier team in the Divisional round than the #1 will.

How? The #1 seed plays the lowest seeded team remaining.