To rest or not to rest the starters, that is the question

[stuvian]

We're still two games out of the number one seed. I know Mahomes might sit a game with his bum ankle which could open up a window for us the get the top seed. The Chiefs have playoff contenders in their remaining three games with the Broncos, Texans and Steelers. 

 

We have the lowly Pats twice and Aaron Rodgers' celebrity fantasy football team remaining. None of these games requires the Bills best efforts or players. We would be mortified to lose Josh or any starter in these last three games.

 

Unless we're playing the Dolphins or another sun belt team, I am not convinced home field is that big a playoff advantage. Our recent playoff history bears that out. In fact, I think playing before the home crowd adds increased pressures and distractions.

 

While the week off as the number one seed is enticing, I'd prefer to see us go in as the number two seed healthy. We should treat the remaining three games as exhibition and  play our starters for a quarter at most. There should be reward for locking up the division as early as we did. Losing our best players to meaningless games is dumb. I say put the starters on a pitch count and get healthy.

[Nephilim17]

I think playing for the 1 seed is worth trying to win the last three games. That extra game rest/prep is the difference, not just home field.

But be reasonable about it. The starters should get a shorter leash, I think, and give the backups more time.

[Gregg]

If the Bills have a shot at the #1 seed, then they have to go for it.  Also, McDermott has never won a playoff game on the road. 0-4. JAX, HOU, KC (2). I definitely want as many playoff games in OP as possible.

[Kelly to Allen]

2 minutes ago, stuvian said:

We're still two games out of the number one seed. I know Mahomes might sit a game with his bum ankle which could open up a window for us the get the top seed. The Chiefs have playoff contenders in their remaining three games with the Broncos, Texans and Steelers. 

 

We have the lowly Pats twice and Aaron Rodgers' celebrity fantasy football team remaining. None of these games requires the Bills best efforts or players. We would be mortified to lose Josh or any starter in these last three games.

 

Unless we're playing the Dolphins or another sun belt team, I am not convinced home field is that big a playoff advantage. Our recent playoff history bears that out. In fact, I think playing before the home crowd adds increased pressures and distractions.

 

While the week off as the number one seed is enticing, I'd prefer to see us go in as the number two seed healthy. We should treat the remaining three games as exhibition and  play our starters for a quarter at most. There should be reward for locking up the division as early as we did. Losing our best players to meaningless games is dumb. I say put the starters on a pitch count and get healthy.

 

This is why when ppl say " oh it's a long season". 

 

No it's not. It's important to get off to a great start and because buffalo won the division so early, they earned the right to rest guys and be conservative with injures. 

 

We still have almost a month until the playoffs so they're going to rest anyone that is banged up 

 

There is no tangible difference between getting the one seed and the bye

 

Or getting the 2 seed and resting everyone week 18 as a defacto bye. Especially considering KC is playing 3 games in ten days.

 

Great spot to be in 

[richNjoisy]

I totally agree with you - in that being healthy for the playoffs is hugely important. The one thing you didn't consider was the the advantage of the BYE week in the first round. That is a major plus to being number 1 seed as injuries occur in the first playoff game all the time (last season the Bills lost both Benford and Bernard!). I do expect, and have been observing this for weeks now, that the Bills should sit injured players until fully healthy. I think the Bills can win the final three games without all their major players (except Josh - hence, if they sit him, I expect to lose). In the meantime, the Chiefs play this coming Saturday.  Let's first see if the Texans beat them (and if the Chiefs start Mahomes). If the Chiefs lose, I'd play my healthy starters on Sunday. THEN, we can watch the Chiefs play Pittsburgh on Christmas day.  Let's see what happens then. 

[Nineforty]

The 1 seed is attainable. I think KC will lose 2 of 3. But can we sweep?

[DC Greg]

Within reason, yes they should try to rest some guys. But you

cant just sit everybody for 3 weeks and then expect them to step in and be playing their best football in the wild card round. There’s something to be said for staying in a groove. I really don’t think we should see much resting if the starters until the final week for that reason. 

[Motorin']

You don't rest "the starters" until you're mathematically eliminated from the #1 seed and the #2 seed is a lock. 

 

 

[Gregg]

Just now, Nineforty said:

The 1 seed is attainable. I think KC will lose 2 of 3. But can we sweep?

 

Yes, but Jets game worries me the most. Their offense has looked good the last 2 weeks as Rodgers is showing his old form. In recent years they treat games against the Bills as their own personnel Super Bowl.

[HOUSE]

Have you guys ever seen Mitch Trubisky play quarterback??

The starters must play!

[FormerLV-BILLS]

5 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

You don't rest "the starters" until you're mathematically eliminated from the #1 seed and the #2 seed is a lock. 

 

 

My God.  Thank You for posting what seems like the only reasonable answer that there is on this subject.  

[atlbillsfan1975]

The Chiefs for sure can lose 2 of the next three. The next two for them with when they are scheduled is particularly tough. I can see them losing at least one of the next two. If I had to guess, McD will make everyone practice and prepare like they are playing the last game. The one seed seems to be a goal of this team. 

Edited Monday at 03:03 PM by atlbillsfan1975

[Logic]

Well...when are you suggesting to rest them, exactly?

Certainly not for the last three games of the season? That would be insane.

Either way, I'm not resting anybody right now. The Bills are so in sync, so in tune, playing so well, and in such a groove, that I'm not doing anything at all to disrupt that chemistry. Nope.

Further, Josh Allen deserves to win his first MVP. He deserves it. I'm not taking away his chance to do so by resting starters or resting HIM until at least the last game, and preferably on the second half of that game.

Play your guys. Fight for seeding. IF, in the last week of the season, there is nothing to play for, you can rest them then. Not a minute before.

[ILBillsfan]

Still keep the starters going two seed is not yet secured and they are still in the mix for the one.....these are three AFC games and do not need a loss giving Pitt a chance at the two seed....much rather have them come to Buffalo then the Bills go there

[warrior9]

7 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

Yes, but Jets game worries me the most. Their offense has looked good the last 2 weeks as Rodgers is showing his old form. In recent years they treat games against the Bills as their own personnel Super Bowl.

They needed a last minute drive to beat Mac Jones...... 

[Billsturfwars]

My thought process is if we can't beat the Patriots & the Jets with backups sprinkled in there, there is no way in hell we are beating the Playoff contenders with our backups. if KC loses Saturday; go for the #1 seed, if they win, its a very slim chance at the #1 and risking injury to players.

[T master]

If the Bills get up in the score in any of their remaining games then i would say yes pull the starters and give them the extra rest, or in Millano's case let him sit for a game or so to recover from his groin injury but the rest of the starters need to continue to play at least a little bit to keep their groove going .

 

 

[Gregg]

1 minute ago, ILBillsfan said:

Still keep the starters going two seed is not yet secured and they are still in the mix for the one.....these are three AFC games and do not need a loss giving Pitt a chance at the two seed....much rather have them come to Buffalo then the Bills go there

 

Or Baltimore. The Ravens still have a shot at the division. This Saturday's game between them is going to be a fun one to watch.

[GolfandBills]

25 minutes ago, stuvian said:

We're still two games out of the number one seed. I know Mahomes might sit a game with his bum ankle which could open up a window for us the get the top seed. The Chiefs have playoff contenders in their remaining three games with the Broncos, Texans and Steelers. 

 

We have the lowly Pats twice and Aaron Rodgers' celebrity fantasy football team remaining. None of these games requires the Bills best efforts or players. We would be mortified to lose Josh or any starter in these last three games.

 

Unless we're playing the Dolphins or another sun belt team, I am not convinced home field is that big a playoff advantage. Our recent playoff history bears that out. In fact, I think playing before the home crowd adds increased pressures and distractions.

 

While the week off as the number one seed is enticing, I'd prefer to see us go in as the number two seed healthy. We should treat the remaining three games as exhibition and  play our starters for a quarter at most. There should be reward for locking up the division as early as we did. Losing our best players to meaningless games is dumb. I say put the starters on a pitch count and get healthy.

No

[Cray51]

The only time you rest is if week 18 means NOTHING to the standings.  Even then, you consider a first half with the starters and then bring the backups in.