Breakdown - Decision to PLAY STARTERS or REST STARTERS in Final Week of Season (Week 18)

[Billsfed1]

On 12/23/2024 at 12:01 PM, mannc said:

And if Steelers and Ravens both lose on Wednesday, rest starters for the last two games?

I say yes.  This would match the chiefs rest advantage, but still having to play 1 game more than them. My biggest fear is the chiefs lose tomorrow then beat the broncos and we get no rest at all for the same seeding we would have had all along.  

 

The only thing going in our favour is it appears McDermott has anticipated this outcome and has been resting guys more throughout the season to stay relatively fresh come playoff time.

[JoshAllin]

There also has to be some scenarios with the denver game vs cinci since if denver wins they clinched a playoff spot and won't be bringing their best to KC

[Boatdrinks]

1 hour ago, JoshAllin said:

There also has to be some scenarios with the denver game vs cinci since if denver wins they clinched a playoff spot and won't be bringing their best to KC

Pretty sure the Broncos season finale is in Denver, no? 

[Scott7975]

On 12/23/2024 at 12:01 PM, mannc said:

And if Steelers and Ravens both lose on Wednesday, rest starters for the last two games?

yeah real smart. Go into the playoffs with 3 weeks of rust. 

[LABILLBACKER]

On 12/23/2024 at 12:55 PM, njbuff said:

If the Chiefs beat the Steelers, the Bills will probably still go balls to the wall against the Jets simply because they weren’t up to snuff against NE.

 

But anybody who is everybody will NOT be playing in the finale.

 

That’s the way I see it.

Highly doubt the NFL allows KC to lose today and we need to finish strong against the Jets to solidify Josh's MVP.  Week 18 will be a rest starters bye week for us.

[Beast]

We are all but assured of playing Denver when you look at the remaining schedules and scenarios.

Edited Wednesday at 08:53 PM by Beast

[JOE IN HAMPTON ROADS]

Looks like we will be playing for the #2 seed this weekend.  So no resting just yet.  Hopefully the finale will be a walk-through.

[Dr.Sack]

Beat the Jets sit everyone week 18. 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

14 minutes ago, Beast said:

We are all but assured of playing Denver when you look at the remaining schedules and scenarios.

Agreed, esp with the broncos playing KC’s backups. 

[Doc]

28 minutes ago, JOE IN HAMPTON ROADS said:

Looks like we will be playing for the #2 seed this weekend.  So no resting just yet.  Hopefully the finale will be a walk-through.

 

Depends on the Texans-Ravens game.  Go Texans!

Edited Wednesday at 09:27 PM by Doc

[Johnnycage46]

Start em or sit em. KC is winning the SB as usual. What's the point anymore?

[Logic]

Go all out this weekend, beat the Jets, let Josh lock up his first MVP award.

Rest key players in the final week of the season. Let Josh start the game and exit after a series to keep his consecutive starts streak in tact.
 

[JOE IN HAMPTON ROADS]

7 hours ago, Johnnycage46 said:

Start em or sit em. KC is winning the SB as usual. What's the point anymore?

well there is ONE team that beat KC in the regular season ... so theres hope.

[Low Positive]

7 hours ago, Logic said:

Go all out this weekend, beat the Jets, let Josh lock up his first MVP award.

Rest key players in the final week of the season. Let Josh start the game and exit after a series to keep his consecutive starts streak in tact.
 

Yep. Break the Jets in half this week to get that taste out of their mouths and then treat week 18 like a pre-season game.

[ChrisWatson#21]

If the Bills win this week Josh needs to start and at least play the first series week 18 just handing off to Ray Davis to keep his consecutive starts streak going.  Those type of records will matter for Allen’s career down the road when it’s done.  I hope they take that into consideration.

[Heavy Kevi]

Win this week, rest next week.

 

Get 2 seed.

 

Gotta take care of business when Baltimore comes to town, and head to KC for the CG.

 

Gonna be tough

19 hours ago, Johnnycage46 said:

Start em or sit em. KC is winning the SB as usual. What's the point anymore?

 

Hate to quote Nick wright here....

 

But I think he may have been right when he said between Bills, Ravens, and Chiefs... Whichever team doesn't have to play BOTH of the others will represent the AFC. And unfortunately that looks like the chiefs again. I'll cross my fingers that Baltimore loses in the wc round but they are playing great football right now.

[Matt_In_NH]

Really hope they don’t lay an egg vs the jests so they can rest some guys.  

[BigAl2526]

Simple.  If the Bills have wrapped up the #2 seed after week 17, they rest starters in week 18.  If they don't, starters play week 18.

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

If we beat the Jets I’m assuming week 18 is a bye for all starters. I can’t imagine anyone importing playing a single snap against NE if we win this Sunday 

[CSBill]

On 12/23/2024 at 4:56 PM, peterpan said:

If that happened, I would rest everyone for the Jest, then play the starters v NE for the first half or so, just to stay sharp.  Two weeks off is too much, teams always come out flat 

 

Disagree. Why do teams work so hard to get the first-round bye? Given a choice at this time of the year, every team will take the rest.