Week 17: To Play or Not to Play
Week 17 fantasy is often all about guessing who will rest their starters and how much. This season, with so much on the line, there really aren't that many situations to keep track of. I count four. Every other NFL team has long since been out of it or has something important to play for. Carolina's loss kept them in play. Same goes with Denver and Minnesota. The five teams who don't have anything to play for: Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Indianapolis, Arizona and the New York Giants. There is an outside chance Baltimore could be out of it. Here are my guesses about how they will treat Week 17.
Cardinals: I suspected Ken Whisenhunt would do everything he could to win against Seattle in order to get Arizona's mojo back. This is not a team that can afford to rest players. Whisenhunt supported my theory today. Perhaps Anquan Boldin doesn't play because he's legitimately hurt, but I would expect the rest of the passing game to produce in a great matchup.
New York Giants: Tom Coughlin wasn't indicating his plans Monday. Injured players like Brandon Jacobs and Domenick Hixon can't be counted on for complete games though. But the Giants showed last season how helpful it is to keep trying your best. Ahmad Bradshaw could get more work. It's a hard enough matchup at Minnesota that I'd just stay away.
Tennessee: I went back through Jeff Fisher's tenure to see if I could find anything that would indicate his preferences. There wasn't much because Tennessee had a lot to play for even in their best seasons. Steve McNair once sat out Week 17, but the rest of the starters played. Fisher has already indicated Vince Young will play some. He could be a sneaky play for the truly bold and desperate. Chris Johnson seems unlikely to get much work. LenDale White and Chris Henry could carry the load.
Indianapolis: Colts regular seasons are just preambles to playing Jim Sorgi like crazy in Week 17. Tony Dungy loves nothing more. Maybe Chad Simpson and Najeh Davenport get some run in this game against the Titans. Who cares? Colts fans should ask for their money back.
Pittsburgh: James Harrison and Ben Roethlisberger admit they could use some rest. Mike Tomlin was not shy benching his starters last year in Week 17, although he didn't have a bye week coming up. If the Steelers starters play, you can't trust they will stay in against the Browns. Too bad. Perhaps Gary Russell can pull a Willie Parker and emerge in Week 17.
Baltimore: They would be in the playoffs if the Patriots lose to the Bills at 1PM. The Ravens start their game at 4:15, but will have to submit their inactives before the Patriots game is over. A lot of crazy things have happened this season, but the Patriots should be able to beat the Bills.
Comments
No matter who makes it down, we'll have a 1/2 dozen playmates waiting for you in Clearwater... ;)
Posted by: Ana D | December 23, 2008 03:10 AM
Just wanted to make a correction. You say that if the Pats win Baltimore is in the playoffs, but that's not correct. If the Pats and Jets win and Bal loses then the Jets get the wildcard over Bal.
Posted by: Mike Lorrey | December 23, 2008 09:43 AM
I wrote if the Patriots lose, Baltimore is in regardless. Right?
Posted by: Gregg | December 23, 2008 04:37 PM