Who plays, who rests?
Week 17 in the NFL is a different animal and that’s why most fantasy leagues end in Week 16. But there are still people out there who care. SnapDraft players, gamblers (entertainment purposes only, of course), and people in fantasy leagues with dumb commissioners.
So here’s a guess at what teams are thinking for this weekend. Keep in mind that the timing of games will have a lot to do with strategies:
SAINTS: They have clinched the No. 1 seed, but coming off two straight losses they want to get back in rhythm. Look for them to play all their starters for at least a half.
VIKINGS: Everyone will play as they still have a shot at the No. 2 seed.
EAGLES: If they win, they get a bye as the No. 2 seed. Everyone plays.
COWBOYS: Still has an outside shot at the No. 2 seed if they can knock off Eagles. They win the NFC East by beating the Eagles. Everyone plays.
CARDINALS: They would need the Vikings to lose and the Cowboys to win to get a shot at the No. 2 seed. Considering the Vikings play at 1 ET, they’ll know what to do. A Vikings win would mean rest for Kurt Warner, Larry Fitz and company.
PACKERS: The Packers can be either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed, but they are very likely to play the Cardinals in the first round. They also play the Cardinals in Week 17. Look for the starters to get some work in some vanilla schemes before taking a seat.
* All other NFC teams have been eliminated from the playoffs.
COLTS: Clinched the No. 1 seed, obviously. Look for the starters to go anywhere from a series to a quarter. A bunch of guys, including Pierre Garcon, have already been ruled out.
CHARGERS: Clinched the No. 2 seed. Norv Turner hasn’t tipped his hand yet, but look for the front-line guys to get a decent amount of rest.
BENGALS: The Bengals can grab the No. 3 seed by beating the Jets at 8:30 ET, but they’re locked into the No. 4 seed if the Patriots win at 1 ET. So we’ll know by 4:30 ET or so what the Bengals are going to do.
PATRIOTS: Need to win to keep the No. 4 seed. Belichick may be cautious, but the front-line guys should go most of the game.
JETS: If they win they are in. Everyone plays.
BRONCOS: Even if the 1 ET games don’t go their way, they’ll still play all their players.
RAVENS: If they beat the Raiders they are in. Everyone plays.
STEELERS, JAGUARS, DOLPHINS, TEXANS: Considering the 1 ET starts, they’ll all be alive while they play. Everyone plays on all teams.
* All other AFC teams have been eliminated from the playoffs.
Comments
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Posted by: yungyung | December 29, 2009 1:12 PM
Patriots need to win to keep the 4 seed??? Do you mean the three seed?
Posted by: Dave | December 30, 2009 9:15 AM
Obviously he means the three seed. Pats win they get the three (although personally there's not a lot of difference between 3-4 so it may not matter to the Bengals or Pats all that much).
Posted by: Steve-O | December 30, 2009 12:34 PM
Like the article do u think teams like clevland KC raiders Chicago etc also play all out as a "normal" game??
Posted by: jhor | December 30, 2009 12:35 PM
I think all three teams you mentioned are trying. Teams like Washington, Seattle and possibly the Giants look like they've quit.
Posted by: Dave | December 30, 2009 1:49 PM
Personally, I think there's a huge difference between the #3 seed and the #4 seed. Would you rather play Baltimore or the Jets? Would you rather play at Indy or at SD? Would you rather potentially host the championship game as the #3 seed or go on the road as the #4 seed? There's a HUGE difference so I don't get giving up the #3 seed, and I'm not sure why Vegas thinks (or knows) otherwise with the Pats as an 8 point dog.
Posted by: Jason | December 30, 2009 3:11 PM
The Pats are extra-paranoid about a Brady injury for obvious reasons.
Posted by: mateo | December 30, 2009 6:15 PM