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Week 17 Playoffs - Which teams might rest players? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter ldizzle
- Start date
Smack Tripper
Footballguy
Who is the pats 4th stringer? Not that buffalo is appetizing
packersfan
Footballguy
I'm playing Dez unless there is word the Cowboys plan to play him less than a half. I'll take 2-3 quarters out of Dez over 4 quarters from someone like Eddie Royal (the best WR on my WW).
I have a friend who was in Florida on Christmas and was at the same beach bar as Gronk. He watched him drink 8 espresso martinis in an hour, so it doesn't look like he was game planning for the Bills that day. This doesn't say whether he's playing or not in my opinion, but he was far away from Foxboro on Thursday.
BustedKnuckles
Footballguy
BustedKnuckles
Footballguy
The Boston Globe's Ben Volin believes Rob Gronkowski will receive "little-to-no playing time" in the Patriots' season finale against the Bills.
With nothing on the line Week 17, it makes little sense for the Patriots to play their dynamic but oft-injured tight end. Gronkowski could very well put up a goose egg Week 17, making him unplayable in both seasonal and daily formats. Tim Wright will likely see a bump in snaps with Gronk limited, but would be a poor option against the Bills' suffocating pass defense.
With nothing on the line Week 17, it makes little sense for the Patriots to play their dynamic but oft-injured tight end. Gronkowski could very well put up a goose egg Week 17, making him unplayable in both seasonal and daily formats. Tim Wright will likely see a bump in snaps with Gronk limited, but would be a poor option against the Bills' suffocating pass defense.
packersfan
Footballguy
Todd Archer wrote in his Twitter Mailbag that he expects the Cowboys to play this like a regular game with the caveat being game flow. He talked about how he could see the top guys being sat in the second half if Washington has built a big lead. I'd have to assume he thinks the same could happen if Dallas has a big lead in the second half. Archer's a pretty respected beat writer and he believes what Garrett and Jones have been saying all week. So if he's on point here that means all top Dallas offensive players are good to go for this week.
Tennessee_ATO
Footballguy
I could see this to a point, but Washingtin hit Romo a ton in their 1st game. I could see Romo sitting quick if the early signs are a repeat of that.
packersfan
Footballguy
Agreed and that falls in with the game flow caveat. We don't know what will happen once the game begins but all signs currently point to Dallas treating this like a regular game going in. From a fantasy perspective it all comes down to options. I doubt many people have better WR options than Dez so I'd be hard-pressed to sit him. Romo and Murray are trickier, especially Murray since he's clearly hurt. I'd still struggle to sit Murray given how excellent he's been this season. I'd be more inclined to sit Romo if I had a really good alternative but I'm not sitting him for someone like McCown or even Griffin. The Washington defense is horrible. I still think much of what we saw in the first meeting between these two teams was an anomaly from the Washington perspective.
shader
Footballguy
Dallas is scared to death of losing their first playoff game and taking the heat. If they rest players and lose, they will get bashed. But I'd be more worried about playing your arch rival in a meaningless game and having them out for blood.
Washington is at home and they have played with passion the last few weeks. I'd let my guys play a few series and then get them outta there. I suspect this will happen with Dallas. No way they play deep into the 3rd quarter.
Washington is at home and they have played with passion the last few weeks. I'd let my guys play a few series and then get them outta there. I suspect this will happen with Dallas. No way they play deep into the 3rd quarter.
Stinkin Ref
IBL Representative
I dont know a ton about what will happen but IMO the ultimate goal is the SB.....I put no stock in playing for personal records, etc....when the rubber meets the road no way I would play Romo, Murray, Gronk, etc in any game that is meaningless....these teams work too hard during the season to put themselves in the position to make the post season tourney.....some starters have to play no matter what, but any dinged or injury prone starters should sit.....especially the impact guys we are talking about
for fantasy purposes, I'm not rolling the dice on the guys who may only play a half a game or whatever.....i'm not doing the dance of 2 quarters of Gronk is better than a full game of Kelce BS.....hell there were games where Gronk didn't do anything until second half....so yeah I'd be playing D. Freeman over Murray and Ertz/Kelce over Gronk...somebody over Luck/Romo/Brady, etc......you KNOW there is a HUGE chance these guys may sit a significant amount....and I would hate to lose that way.....it sucks to ride some of these guys all year and then have to sit them, but that is part of the game if you stll have meaningfull fantasy games this week, you almost had to start preparing for this weeks ago by workingthe WW, etc.....I'm in a coouple leagues where this week means something, and I'm trotting out lesser players and sitting Gronk, Murray, Brady, etc and not looking back......
for fantasy purposes, I'm not rolling the dice on the guys who may only play a half a game or whatever.....i'm not doing the dance of 2 quarters of Gronk is better than a full game of Kelce BS.....hell there were games where Gronk didn't do anything until second half....so yeah I'd be playing D. Freeman over Murray and Ertz/Kelce over Gronk...somebody over Luck/Romo/Brady, etc......you KNOW there is a HUGE chance these guys may sit a significant amount....and I would hate to lose that way.....it sucks to ride some of these guys all year and then have to sit them, but that is part of the game if you stll have meaningfull fantasy games this week, you almost had to start preparing for this weeks ago by workingthe WW, etc.....I'm in a coouple leagues where this week means something, and I'm trotting out lesser players and sitting Gronk, Murray, Brady, etc and not looking back......
packersfan
Footballguy
It all comes down to how you want to handle it. One year I sat Reggie Bush with the Saints when he was only expected to play briefly and he put up more points in one series than the RB I replaced him with got in the whole game. Some guys don't need to be on the field much. In my league we give away bonus points for length of TDs. If Dez, for example, caught a 50-yard TD and that was his only catch of the day he'd end up with a big scoring day.
Based on what we know now or have been told I think avoiding all Patriots is the way to go. The trickier players will be Luck, Hilton (if he plays), Romo, Murray and Dez. These are all top players and some of them (like Murray, Dez and Hilton) don't need to play a lot to put up quality numbers. But again it comes down to how each owner wants to handle it. For me as a Dez owner, he's in my lineup and I've read nothing so far that would lead me to take him out. But we'll see what we hear tomorrow morning.
Stinkin Ref
IBL Representative
yeah its a dance....but I look at it this way.....many of these teams bust their ### during the season to actually hope to HAVE this luxuary at the end of the season.....the option to actually be able to sit some guys and get/stay healthy....some of these teams haven't had a bye week for awhile, etc...
I think DAL and NE take advantage of it, and Indy with Hilton.....no way am I touching any NE/DAL/INDY player....
newbie_bewbie
Footballguy
Definitely thinking I should sit Romo for Eli, and Julius for either Ertz or Clay
Darryl Talley
Footballguy
I'm sitting Romo/Dez. Dallas just had a game last month where they got blown out, but they bounced back. I don't see how this game is a momentum builder. This team's identity on offense is set in stone already. Jerry always wants to present his organization as the pinnacle of success but he is smart enough to know his team should rest this week.
packersfan
Footballguy
Here's my thinking as a Dez owner - As of right now everything being said by Garrett and Jones and reported is the Cowboys are going to play this like a regular game. So I'm starting Dez. If that turns out to be a load of BS I can live with my decision because I based it on how good Dez is and all of the information that was available to me at the time. I would hate to start someone like Royal or Marqise Lee and then watch Dez be Dez in a normal type of game for the Cowboys. That's a beat I would struggle to get over anytime soon. But if I start Dez and 100% of the information presented turns out to be bogus well them's the breaks.
I'll then push even harder to get Week 17 wiped away in my league.
I'll then push even harder to get Week 17 wiped away in my league.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
I went back to see if I could find a comparable situation in recent Cowboys history. The closest I could find was week 17 of 2007. Dallas was at Washington, just as they are this week, and they were locked into the #1 seed. Jason Garrett was not the HC, but he was the offensive coordinator. And of course, Jerry was calling the shots, so you'd have to think their overall philosophy would remain somewhat consistent today. Here is the stat sheet for that game:
I didn't check out the play-by-play, but just based on the numbers, it would appear that Romo played only the 1st half. The Skins absolutely dominated time of possession that day, so it's amazing Romo threw the ball as much as he did. This situation is slightly different this week, since they have a bit more of a Hail Mary chance to get a bye, so my best guess is that we should expect to see Romo well into the 3rd Q.
ETA: you also have to factor in that they knew they had a week off in '07, so this information may not be applicable.
I didn't check out the play-by-play, but just based on the numbers, it would appear that Romo played only the 1st half. The Skins absolutely dominated time of possession that day, so it's amazing Romo threw the ball as much as he did. This situation is slightly different this week, since they have a bit more of a Hail Mary chance to get a bye, so my best guess is that we should expect to see Romo well into the 3rd Q.
ETA: you also have to factor in that they knew they had a week off in '07, so this information may not be applicable.
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BustedKnuckles
Footballguy
Patriots promoted WR Josh Boyce from the practice squad.
It's a sign that Julian Edelman (concussion) and Brandon LaFell (shoulder) could be held out or have limited roles. The Patriots placed CB Alfonzo Dennard on I.R. in a corresponding move.
It's a sign that Julian Edelman (concussion) and Brandon LaFell (shoulder) could be held out or have limited roles. The Patriots placed CB Alfonzo Dennard on I.R. in a corresponding move.
Cheesedawg
Footballguy
newbie_bewbie
Footballguy
I know this isn't the right place for this, but there's not much going on in the other forum...
1) Eli or Romo (or Dalton, Cutler, Teddy, etc)
2) Julius or Clay or Ertz
3) L.Miller or Asiata
*Note: I'm have MIA defense in at the moment too so not sure if I want to use more than 2 MIA positions.
Thanks for any advice!
1) Eli or Romo (or Dalton, Cutler, Teddy, etc)
2) Julius or Clay or Ertz
3) L.Miller or Asiata
*Note: I'm have MIA defense in at the moment too so not sure if I want to use more than 2 MIA positions.
Thanks for any advice!
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
I can't believe Eli vs. Romo is actually debatable. Let me put it this way; I have Romo this week and my opponent has Eli. I would trade with him in a heartbeat.
Tennessee_ATO
Footballguy
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
Line is now down to 3.5 and there is a near-90% chance of rain. These cats ain't playing very long. :(
Tennessee_ATO
Footballguy
Romo has had recent back surgery then suffered fractures in his back earlier this year. If anyone thinks he's playing long, all I can say is good luck with that.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
I was holding out hope (2-QB league) because my other options are not good. But I'm gonna suck it up and just pretend he's injured.
Darryl Talley
Footballguy
Who is starting James White?
Marcell Dareus has been ruled out.
Marcell Dareus has been ruled out.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
So confused.... 
@AdamSchefter Cowboys HC Jason Garrett practiced his starters this week as if he were playing them in regular role, with no extra reps for Dallas backups.
@AdamSchefter Cowboys HC Jason Garrett practiced his starters this week as if he were playing them in regular role, with no extra reps for Dallas backups.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
And Jerry is sticking to the script:
There seems to be zero reason for subterfuge here. What difference would it make if he said "Yeah, we expect to get our #1's out of the game at some point and give the backups some work." Jerry and Garrett have been flat-out lying all week just so Washington doesn't prepare for Brandon Weeden? Makes no sense.
Han Solo
Footballguy
I'm not sure what is so hard to understand. The cowboys are playing to win. Jerry jones always shows his hand. Always, no secrets. He doesn't have whatever it is you need in him to play coy. The starters are playing and playing to win. Make no mistake.
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
BustedKnuckles
Footballguy
why is everyone so focused on just The Cowboys
packersfan
Footballguy
This appears to be what we know right now with the Patriots, Cowboys and Colts:
Patriots
Brady not expected to play more than a half. Gronk may not play at all. Same with Edelman (still dealing with a concussion). Gray ruled out. The Patriots called up a practice squad WR this weekend which would seem to indicate Edelman (and possibly LaFell) won't play. Good luck figuring out how Vereen and Blount are handled if they play.
Cowboys
Two reports - one national and one by a Cowboys beat writer - say Dallas is playing like a normal game today. But game flow could impact how the top guys are treated. But as of 9 am ET everything points to Romo, Murray and Dez playing like normal today.
Colts
Pagano said early last week he would play this game like normal. I haven't seen follow-ups of any kind since.
If I'm missing anything please let me know but that seems to be where we're at right now with 4 hours to go before all three teams play.
Patriots
Brady not expected to play more than a half. Gronk may not play at all. Same with Edelman (still dealing with a concussion). Gray ruled out. The Patriots called up a practice squad WR this weekend which would seem to indicate Edelman (and possibly LaFell) won't play. Good luck figuring out how Vereen and Blount are handled if they play.
Cowboys
Two reports - one national and one by a Cowboys beat writer - say Dallas is playing like a normal game today. But game flow could impact how the top guys are treated. But as of 9 am ET everything points to Romo, Murray and Dez playing like normal today.
Colts
Pagano said early last week he would play this game like normal. I haven't seen follow-ups of any kind since.
If I'm missing anything please let me know but that seems to be where we're at right now with 4 hours to go before all three teams play.
Cheesedawg
Footballguy
I've been surprised by the lack of follow-ups on the Colts. They don't seem to have anything to play for, but they haven't played very well lately so I think there is some credibility to Pagano's early-week guidance that they will play as normal. I guess the beat reporters must believe that because they haven't continued to poke around the issue.
Cheesedawg
Footballguy
Line was 4 when I went to bed last night. It is 5.5 now. Looks like the sharps are convinced that Dallas will play hard all game.
Neal Cassady
Footballguy
I've looked everywhere and haven't seen anything other than they had a players only meeting and have recommitted to winning a super bowl. Have seen a couple places where they feel it's important to turn things around starting this weekend. Also mentioned that they were anxious to get back on the field after last weeks embarrassment. Having said all that, I didn't see anything about specific playing time. My fear is that they could come out and move the ball down field at will and score a couple early TD's and Pagano says "let's wrap this up, I've seen enough." I'm going with Bridgewater at home against the Bears. I can't risk Luck sitting the entire second half and feel Bridgewater gives me a higher ceiling.
Stinkin Ref
IBL Representative
I think it important to remember that the politiically correct thing to say in the NFL is "we are playng to win" or "we are planning on playing normally" etc......teams are encouraged to at least give this impressiion going into the game......the NFL (and Vegas) don't want to see teams present anything close to the "we don't really care if we win or not, all we want to do is come out healthy" or something of that nature.....no way the NFL wants them to say "we realize it doesn't mean anything so we are going into this game with a half ### attitude"......even if a team has ZERO intention of not playing full bore, they aren't going to say it ahead of time.....once the game starts, EVERYTHING changes....
BustedKnuckles
Footballguy
Amendola should be a safe play with Edelman and Gronk out...he would play the whole game even after Brady is pulled
Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
TY Tony. 
newbie_bewbie
Footballguy
Shouldn't have started Julius... And who would have thought MIA defense would have gotten chopped up by the Jets?? Well... Here's to hoping for 30 out of LeVeon and Green
