Cleveland possibly resting starters.

[pipe]

With playoffs clinched, Browns may rest QB Joe Flacco, other starters for finale vs. Bengals

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns are in both the playoffs and an unusual spot: They can treat their regular-season finale like a preseason game. With a wild-card berth already locked up, Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski indicated Monday he may rest some starters, including red-hot quarterback Joe...

www.yahoo.com

 

[Pimike]

This week will be meaningless to many teams

 

[chuckythegoat2]

Good stuff, pipe. This is a great handicapping week for sorting out information.

A few basic ideas:
1) The NFL roster and taxi squad is not infinite. Can only rest a handful of key guys. It's also true that some players may get instructions to not go all-out.
2) Can the OTHER team take advantage of the situation?

Browns are a good one. Very much a dead rubber.

My top candidate for lay-down this week = RAVENS. If you understand the playoff implications, the Ravens should WANT to lose. Chance to get the Steelers in...and a chance to eliminate the Bills (who are a more dangerous team).

 

[jjgold]

Everything‘s baked into the line. There’s no secrets here.

 

[pipe]

Good stuff, pipe. This is a great handicapping week for sorting out information.

A few basic ideas:
1) The NFL roster and taxi squad is not infinite. Can only rest a handful of key guys. It's also true that some players may get instructions to not go all-out.
2) Can the OTHER team take advantage of the situation?

Browns are a good one. Very much a dead rubber.

My top candidate for lay-down this week = RAVENS. If you understand the playoff implications, the Ravens should WANT to lose. Chance to get the Steelers in...and a chance to eliminate the Bills (who are a more dangerous team).

Buffalo is gonna win the AFC east I didn't think it was possible but here it is. One game for the division. Gonna be a good one

 

[agendaman]

7 playoff spots are up for grabs incl. 4 division titles.imagine the ravens being plus 3.5.as jj said the lines tell the story.e.g the dolphins are a 3.5 pt. dog at home.

 

[stormtrooper8]

7 playoff spots are up for grabs incl. 4 division titles.imagine the ravens being plus 3.5.as jj said the lines tell the story.e.g the dolphins are a 3.5 pt. dog at home.

Dolphins line is an interesting overreaction

 

[Tanko]

This week is extremely difficult to cap most NFL games. Who will show up for each team and what to do for teams that don't have a dog in the hunt. Cleveland and Ravens are perfect examples.

 

[stormtrooper8]

Probably have to back Pittsburgh since they obviously have a lot to play for

Very easily could make it now

 

[BMR Genie]

I feel like it removes the momentum from the players.

 

[jjgold]

Probably have to back Pittsburgh since they obviously have a lot to play for

Very easily could make it now

never make that mistake players are playing for contracts if a team is 0-17 you get 2000% effort

 

[chuckythegoat2]

Probably have to back Pittsburgh since they obviously have a lot to play for

Very easily could make it now

Stormy, what do you think about DET this week?

Pretty much locked into the 3-seed. Slim chance of moving up to 2-seed?

Vikings will go to kickoff with at least a mathematical chance of qualifying for playoffs. They should give a good effort.

Campbell made a big deal about Lions winning the division. Playing versus 7-seed might mean avoiding the Rams. How do you see Campbell treating this game?

 

[Tanko]

Stormy, what do you think about DET this week?

Pretty much locked into the 3-seed. Slim chance of moving up to 2-seed?

Vikings will go to kickoff with at least a mathematical chance of qualifying for playoffs. They should give a good effort.

Campbell made a big deal about Lions winning the division. Playing versus 7-seed might mean avoiding the Rams. How do you see Campbell treating this game?

I love this kind of insight. Thanks Chucky.
Hopefully, Stormy replies.

 

[stormtrooper8]

Stormy, what do you think about DET this week?

Pretty much locked into the 3-seed. Slim chance of moving up to 2-seed?

Vikings will go to kickoff with at least a mathematical chance of qualifying for playoffs. They should give a good effort.

Campbell made a big deal about Lions winning the division. Playing versus 7-seed might mean avoiding the Rams. How do you see Campbell treating this game?

Very good post

This is a game I’m going back and forth on

Vikings may have a chance to qualify still, but god they’re so bad at QB

Lions have to be thinking they’re probably locked into 3 seed. They kind of “need” a bye

I don’t think they’re afraid of the Rams versus any particular 7 seed. Remember, Packers and Seahawks both won in Detroit this year

 

[chuckythegoat2]

I don't know how O'Connell started Hall last week. Guy had only thrown a few balls as a pro.

I watched most of the first Det/Min game. Vikings really could have (or should have) won. Mullens is a hi-risk/hi-reward guy. He'll make plays but also make mistakes.

I can say that Jefferson's return opened up the Lion 2ndary. They didn't know how to stop him.

 

[chuckythegoat2]

Oh, wow, line dipped to -3.

Sometimes, you snooze, you lose. Looks like the logic was correct. Lions can't be too serious for this game.

 

[pipe]

Buffalo is gonna win the AFC east I didn't think it was possible but here it is. One game for the division. Gonna be a good one

I said it boom.