Week 18 Which teams won't play to win?

[seaborneq]

Teams that have nothing to play for: Playoff seeding/future draft pick locked.

SF, Baltimore, KC, Cleveland, Detroit, Carolina, Cincinnati, Chargers, Denver, Philly, Dallas, Arizona, Rams, Minnesota, Tennessee, NYG

Teams that have something to play for: Playoffs/save coach's job/save player's job

Chicago, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Jets, NE, Atlanta, TB, NO, Washington, Buffalo, Miami, Seattle, Houston, Indy, Jax, Green Bay

I can see Baltimore playing Pittsburgh tough and Cleveland giving Cincinnati fits. Which teams are candidates to mail it in this weekend?

I see SF, KC, Detroit, Denver, Philly, NE, Washington, and Chargers not putting much effort in winning or covering this weekend. What am I missing with this thought going into the last week?

 

[carolinakid]

you got to put carolina on the top of the list, they even hate their own owner here and want out for many of them to another team

 

[BMR Genie]

I think the Ravens won’t be playing their starters, so the Steelers have a chance.

 

[seaborneq]

you got to put carolina on the top of the list, they even hate their own owner here and want out for many of them to another team

After that shutout Sunday, everyone is playing to keep their jobs. If your owner cares enough to throw drinks, then you better care too. I can see Carolina playing TB close all the way to the 4th quarter, but I can also see Baker Mayfield choking away a Bucs win too.

 

[sharpsquare]

this last week is a hell of a puzzle to try and put together every year.

 

[sharpsquare]

After that shutout Sunday, everyone is playing to keep their jobs. If your owner cares enough to throw drinks, then you better care too. I can see Carolina playing TB close all the way to the 4th quarter, but I can also see Baker Mayfield choking away a Bucs win too.

Divison rivals too so that adds a little into the mix as well

 

[theriver55]

you got to put carolina on the top of the list, they even hate their own owner here and want out for many of them to another team

yeah TB should blow out CAR CK. Surprised the line is only TB-5.5

 

[seaborneq]

this last week is a hell of a puzzle to try and put together every year.

You have to start somewhere. Sometimes just knowing who is NOT playing says a lot. Second and third stringers won't win or cover many games. I can see Detroit, SF, Balt, KC, Philly, and Rams resting starters even though they may have byes or seedings still up in the air.

 

[seaborneq]

yeah TB should blow out CAR CK. Surprised the line is only TB-5.5

Why is the line only 5.5 if TB should blow them out? Panthers were shut out last week. It would only take two field goals or a TD to cover. TB looked sick last week with everything to play for.

 

[seaborneq]

I think the Ravens won’t be playing their starters, so the Steelers have a chance.

That game is the most intriguing game to me. Tyler Huntley and Harbaugh would love to keep Pittsburgh out of the playoffs. The line (3.5) is very small considering Baltimore has nothing to play for and Pittsburgh has everything to play for. Easy play would be Pittsburgh, but I don't think its that easy.

 

[sharpsquare]

You have to start somewhere. Sometimes just knowing who is NOT playing says a lot. Second and third stringers won't win or cover many games. I can see Detroit, SF, Balt, KC, Philly, and Rams resting starters even though they may have byes or seedings still up in the air.

Agreed it's the right place to start. Plus motivation as some of those teams out of the playoffs may also sit a few guys with minor bumps and bruises also having nothing to play for a potentially better pick spot w/ an additional loss. from there, it gets a bit more complicated.

Bye's and seeding all come into play and you also have to figure in the group of players with the big incentives and performance based bonuses on the line etc as they may get a bit more run in some of these games to get there which can potentially affect an outcome whichever way.

 

[theriver55]

Why is the line only 5.5 if TB should blow them out? Panthers were shut out last week. It would only take two field goals or a TD to cover. TB looked sick last week with everything to play for.

yeah valid points. But you can ask yourself too why was Jax only laying 6.5 with Lawrence and 4 with Beathard last week. CAR is a dumpster fire. from the top down. Maybe CAR covers the number but TB ML should be safe I would think.

 

[jjgold]

Stop please

every team plays to win just look at the last few weeks. Bad teams they’re killing themselves players are playing for contracts you’re a massive square if you’re handicapping that angle.

 

[sharpsquare]

First hit of news here:

Chiefs coach Andy Reid tells reporters that QB Patrick Mahomes won't play against the #Chargers, along with some other starters. Blaine Gabbert starts.

 

[sharpsquare]

Stop please

every team plays to win just look at the last few weeks. Bad teams they’re killing themselves players are playing for contracts you’re a massive square if you’re handicapping that angle.

Sure but u are not handicapping the angle per se. It factors in situationally though no matter what. You are handicapping the facts and that includes players who are sitting, playoff potential, etc, and then the outlying data which includes these kinds of angles and things. So it has its place in the overall plan of attack, don't u think?

 

[seaborneq]

Stop please

every team plays to win just look at the last few weeks. Bad teams they’re killing themselves players are playing for contracts you’re a massive square if you’re handicapping that angle.

Get out of here career loser. Adults are talking

 

[seaborneq]

First hit of news here:

Chiefs coach Andy Reid tells reporters that QB Patrick Mahomes won't play against the #Chargers, along with some other starters. Blaine Gabbert starts.

Good information. I noticed the Chargers line kept going up even though they are the worst team in the division while KC won it. Knowing the Chargers they still won't cover. KC could beat Chargers with Andy Ried taking snaps.

 

[jjgold]

Everything is baked into the line. You could bet at least 50,000 on sides. Any book

 

[seaborneq]

Everything is baked into the line. You could bet at least 50,000 on sides. Any book

If its baked into the line why does the line keep moving? Your input is not wanted or needed in this thread. See ya. Go get your post count up elsewhere.

 

[healthnjoy]

So wait... Steelers can still get in if they win? Meaning Ravens can kick out a bitter rival from the playoffs?