We could be in a very awkward position two weeks from now

[TWOK11]

If we beat Philly next week, and the now hapless and rudderless Commanders lose to the improving Giants, here will be the standings going into week 15 with 3 games to play:

Dallas 8-5
Philly 6-7
Washington 6-7

Because of tiebreakers, in this scenario we would have to finish 0-3 and either Washington or Philly 3-0 to lose the division. Both Washington and Philly have likely losses in both weeks 15 and 16 and play each other in week 17.

It is almost likely that Dallas will be all but eliminated from first round bye contention unless the Saints lose to the Bucs next week.

What this means is, effectively, we could be essentially locked into the 3/4 seed with three games left to play. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a playoff team with essentially nothing to play for for three weeks.

It will be interesting if this plays out to see how we handle it both from an effort and personnel standpoint. Do we sit guys like Lee, Tyron, Martin, Tavon, etc who maybe could play but have been hurt?

 

[DallasBlockersClub]

If we beat Philly next week, and the now hapless and rudderless Commanders lose to the improving Giants, here will be the standings going into week 15 with 3 games to play:

Dallas 8-5
Philly 6-7
Washington 6-7

Because of tiebreakers, in this scenario we would have to finish 0-3 and either Washington or Philly 3-0 to lose the division. Both Washington and Philly have likely losses in both weeks 15 and 16 and play each other in week 17.

It is almost likely that Dallas will be all but eliminated from first round bye contention unless the Saints lose to the Bucs next week.

What this means is, effectively, we could be essentially locked into the 3/4 seed with three games left to play. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a playoff team with essentially nothing to play for for three weeks.

It will be interesting if this plays out to see how we handle it both from an effort and personnel standpoint. Do we sit guys like Lee, Tyron, Martin, Tavon, etc who maybe could play but have been hurt?

I hope not. We have alot to work on before a potential road game in NO or LA, to say nothing of a tough first round opponent (who may have already beaten us, ala Sea or Car).

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

Hopefully Garrett learned from the past few years. Going THAT many weeks in coast mode just leads to slopiness, even if it's early in a playoff game. Need to keep pushing it and have everyone playing

 

[TWOK11]

I hope not. We have alot to work on before a potential road game in NO or LA, to say nothing of a tough first round opponent (who may have already beaten us, ala Sea or Car).

Carolina is done IMO, they have two games against the Saints left and really need to win out because they lose tiebreakers to Seattle and Minnesota.

The NFC playoffs are going to look like this:

1/2 LA/NO
3/4 Chicago/Dallas
5/6 Seattle/Minnesota

Barring someone tanking or getting a roll unexpectedly.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Do we sit guys like Lee, Tyron, Martin, Tavon, etc who maybe could play but have been hurt?

I sit guys if they are hurt. Otherwise, you play. Every game.

 

[jazzcat22]

Actually, more likely the last 2 weeks. If that scenario happens next week, we will still need to win one more game. So beat the Colts. Play TB as a normal game. If we are locked into one of the two seeds, and the NY game has no bearing on it. Then rest the starters, use that as a,bye week for the WC game.

Unless 3rd seed is in play, then we will probably need to win out still.

 

[gmoney112]

Only sit guys that could really use rest and are important. If Tyron or Martin need a week or two, sure.

Otherwise, play to win every game.

 

[Established1971]

If we beat Philly next week, and the now hapless and rudderless Commanders lose to the improving Giants, here will be the standings going into week 15 with 3 games to play:

Dallas 8-5
Philly 6-7
Washington 6-7

Because of tiebreakers, in this scenario we would have to finish 0-3 and either Washington or Philly 3-0 to lose the division. Both Washington and Philly have likely losses in both weeks 15 and 16 and play each other in week 17.

It is almost likely that Dallas will be all but eliminated from first round bye contention unless the Saints lose to the Bucs next week.

What this means is, effectively, we could be essentially locked into the 3/4 seed with three games left to play. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a playoff team with essentially nothing to play for for three weeks.

It will be interesting if this plays out to see how we handle it both from an effort and personnel standpoint. Do we sit guys like Lee, Tyron, Martin, Tavon, etc who maybe could play but have been hurt?

you took a long time to cycle back to your subject line
nevertheless, intriguing question

 

[gmoney112]

Carolina is done IMO, they have two games against the Saints left and really need to win out because they lose tiebreakers to Seattle and Minnesota.

The NFC playoffs are going to look like this:

1/2 LA/NO
3/4 Chicago/Dallas
5/6 Seattle/Minnesota

Barring someone tanking or getting a roll unexpectedly.

Yeah, basically. Possible chance we get 3 seed but unlikely, this is basically what I figured was most likely after looking at it too.

I really didnt want to play Seattle first round. Would have preferred Vikes. Seattle is getting hot and their schedule is pretty soft. It'd be a great game though.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

No!!!!!!!! You keep playing, especially until the final game of the season. Then maybe if our seed is locked in, I'd play my starters for only a half for the final game. For a young team with little or no post-season experience, confidence is everything. The last thing they need IMO, is going into post-season having lost the last 2 or 3 games, even if they were meaningless.

 

[WeaponX]

Sitting guys didnt work well for us in 2016; play them all (maybe rest Zeke more than usual, but play nonetheless)

 

[JD_KaPow]

Carolina is done IMO, they have two games against the Saints left and really need to win out because they lose tiebreakers to Seattle and Minnesota.

The NFC playoffs are going to look like this:

1/2 LA/NO
3/4 Chicago/Dallas
5/6 Seattle/Minnesota

Barring someone tanking or getting a roll unexpectedly.

I'm not high on Minnesota, the way they're playing. The Eagles could very well be in the mix.

 

[Zordon]

only guy you rest is tyron.

 

[TWOK11]

I'm not high on Minnesota, the way they're playing. The Eagles could very well be in the mix.

But again, the Eagles are going to finish with a minimum of 8 losses barring two fairly significant upsets. Is Minnesota going to finish 1-3?

 

[JD_KaPow]

But again, the Eagles are going to finish with a minimum of 8 losses barring two fairly significant upsets. Is Minnesota going to finish 1-3?

I wouldn't favor them @SEA or vs. CHI. Which means one upset either of MIN or by PHI. Certainly possible.

 

[cern]

If we're in that position, i could see us spelling starters, but only in the last half of games. Continue winning.

 

[Verdict]

But again, the Eagles are going to finish with a minimum of 8 losses barring two fairly significant upsets. Is Minnesota going to finish 1-3?

You never really know

 

[Chrispierce]

I think this is a must play situation for this team. They have to keep playing,to keep playing in a winning rhythm. Keeps that edge to them.

 

[Bobhaze]

If we beat Philly next week, and the now hapless and rudderless Commanders lose to the improving Giants, here will be the standings going into week 15 with 3 games to play:

Dallas 8-5
Philly 6-7
Washington 6-7

Because of tiebreakers, in this scenario we would have to finish 0-3 and either Washington or Philly 3-0 to lose the division. Both Washington and Philly have likely losses in both weeks 15 and 16 and play each other in week 17.

It is almost likely that Dallas will be all but eliminated from first round bye contention unless the Saints lose to the Bucs next week.

What this means is, effectively, we could be essentially locked into the 3/4 seed with three games left to play. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a playoff team with essentially nothing to play for for three weeks.

It will be interesting if this plays out to see how we handle it both from an effort and personnel standpoint. Do we sit guys like Lee, Tyron, Martin, Tavon, etc who maybe could play but have been hurt?

That is interesting. But surely it has been made abundantly clear that the NFL is THE most unpredictable league in sports. Just when you think it’s clear what’s going to happen....

How many of us thought the night of the Titans game disaster that this team was headed for a four game losing streak. This team could still go 7-9. Not predicting it, but I wasn’t predicting this recent turnaround either. The difference between NFL teams is paper thin. I don’t care who’s on the schedule, they can beat you. Like the giants, or the bucs who beat the aints in week one.

All this team should be doing and thinking about is to just win the next game. Every week. Win, and you control everything.

 

[Vinnie2u]

I'd sit Zeke. Fresh Zeke in the Playoffs is a good thing..