If the Hawks lock up the division in week 16, should they sit the starters?

[Wolverine830872]

If the Niners lose, and the Hawks win in week 16, the Hawks clinch the division. There will ultimately still be seeding issues, but if GB also loses, the Hawks would be guaranteed 1st or 2nd seed.

Assuming all of this plays out in week 16, do we try to stay healthy for the playoffs, or try to beat the niners for bragging rights, and use it as a last tune up game?

 

[JMR]

They actually need some minor help to clinch the NFCW next week even if we win and SF loses, but the question is unchanged.

No, they need to try to keep it rolling to get the 1 seed. That would potentially put this team just a couple home playoff wins away from the SB, and that reward is enough to risk starters in week 17. Now if we somehow have the 1 seed locked up (unlikely but possible) then maybe it's a different story.

 

[dkmightyhammer]

With the close bunching of the top NFC teams this year there is almost no way any of them will be resting players in their last game.

However, Seattle and San Fran will have a small advantage over GB and New Orleans because in week 17 all the games are early morning starts with the exception of 3 games: Oak at Denver (nothing game), Zona at Rams (probably a nothing game as well), and San Fran at Seattle. So we'll have the benefit of knowing who won the early games and we'll know exactly where we stand going into our game vs the Niners. That tiny bit of knowledge may end up being extremely useful in deciding if we can rest anyone or not.

 

[Screamin12th]

Hawks Reaction to 49ers loss

 

[Montalban]

If the Niners lose, and the Hawks win in week 16, the Hawks clinch the division. There will ultimately still be seeding issues, but if GB also loses, the Hawks would be guaranteed 1st or 2nd seed.

Assuming all of this plays out in week 16, do we try to stay healthy for the playoffs, or try to beat the niners for bragging rights, and use it as a last tune up game?

I would try to keep and get everyone healthy. That gives their players three weeks to rest and get ready for their first playoff game.

 

[Anointed One]

Banged up guys like Clowney, Wagner and Kendricks for sure... But I would play the starters for a half or so...

 

[FirebreathingMonkey]

Well it was fun while it lasted josh gorden pop for ped. He gone

 

[Cave_Johnson]

I'm not about to look past Arizona considering they've been a pain in the ass to play at the Clink for some reason lately.

But if somehow Seattle has the division locked up I still don't think you rest starters. Only time that's correct IMO is if you're locked into a seed. The 1 will still likely be on the line.

That said I do think you rest certain guys you might not rest in this situation. Lots of injuries right now so I would not be shocked to see some guys sit out.

 

[Wolverine830872]

I'm not about to look past Arizona considering they've been a pain in the ass to play at the Clink for some reason lately.

But if somehow Seattle has the division locked up I still don't think you rest starters. Only time that's correct IMO is if you're locked into a seed. The 1 will still likely be on the line.

That said I do think you rest certain guys you might not rest in this situation. Lots of injuries right now so I would not be shocked to see some guys sit out.

as weird as this sounds, I would almost prefer to get the #2 seed and let the Saints get the #1. The thought being that SF would be a very dangerous #5/#6 seed and would likely play the #1.

 

[JMR]

as weird as this sounds, I would almost prefer to get the #2 seed and let the Saints get the #1. The thought being that SF would be a very dangerous #5/#6 seed and would likely play the #1.

But I'm not sold that SF goes into Dallas or even Philly and automatically wins. Also, I think the 2 seed is a good bet anyway even if we win out because right now I'm not thinking GB is going to win in Minn this week. And if we are only tied with NO, they're the 1 and we're the 2. We really need the Saints to lose tonight to Indy.

 

[Wolverine830872]

But I'm not sold that SF goes into Dallas or even Philly and automatically wins. Also, I think the 2 seed is a good bet anyway even if we win out because right now I'm not thinking GB is going to win in Minn this week. And if we are only tied with NO, they're the 1 and we're the 2. We really need the Saints to lose tonight to Indy.

yeah I'm definitely looking forward to the game tonight. I need Pascal to get me 31 points in a non-PPR league to win!

 

[JMR]

yeah I'm definitely looking forward to the game tonight. I need Pascal to get me 31 points in a non-PPR league to win!

Heh. I have no idea who Pascal even is, which probably explains why this is my weakest FFL effort since I started playing in the late 90s.

 

[MrS]

Its looking like we need to win week 17, rest starters this week instead.

 

[JMR]

Its looking like we need to win week 17, rest starters this week instead.

Yeah, right. If we lose to the Cardinals, we MUST beat SF in week 17 to win the division even if they lose to the Rams this week. Making yourself more vulnerable to that would be colossally stupid. But if we beat AZ, it's possible to win the division even if we lose to SF.

Not a single team playing for anything playoff-related this week is resting starters just to rest them.

 

[MrS]

Next week may be entirely irrelevant for the division. 90% chance we have to beat san fran week 17 regardless.

 

[JMR]

Next week may be entirely irrelevant for the division. 90% chance we have to beat san fran week 17 regardless.

Even if this is true (and clearly you pulled that 90% out of your ass), the game vs AZ still factors in when it comes to seeding. We can still win the division with a loss to AZ, but our chances for a 1st round bye drop dramatically.

So yeah, there's no chance we are resting players this week to save them up for some game in the future.

 

[Judge Fudge]

If the Niners lose, and the Hawks win in week 16, the Hawks clinch the division. There will ultimately still be seeding issues, but if GB also loses, the Hawks would be guaranteed 1st or 2nd seed.

Assuming all of this plays out in week 16, do we try to stay healthy for the playoffs, or try to beat the niners for bragging rights, and use it as a last tune up game?

Wolverine. Outside of the political forum we have a understanding I think. Thus I say this as delicacy as I can......


HELL NO. If the #1 seed is on the fucking line. You play to have everyone's road run through Seattle.

Remember this stat.

Under the Carroll/Schindler era. WE HAVE NOT LOST A HOME PLAYOFF GAME.

 

[Screamin12th]

rest starters? looking past Cards? What is wrong with you guys! lol Screw that the Hawks need to win BOTH these games to secure home field advantage ( Either #1 or #2 seed ). Hawks just need to DO THEIR JOB and win BOTH GAMES! Also being 4-2 @home leaves a bad taste in my mouth. 1 loss i can live with but 2 is BS when you look at who they lost to and how. Back up QB in one game and Turnovers in another.

Also Teams that rest starters don't tend to do so good in the playoffs if my memory is correct on this.

 

[Wolverine830872]

Its looking like we need to win week 17, rest starters this week instead.

Nice thing is, SF plays on Saturday. If they lose, then we WILL absolutely lock up the division if we win on Sunday.

We will lock up the #2 seed if the Vikings beat GB. We will lock up the #1 seed if the Titans also beat the Saints.

ESPN.com's 2019 NFL Playoff Machine - Simulate Matchups and Scenarios

 

[Wolverine830872]

rest starters? looking past Cards? What is wrong with you guys! lol Screw that the Hawks need to win BOTH these games to secure home field advantage ( Either #1 or #2 seed ). Hawks just need to DO THEIR JOB and win BOTH GAMES! Also being 4-2 @home leaves a bad taste in my mouth. 1 loss i can live with but 2 is BS when you look at who they lost to and how. Back up QB in one game and Turnovers in another.

Also Teams that rest starters don't tend to do so good in the playoffs if my memory is correct on this.

the team should definitely not look past the Cardinals, but us pontificating about "what-ifs" won't have any bearing on the game.

We can clinch the #1 seed in Week 16 I believe. We win, SF losses, GB losses, Saints lose.

EDIT: looks like in addition to the above, either GB or MIN would have to WIN in week 17 for us to clinch the #1 seed (weird right?)