Atlanta 12/29/2012 5:08:57 AM
Will any Team be Resting Starters in Week 17
The usual year end worry, a few of the better NFL teams have achieved everything there is to achieve up to this point so there is a risk of a shutdown until the playoffs.
Atlanta Falcons, clinched the top seed and home field advantage in the NFC: Smith said, earlier this week, “We’re going to play the game to win.” Apparently Smith intends to adjust his team’s bye-week schedule as well. It will be surprising not to see Luke McCown at the Atlanta helm at some point. Even if Matt Ryan only sees the field for 2-3 quarters against the Bucs, it’ll still be against the league’s 32nd pass defense.
Baltimore Ravens, clinched division title but not a bye: The Ravens can still get the 3rd spot in the AFC if the Patriots lose to Miami. No matter what happens though, they will still host a game in the Wild Card round. This week is a very respectable Cincinnati defense, ranking eighth in the NFL against the run and tenth against the pass.
While Baltimore is not against sitting a few key people, whoever goes on the field will be playing at their max speed.
Cincinnati Bengals, clinched the No. 6 seed in the AFC: The Bengals can’t actually improve their spot by winning but Marvin Lewis doesn’t seem to care. He has had no success with Week 17 shutdowns in the past.
Cincinnati has young players in key positions. Even if a daunting match-up awaits, it would be nice to have “Mo” going into the postseason.
Indianapolis Colts, clinched No. 5 seed in the AFC: Hosting the Texans in Week 17, they need to win to secure home field in the AFC. On the other hand the result of the game doesn’t matter much to the Colts but according to Reggie Wayne, “We’re too young to rest,”
Indianapolis usually rested its stars during the Manning era, but that seems to be less likely in Andrew Luck’s first year.
