With the Buffalo Bills already set as the No. 5 seed, should they be playing their starters? That’s the main question as we look at what we know this week
Irony would be the song So-Hard by The Pet Shop Boys being on Satellite radio as I sit down to write.
“Why don’t we try. Not to break our hearts and make it so hard for ourselves?”
The lyrics, not about football obviously. But they sure hit home based on what I was going to cover. I was presently thinking that Buffalo Bills leadership is making this week’s decisions much harder than needed.
If the Bills had beat the Pats and mathematically were still in the hunt for a division title, play the starters. If they could currently better their position as a Wild Card team, I would agree with the current philosophy.
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That said, where they are at will not change based on the Jets game. Why risk an injury to Josh Allen? His ability of resurgence when a play breaks down is so unique.
I understand this is not a team of proven winners like Thurman Thomas, Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith, Andre Reed, or some of the others from the almost-a-dynasty teams. I understand that Allen can use as many reps as possible.
Him playing well against the Jets does nothing for his first playoff performance. He has thrown great balls and horrible balls. That will not change with one more tough defense trying to crush him.
He should be resting. Key offensive players and defensive players should not be exposed to the Jets players lobbying for jobs for next season.
Yes, they could get hurt in practice. Sure they could fall down the stairs at home. They could roll an ankle returning gifts at the Galleria mall. But the odds of injury in a massive contact sport are significantly higher than a practice with safeguards in place.
St. Sebastian protects athletes. I would think that would be against paralyzing injury. Not from getting banged up and unable to go in a wildcard game. Believe it or not, real-life problems exist and take priority within the communion of Saints and wildcard playoff games just might not be important enough for divine intervention.
St. Sebastian may have assisted Kevin Everett. Possibly Clint Malarchuk. Not the Bills center from a banged-up nagging injury that would cause him to miss one game. Not a painful condition that one plays through, but nowhere near a peak performer.
What do I know?
I know I would sit key players including Josh Allen. It sounds all disciplined that they need real live-action reps. That certainly changes if key players go down with an injury. Even if a wide receiver or running back gets banged up but still can play, will that player be equally effective with nagging pains?
Don’t risk it. Sit key players out. Pull others out after a couple of possessions by whichever side of the ball they play. I’m certain this will still take place to a certain degree. I digress…
Things we know this week about the Buffalo Bills:
- Offensive tackle Ty Neske has not practiced or played since week 11 when he injured his ankle. He was taking full part in practice after Christmas which could indicate he may be ready to play Sunday or certainly for the playoffs.
- Buffalo will travel to Houston or Kansas City-based on the outcomes of those two teams in the final week of the season. The results of the Bills game against the Jets in Orchard Park has no impact on that scenario
- Duke Williams will play against the Jets. He certainly deserves it as he has been practicing against Tre’Davious White making some amazing catches. We may just be witnessing a receiver who quietly has improved significantly due to his competition every practice. He scored the wining touchdown against the Titans earlier this season which was his first NFL game.
- Winning this game gathering 11 wins would be fantastic. Running for the locker room injury free would be more significant.