Marauders11 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I am surprised that they Bengals & Patriots both aren't likely to play all of their starters this week because all that is at stake is the 3 vs. 4 seed in the playoffs. Imagine if Cincy tanks this week and NE gets the #3 seed- then Cincy ends up facing NE in the AFC Championship in Foxboro rather than Ohio- to me that is incentive enough to play my regulars- ANY potential advantage for the playoff push should be something worth fighting for don't you think? Maybe this scenario isn't very likely but you never know- strange things can happen....besides if you are Cincy especially don't you have to approach it like you ARE going to win in the playoffs so you should prepare mentally to knock off the Colts and potentially host a championship game. someone explain this "nothing to play for" logic to me please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msaint Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 As someone starting Brady and Chad in a "fantasy pro bowl" game this weekend, I hope they each get at least 3 quarters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I agree. You should play to be the highest seed possible. However, last year, when the Colts played the Chargers, it basically decided the #3 and #4 seeds. The Colts won, earned the #3, and guaranteed themselves not facing the #1 seed until the AFC Championships. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh was the #1. New England was the #2. Would the Colts have advanced to the AFC Championship if they had played Pittsburgh in the second round? I think so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauders11 Posted December 30, 2005 Author Share Posted December 30, 2005 to me it's all about home field- if there is any possibility of hosting the Championship game I'd go for it if I were a coach-seems like a no brainer to me- I saw a quote from Brady today where he mentioned the fact that to get to the Super Bowl you have to play good teams throughout regardless so trying to win or lose this week to basically choose your match-ups is pointless- it's not pointless to maybe get yourself a home match-up against one of those good teams though so the #3 seed could be very important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I will say, if Cincy gets the 3, they draw a division rival in Pittsburgh. At 4, they get a very banged up Jaguars team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 (edited) Everything I've read says Cincy starters will play and play to win. Rudi Johnson is playing to break 1500 yards. TJ Houshamnzadeh is playing for 1000 yards. Marvin Lewis has some gamesmanship with Palmer refusing to name a starter, but Carson is taking the 1st team reps every practice so what does that say? I'm starting all my Bengals with confidence. The nothing to play for stuff is coming out of journalists and talking heads IMO. I haven't heard of a single player quoted to that effect. The #3 seed and possibility of playing the AFC Championship at home is something worth having. Edited December 30, 2005 by The Irish Doggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marauders11 Posted December 30, 2005 Author Share Posted December 30, 2005 Everything I've read says Cincy starters will play and play to win. Rudi Johnson is playing to break 1500 yards. TJ Houshamnzadeh is playing for 1000 yards. Marvin Lewis has some gamesmanship with Palmer refusing to name a starter, but Carson is taking the 1st team reps every practice so what does that say? I'm starting all my Bengals with confidence. The nothing to play for stuff is coming out of journalists and talking heads IMO. I haven't heard of a single player quoted to that effect. The #3 seed and possibility of playing the AFC Championship at home is something worth having. 1242127[/snapback] Vegas has KC as a 7 point favorite- that might suggest something... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slusy Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I dunno. As a Pats fan, I think I'd rather have the 4th seed than the 3rd. I don't like the idea of hosting either a resurgent Steelers or the Chiefs who came into Foxboro and beat us silly, when the alternative is a beat up Jags who may or may not have Leftwich, and who may or may not have a healthy running back. Given that the next round opponents are equally daunting (the Broncos in Denver or Indy at the dome), I think I'd say to hell with home field and take my chances with the 4th seed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grits and Shins Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I haven't heard either Cincy or NE claim they have nothing to play for ... clearly home field advantage in round 2 is a prize worth having. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainHook Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 (edited) I haven't heard either Cincy or NE claim they have nothing to play for ... clearly home field advantage in round 2 is a prize worth having. 1242283[/snapback] Neither of them can have home field advantage in the second round. I'm sure you meant third. Although, the #3 seed has never hosted the Championship game since the current play-off format was adopted in 1990. It's only happened once since the NFL began the Wild Card format. In 1987 the third seeded Redskins did host the fifth seeded Vikings in the NFC Championship. But that was a strike year. Edited December 30, 2005 by CaptainHook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grits and Shins Posted December 31, 2005 Share Posted December 31, 2005 Neither of them can have home field advantage in the second round. I'm sure you meant third. Although, the #3 seed has never hosted the Championship game since the current play-off format was adopted in 1990. It's only happened once since the NFL began the Wild Card format. In 1987 the third seeded Redskins did host the fifth seeded Vikings in the NFC Championship. But that was a strike year. 1242291[/snapback] Yes I stand corrected ... obviously the winners wildcard weekend go to the homes of the teams coming off they byes in week 2. HFA would be for week 3, assuming they made it that far and assuming the 1 and 2 seeds both lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted December 31, 2005 Share Posted December 31, 2005 Vegas has KC as a 7 point favorite- that might suggest something... 1242142[/snapback] Yeah, that KC doesn't lose at home in December. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackass Posted December 31, 2005 Share Posted December 31, 2005 Yeah, that KC doesn't lose at home in December. 1242466[/snapback] that wouldn't explain the 7 points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted December 31, 2005 Share Posted December 31, 2005 I agree. You should play to be the highest seed possible. However, last year, when the Colts played the Chargers, it basically decided the #3 and #4 seeds. The Colts won, earned the #3, and guaranteed themselves not facing the #1 seed until the AFC Championships. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh was the #1. New England was the #2. Would the Colts have advanced to the AFC Championship if they had played Pittsburgh in the second round? I think so. 1242115[/snapback] Pittsburgh is hot right now. The #3 will probably face them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sox Posted December 31, 2005 Share Posted December 31, 2005 Levi Jones the starting left tackle is listed as questionable. If Marvin sits him to get healthy for the playoffs,Palmers' time in the game will be limited,if he plays at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menudo Posted December 31, 2005 Share Posted December 31, 2005 Championship if they had played Pittsburgh in the second round? I think so. 1242115[/snapback] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vet Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 If I'm the Bengals I'd rather play the AFC Championship game in New England with Carson Palmer at QB than play it in Cincinnati with Jon Kitna at the helm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoopzfanatic Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 I don't know...not playing to get the higher seed because of the opponent doesn't sound like the MO of either team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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