Benching Players this week-

[Marauders11]

If you are wondering which teams will be resting their key players and which teams won't this coming weekend all you really need to do to get a good idea (better than the coach-speak you hear all over), just check you the Vegas lines on the games.

 

The guys in sin city know what's going on better than we do:

 

Eagles/Bengals- no official line but Cincy WILL be favored, we saw what to expect from The Birds this past Monday- expect the same deal on Sunday.

 

Bills 8 1/2 point favorites over Pittsburgh- um get ready for Tommy Maddox, Verron Haynes, et al.

 

Bears 3 point favs over Green Bay- hello Craig Nall.

 

Patriots 14 point favorites over San Fran- I know that the Pats scrubs could probably still beat San Fran's "first teamers", but this still seems awful high- makes me think that at least some of the Patriots regulars will be playing here (Brady, etc.)- I could see Dillon rested since he's been knicked up all year.

 

Broncos 8 1/2 point favs over The Colts- I know that Dungy said he'll be playing his starters, but with a line like this I don't buy it- besides there is a good chance these teams play again a week later- Manning might "start" but he ain't seeing the field long IMO.

 

Chiefs 3 point favorites AT San Diego- Mr. Tomlinson, Mr. Brees, Mr. Gates... meet Mr. Bench. Phillip Rivers time.

 

Seattle 5 1/2 points over Atlanta- I know Vick is "starting", but like Manning no way he plays long in this one.

 

 

Any thoughts on this?

[Turf Boy]

Any thoughts on this?

 

634732[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Yes, very solid post. Me thinks you're onto something here

[Gunther]

Nice post, Marauders.

 

Here is a comment Vermeil made when asked how Marty may approach the game...note that it IS speculation...but I'm sure while Marty says he will play to win, this will probably be more the case than not in regards to what Schottenheimer will do during the game. Deep down inside, I hope he plays his starters at least the first half, but we'll see.

 

I think, based on his posts, that Chargers feels this will be the case as well, which carries some weight (at least with me) coming from a homer.

 

Q: How do you expect Marty Schottenheimer will approach this final game?

 

VERMEIL: “I talked to some our coaches who were here with him before and they’ve said when they had some things all locked in for the playoffs he reverted back to a pre-season game approach playing them through the first half or the first quarter and a half and then start to take people out. But I have no idea what he’s going to do. We don’t control that.”

[Front Row]

Great post Maurader.

My superbowl is this week & I'm glad to say I have no one on your list!

[NSab]

It should be interesting to say the least, haveing to field a decent team this week.

[Vote Quimby2]

I sure hope LT and Gates do something while they are in, for however short of a period that may be

[Bengal Mania]

I do agree that the Vegas oddsmakers to have a lot of insight.

 

However, I bet this week more than any other these guys cross their fingers, because they sure can't guage as good as regular weeks. They are still just trying to get equal betting on each side.

 

While I agree they get lots of inside info to help them, I also think they're reading the betting public MORE in this case than the status of team's players.

 

In the Cincy/Philly example, even if they got inside info that Reid wassed worried about rust, and was actually gonna play his regulars longer, I think the public assumes their gonna dog it, and wouldn't take Philly giving 10 points. So the line would move toward Cincy anyways, to KEEP interest in betting on Philly.

 

Not disagreeing w/ your premise, just suggesting other factors.