Play the Starting Times

[BigdaddyQH]

One of the most overlooked things regarding tomorrows games is the starting times. Detroit and Green Bay are scheduled for an early game, while Tampa Bay and Atlanta are scheduled for a late game. If Detroit wins, they lock up the #5 seed, and Atlanta will be locked into the #6 seed, no matter what they do. There is no point for Atlanta to risk an injury if they cannot advance.

Tennessee and Houston have an early game. Houston is locked into the #3 seed, but Tennessee still has a chance at a playoff spot. The team that they have to pass is Cincinnati, and they play in a late game against Baltimore. Tennessee has plenty of incentive to go all out against a Houston team that is banged up already and must play next week.

New England has an early game, knowing that they need a win to clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Their competition for that spot, Baltimore and Pitt, both play late games. New England has plenty of incentive to make short work out of Buffalo.

[Serbone]

One of the most overlooked things regarding tomorrows games is the starting times. Detroit and Green Bay are scheduled for an early game, while Tampa Bay and Atlanta are scheduled for a late game. If Detroit wins, they lock up the #5 seed, and Atlanta will be locked into the #6 seed, no matter what they do. There is no point for Atlanta to risk an injury if they cannot advance.

Tennessee and Houston have an early game. Houston is locked into the #3 seed, but Tennessee still has a chance at a playoff spot. The team that they have to pass is Cincinnati, and they play in a late game against Baltimore. Tennessee has plenty of incentive to go all out against a Houston team that is banged up already and must play next week.

New England has an early game, knowing that they need a win to clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Their competition for that spot, Baltimore and Pitt, both play late games. New England has plenty of incentive to make short work out of Buffalo.

Good points... thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

[GGPLAYER]

I was actually thinking of all this stuff before I saw your post. I like how you laid it all out. I really see Det winning for several reasons...biggest of all is GB has nothing to play for. If they were 15-0 maybe but with the #1 locked down and the risk of injury looming out there I can't see many starters playing in the 2H. Det gets that 5 seed and moves on.

Totally agree about Tenn. NE might get up big early but I see a backdoor cover by the Bills in the 4th.

[Adm. Cowpollock]

One of the most overlooked things regarding tomorrows games is the starting times. Detroit and Green Bay are scheduled for an early game, while Tampa Bay and Atlanta are scheduled for a late game. If Detroit wins, they lock up the #5 seed, and Atlanta will be locked into the #6 seed, no matter what they do. There is no point for Atlanta to risk an injury if they cannot advance.

Tennessee and Houston have an early game. Houston is locked into the #3 seed, but Tennessee still has a chance at a playoff spot. The team that they have to pass is Cincinnati, and they play in a late game against Baltimore. Tennessee has plenty of incentive to go all out against a Houston team that is banged up already and must play next week.

New England has an early game, knowing that they need a win to clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Their competition for that spot, Baltimore and Pitt, both play late games. New England has plenty of incentive to make short work out of Buffalo.

You spelled it out nicely, thanks. But let's not forget ....

... Jets at Miami 1 p.m. Jets need a win, and a Titans (1 p.m.) loss, to remain alive heading into the 4 p.m. games (of which NYJ needs a Bengals loss and either/both a Raiders loss and/or Broncos loss).

With NYJ at +3 and Reggie Bush out for Miami, ya gotta think ...

[Serbone]

Last week "MOTIVATION" games:

Jets might not have what it takes, in their hearts, they have to win and Cincy + Tenn + Oakland all lose. Jets have choked all yr, suddenly they are going to fight and cover the spread knowing this? The Jets are not The jets anymore.
So I would say take Miami -3, though Reggie Bush is out.. they have adjusted to their situation, Jets haven't.

There are seveal examples this weekend where EVERYBODY is going to bet the so called motivated team, but do the Saints really think that SF will lose to SL and then the Saints get the bye? I dont think so. Maybe Brees throws for some more stats, then they get out of there.

Pitt laying 7 in Cleveland, banged up, will they play hard enough to win and cover and hope Balt loses and they get a bye? Cleveland has adjusted to their plight.

The lines are ssking a lot of some of these so called "motivated" teams.

Another one: Atlanta? Forgetaboutit. Are they going to risk Julio Jones and everyone for a 5th seed instead of a 6th?

I would say take Carolina + 7.5 and Tampa Bay + 12, big, and also Cleveland + 7 based upon this.

If you wait for Detroit to beat GB, Tampa Bay line will crash... even if Detroit loses, does Atlanta really give a shit about # 5 seed vs # 6 to go out there are kill themselves for 4 quarters?

A lot of them just want to avoid injuries, heal their wounded, especially the ones that did not get byes and need to play next week.

Some motivated teams might cover, I think Oakland-2.5 will cover against SD, Chargers just got knocked out so are lame duck and probably so is their coach. Oakland will fight since there IS a reasonable chance that KC will go in and beat Denver. Even if Denver wins, it will not be a blowout so Oakland will look at the scoreboard in the 4th and it will be 17-16 or something in Denver.

Lastly, I think Denver -3 will cover IN DENVER against KC.

Balt at Cincy? Tenn at Houston? Dallas at Giants? Wouldn't touch them. Some motivation, but....

[Speedy88]

I honestly haven't given tomorrow's card a good look. I've always been real hesitant on betting week 17 in the NFL. There are just too many scenarios, and too many teams who have nothing to play for. Too many questionmarks on who will and won't play. I'll probably just wait til the late game and bet on DAL/NYG.

Doesn't Detroit -3 seem too good to be true? I heard Rodgers may not even start. I know Flynn is a nice backup QB, but my guess is taht if Rodgers is sitting, then so will a lot of the other big name starters (Finley, Jordy, Raji, Matthews, etc.).

[GatorFan]

One of the most overlooked things regarding tomorrows games is the starting times. Detroit and Green Bay are scheduled for an early game, while Tampa Bay and Atlanta are scheduled for a late game. If Detroit wins, they lock up the #5 seed, and Atlanta will be locked into the #6 seed, no matter what they do. There is no point for Atlanta to risk an injury if they cannot advance.

Tennessee and Houston have an early game. Houston is locked into the #3 seed, but Tennessee still has a chance at a playoff spot. The team that they have to pass is Cincinnati, and they play in a late game against Baltimore. Tennessee has plenty of incentive to go all out against a Houston team that is banged up already and must play next week.

New England has an early game, knowing that they need a win to clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Their competition for that spot, Baltimore and Pitt, both play late games. New England has plenty of incentive to make short work out of Buffalo.

Good stuffs. Thanx sir