Why The Patriots Can't Afford To Rest Players Down The Stretch
BOSTON (CBS) -- After enduring two consecutive losses and Rob Gronkowski's frightening injury, the Patriots once again control their playoff destiny. The Denver Broncos stumbled for their second straight loss while the Cincinnati Bengals have to roll with A.J. McCarron at quarterback and could take their third loss after they head to Denver next Monday night. It's amazing how quickly the playoff picture has swung back in New England's favor when three weeks ago it felt like impending doom.
With the Patriots at 12-2 and firmly in the driver's seat for home-field throughout the AFC Playoffs, the time has come for questions about resting players in the final two weeks. With the outrageous amount of injuries that have piled up for the Patriots in recent weeks, it would make sense to give their most banged-up players a week off either this Sunday at the New York Jets or Week 17 at the Miami Dolphins.
Except at this point, the Patriots should not rest anyone that can play, for a multitude of reasons.
The main reason admittedly boils down to a matter of opinion. Personally, I do not believe in resting players for the sake of it as you enter the playoffs, especially if you have a bye. If players get Week 17 off, they now have to spend Week 19 in the divisional round working off at least two weeks of rust. A prime example is the 2008 Colts, who had Peyton Manning on the field for only 7 pass attempts in Week 17 against the Titans. Manning and the Colts were not at their best in the Wild Card round the next week, when they lose 23-17 to the Chargers.
Excessive rest is an issue that has come back to bite teams in the past. I think the Patriots should have all hands on deck to start Week 17 to maximize their momentum as they enter the playoffs. This rule, however, may not apply to Gronkowski, who pretty much has his own entire set of rules when it comes to both on-field and off-field matters. He has proven in the past that he does not need much practice time to get up to speed, and he's also arguably the difference between winning and losing the Super Bowl. If you're going to rest anyone, it's Gronk.
But what about Danny Amendola? Dont'a Hightower? Patrick Chung? Even Julian Edelman? If those guys are capable of playing without risking a setback, which Hightower appeared to suffer on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, then they should be on the field. At this point everyone is banged up or dealing with injuries; getting healthy is important, but staying sharp for the playoffs is paramount.
Another reason, also a matter of opinion, is that the final two games are not gimmes. If the Philadelphia Eagles taught Patriots Nation anything, it's that anything can happen in the NFL and you should not underestimate any opponent against a banged-up team missing key weapons.
The Jets are fighting for their playoff lives. They need this game much more than the Patriots need it, and they're at home riding a four-game winning streak with an extra day to prepare.
If you ask me to predict the game, I'd still take the Patriots - but it will not be easy. If any of the injured Patriots can play, they should play. Although the Patriots can theoretically afford to lose another game, they should treat the Jets like a must-win. Whether it's a win or a loss, the game will leave the Patriots battle-tested for the playoffs, which is always a good thing.
Week 17 at Miami could prove meaningless because the Patriots just need to beat the Jets on Sunday to clinch the No. 1 seed. Assuming that happens, then resting players would make sense - as long as they get some reps in the first half. And with the Patriots heading to Miami early next week to make space for the Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium, the warm Miami air could benefit the walking wounded in recovering and practicing.
As ridiculous as it may seem, I almost want the Patriots to get Edelman back on the field just to catch punts. I know, it's stupid, it wouldn't happen, he would have to fair-catch everything ... but he probably would not fumble the ball on a punt return, which has happened three out of the last four weeks (the other week was against the Eagles when pretty much everything else on special teams went wrong). When things go so awry for special teams week after week, you tend to foster some crazy ideas.
In all likelihood, Edelman won't see the field again until the playoffs. But he's already back practicing with the team, which bodes well for his ability to be fresh when he does return. Anyone else who can play should play, until further notice. The Patriots need to take care of business this week, because if they do they will sew up the No. 1 seed, and they may need everyone available to do it.
Giving players excessive rest simply doesn't work in the long run. Ultimately, I'll take Edelman/Gronk/Amendola/Hightower at 90% but sharp rather than 100% but rusty. The Patriots control their destiny, and they can also control their momentum. And resting too much is not the way to do it.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read more from Matt here. Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
