Rest or Start key players next week?

[Rams8821]

Id rather have the NFC Champ game at SoFI. So lets get that 6 slot....

 

[Ellard80]

There is also also the injury risk factor.

this is the biggest and main reason why a large number of starters will not see the field across the league week 18

You lose a key player and there goes your playoff chances.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Rest 100% of the starters. That is how it's done. Why is this even debatable?

If you mean rest ALL the starters, they can't. Just not enough players but I get the thought.

However, some on the Board have a bad memory from 2017, remembering when the Rams rested a ton of starters, and then looked flat to open their home playoff game against Atlanta.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

If you mean rest ALL the starters, they can't. Just not enough players but I get the thought.

However, some on the Board have a bad memory from 2017, remembering when the Rams rested a ton of starters, and then looked flat to open their home playoff game against Atlanta.

This team is built different. Not sure if Puka, Kyren, and the Conductor and co. are capable of flatness.

 

[Kupped]

I don't rest them.

I want to break the 9ers streak.

Maybe it's football karma.. the Rams rested in 17 and haven't beaten the 9ers in the regular season since.
If they rest, and the Rams win? It at least breaks that humiliating streak.

 

[Allen2McVay]

This team is built different. Not sure if Puka, Kyren, and the Conductor and co. are capable of flatness.

Maybe and, as I posted above, I expect many starters to be rested. However, those are three very young players you mentioned; and that 2017 team was loaded with veterans, many of whom were playing in their first post-season game.

 

[Karate61]

If you mean rest ALL the starters, they can't. Just not enough players but I get the thought.

However, some on the Board have a bad memory from 2017, remembering when the Rams rested a ton of starters, and then looked flat to open their home playoff game against Atlanta.

Rams beat Seattle this season coming out of the bye week. I think Atlanta was more the early Pharoh Cooper fumble, and the bad feeling from it, that tanked that game.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Rams beat Seattle this season coming out of the bye week.

True, but the Seahawks led 13-0 until the final seconds of the first half.

 

[Tumak61]

6th seeds have a winning record since the reformat, 7th seeds are winless.

 

[Karate61]

True, but the Seahawks led 13-0 until the final seconds of the first half.

So, if they are rested the Rams will have a killer second half and win the game. Let's go with that! (lol)

 

[Jorgeh0605]

I think rookies play games like this. So Nacua most likely plays unless he is IA on game day. I'd bench AD, Stafford and Kupp.

 

[Malibu]

This is a tough call. Common sense for safety sake you rest all the key players.

Like one of the posters said rest anyone that is slightly injured which makes a lot of sense.

But what needs to be factored in are two issues. Who do we have the best chance of beating I feel that's Detroit. Secondly momentum like a poster quoted about Belichick sounds about right. We didn't look great coming off a mini bye.

I want to secure the 6th seed.

 

[oldnotdead]

By the guys being signed you have to wonder if McVay is going to go resting Stafford, Kupp, Nacua and Donald.

He would then go with Wendtz, Atwell, Robinson, and Skowronek as his offense with RBs Freeman, Rivers and Evans. He would then seem okay with 7th seed likely facing Dallas in the wildcard, which seems weird.

Either that or he will start everyone normally except Kupp and Williams then begin to sub out guys as the game goes on. Signing WR Johnson is a bit strange considering he's the kind of guy you have as your #5 WR. He's like Skowronek, lacking in speed and more of a contested catch type of receiver.

 

[12intheBox]

I think people may be trying to convince themselves that it is a good idea to play the studs so that Puka can get the record.

I say there is no way. This is a coach who doesn’t let his star players play a single preseason snap.

 

[1Madman]

Play fully healthy players for the 1st quarter and get Puka his catches and yardage. He has worked too hard to sit him out and prevent him from breaking those receiving records.

IMHO 6 or 7 seed is about the same. If the Rams stay healthy going into the wildcard weekend, they have the ability to take out which ever team they will face... be it the Cowboys, Lions, or Eagles. Let them be playoff wreckers!!

 

[Ellard80]

I think people may be trying to convince themselves that it is a good idea to play the studs so that Puka can get the record.

I say there is no way. This is a coach who doesn’t let his star players play a single preseason snap.

on the mcvay coach show when they talked about this - seemed to me that mcvay wanted puka to get the record.

 

[12intheBox]

on the mcvay coach show when they talked about this - seemed to me that mcvay wanted puka to get the record.

I’m sure he does want it. But does he want it bad enough to toss a key piece out there in a meaningless game?

I could see him giving Puka snaps if

1. Puka asked for it - told him it was important to him. McVay might ok it then

2. There is some contract incentive in llay

That’s about it. Otherwise this is an easy decision

 

[Ellard80]

I’m sure he does want it. But does he want it bad enough to toss a key piece out there in a meaningless game?

I could see him giving Puka snaps if

1. Puka asked for it - told him it was important to him. McVay might ok it then

2. There is some contract incentive in llay

That’s about it. Otherwise this is an easy decision

I'm just going by what McVay said - sure seemed like he wanted to get puka the record.

 

[PhillyRam]

True, but the Seahawks led 13-0 until the final seconds of the first half.

The Rams looked pretty good week one with just about all the key starters not playing a down in preseason. Just sayin.

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

If we had played a clean game against the Giants then maybe I would support resting our starters. But truth be told nobody played well and we need to get the stank from being outplayed and all but dominated by a bunch of losers with 4 wins.
Coach Mac needs to get the team back on track and instill some intensity and accountability for the quality of their performance. We need to look at the Whiner game as a PLAYOFF GAME and nothing less than that.

We need to come out with our starters firing on all cylinders and use this game 17 as an opportunity to clean a lot of stuff up and as a springboard into the playoffs.

What transpired in New York ain't gonna cut it and everyone knows it.

Now, admittedly, if we get up by 3 scores or more then I would start pulling people out of the game. But until and unless that happens play 'em all and go for the win.

The playoffs for the Rams begins this Sunday in Frisco...

~ArkyRamsFan~