Rest or Start key players next week?

[Elmgrovegnome]

Is it a big deal? I guess there is a certain amount of pride that comes with seeing a Ram hold an individual record - I get that. And as I have said - if it’s important to him - then I’d be apt to let him go get it.

But if I were the coach, he would be inactive. Of course, if I were the coach, we wouldn’t be in a playoff position we would be the laughing stock of the league.

Just to see where we all are on this league …. Sake of argument ….

Let’s say the 9ers come out double teaming Puka - they are playing with the specific intention of shutting him down. Everyone else is getting single coverage with no help but Puka is smothered. Are you still forcing the ball his way to get the record or are you taking the better looks and trying to win the game?

The Niners won’t let everybody else run free to prevent Puka from getting the record. If the record was set by a Niner and the current 49ers have something against Puka, then maybe. But I don’t think that’s the case. Especially since there is already talk about then Niners starters only playing in the first half.

I guarantee you that McVay thinks it is a big deal. He has said as much. I am sure that his teammates want Puka to get the record to. 29 yards and four catches shouldn’t be a difficult thing to do. That could be a few short passes and some yards after the catch.

It could come in one play.

 

[T-REX]

Philly would be my first choice but I don't see it happening. All Dallas has to do is beat a bad Washington team to clinch the east. I see it coming down to Detroit or Dallas.

Me personally…I don’t want to play in the elements, you never know what type of weather you’re going to run into in Philadelphia. I’d much rather play in a controlled environment which means either Dallas or Detroit. If I could choose one I’d go with Detroit even though I much rather see them in the NFC Championship. Dallas is 8-0 at home and pretty much blew our doors off in week 11, Detroit is 5-2 at home losing to Seattle and Green Bay. My 2 cents.

 

[Merlin]

If both coaches end up starting most of the starters, and if the score is close, I could see both those dudes keeping key players in longer in a duel like situation. And if that happens I think SF has more to lose here because they're the team with the roster capable of going all the way.

Would McVay do that... Hrm. What would be funny as hell is if Wentz balls out and then Ratboy does the duel thing by keeping starters in too long. Would make for one entertaining stretch of fallout prior to that wildcard game with headlines around Wentz outdueling Purdy.

Hoping for the preseason game though.

 

[Jorgeh0605]

I'd rest players. People talking about preferring Detroit, I'd rather play dallas.

However, lets say Detroit is McVay's preferred matchup. What you are asking, is for this team to play hard against a 49ers team they have never beaten, just for the chance to play Detroit. It's not a for sure thing. Where as with the Cowboys, we could start game planning now, watch the tape from earlier in the year, and give some players some much needed rest. I just don't see how flooring the gas pedal to beat the 9ers helps us as much.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Me personally…I don’t want to play in the elements, you never know what type of weather you’re going to run into in Philadelphia. I’d much rather play in a controlled environment which means either Dallas or Detroit. If I could choose one I’d go with Detroit even though I much rather see them in the NFC Championship. Dallas is 8-0 at home and pretty much blew our doors off in week 11, Detroit is 5-2 at home losing to Seattle and Green Bay. My 2 cents.

It hasn’t really snowed here in PA and it’s been a bit warmer than usual so far. However, snow is forecasted for this weekend, so there is a good chance that things could be turning to unfavorable for a warmer climate or domed team headed to Philly in two weeks.

 

[Mojo Ram]

This argument that we match up best against Detroit is not true. Our defense is worst in the league against play action, which is Detroits bread and butter. We would be better off playing Philly before they pull their head out.

Yeahhhh maybe. Then again, we won’t be chasing the QB around all day vs Detroit.

I’d rather our DL face a pocket guy. We can rattle Goff up the middle with AD
and KT.

Our secondary could fall apart vs guys like Dak and Jalen when they break the pocket and start free lancing.

 

[shovelpass]

 

[12intheBox]

The Niners won’t let everybody else run free to prevent Puka from getting the record. If the record was set by a Niner and the current 49ers have something against Puka, then maybe. But I don’t think that’s the case. Especially since there is already talk about then Niners starters only playing in the first half.

I guarantee you that McVay thinks it is a big deal. He has said as much. I am sure that his teammates want Puka to get the record to. 29 yards and four catches shouldn’t be a difficult thing to do. That could be a few short passes and some yards after the catch.

It could come in one play.

I don’t think they would do that either - but entertain the thought experiment anyway.

How important is the record? Force the ball to him - or take the 1 on 1s on the rest of the field to try to win the game?

 

[TexasRam]

Carson can get it done.

Interested to hear about the other starters, especially Oline.

 

[FrantikRam]

For those that say rest - do you really not see a difference between playing @Detroit or @Dallas?? No difference between the 6 and 7 seed?

 

[Tumak61]

For those that say rest - do you really not see a difference between playing @Detroit or @Dallas?? No difference between the 6 and 7 seed?

I know what you mean. Dallas is undefeated at home. The toughest road game a team can have right now. It would be a shame if we fall to the 7th seed.

 

[shovelpass]

Carson can get it done.

Interested to hear about the other starters, especially Oline.

My guess would be sit Kupp and Higbee, they're both seasoned and banged up. Probably AD. Maybe Hav and Kyren. Then sit as many starters as you can by half time.

 

[AvengerRam]

For those that say rest - do you really not see a difference between playing @Detroit or @Dallas?? No difference between the 6 and 7 seed?

Not a huge difference. I understand the preference of Detroit in WC round, but it could be tough there too. SF the most likely divisional opponent either way.

 

[FrantikRam]

Not a huge difference. I understand the preference of Detroit in WC round, but it could be tough there too. SF the most likely divisional opponent either way.

You really don't think there's a huge difference between playing at Dallas and at Detroit?

The Cowboys in Dallas play like the best team in the entire NFL..

If we were home, I wouldn't care who we play. But at Dallas? Hard pass

 

[12intheBox]

For those that say rest - do you really not see a difference between playing @Detroit or @Dallas?? No difference between the 6 and 7 seed?

No, not really.

I saw Detroit just all but beat them in Dallas

Detroit looks healthier

 

[Rams8821]

No, not really.

I saw Detroit just all but beat them in Dallas

Detroit looks healthier

If I had a choice, Id say Detroit is a better matchup.

That being said this isnt the same team that went to Dallas earlier in the year. We play our A game we can beat either.

And that is what I expect, us to play our A game.

 

[AZRams]

My guess would be sit Kupp and Higbee, they're both seasoned and banged up. Probably AD. Maybe Hav and Kyren. Then sit as many starters as you can by half time.

In that scenario it'll be easy...game will be over half-way through 2Q.

 

[Noregar]

Kupp and Williams both had great games in their first time back after extended absences. Players being fresh makes a positive difference. First seeds who don't a play for a week always have the advantage (If they do lose it's not from having the week off). On offense Rest Stafford, Kupp, Higbee, and Williams along with Havenstein and Noteboom. Sit Puka after he breaks the record. On Defense rest Donald and Brown along with Ernest Jones and maybe JJ. The defense is younger and still needs the work but give the backups more snaps and limit the snaps of the starters.

 

[AvengerRam]

You really don't think there's a huge difference between playing at Dallas and at Detroit?

The Cowboys in Dallas play like the best team in the entire NFL..

If we were home, I wouldn't care who we play. But at Dallas? Hard pass

Dallas just beat Detroit by a point at home on a questionable call. If I had to choose, I’d play the Lions, but it’s not a big difference.

 

[RamsOfCastamere]

I don't think Noteboom Jackson and Hav can all sit. At first I was leaning towards letting Boom start at either LT or RT since he's the backup, but he has the plantar fascia issue so I don't know. We don't want Wentz to be killed.