We're still two games out of the number one seed. I know Mahomes might sit a game with his bum ankle which could open up a window for us the get the top seed. The Chiefs have playoff contenders in their remaining three games with the Broncos, Texans and Steelers.
We have the lowly Pats twice and Aaron Rodgers' celebrity fantasy football team remaining. None of these games requires the Bills best efforts or players. We would be mortified to lose Josh or any starter in these last three games.
Unless we're playing the Dolphins or another sun belt team, I am not convinced home field is that big a playoff advantage. Our recent playoff history bears that out. In fact, I think playing before the home crowd adds increased pressures and distractions.
While the week off as the number one seed is enticing, I'd prefer to see us go in as the number two seed healthy. We should treat the remaining three games as exhibition and play our starters for a quarter at most. There should be reward for locking up the division as early as we did. Losing our best players to meaningless games is dumb. I say put the starters on a pitch count and get healthy.