Resting starters this Sunday is obvious... Or is it?

[butch rolle]

Listen, I understand how injuries, especially on defense, have hindered this team on prior playoff runs.  But when I hear everyone say that the Bills aren't playing for anything this coming weekend and what's the difference between the five and the seven seed, I'm not sure if it's quite that simple.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but If all three or even just two of the wild card teams win in round 1, don't the fifth and possibly sixth seeded teams host a home game in the divisional round?  If there was ever a year where I could see multiple wild card teams being the favorite, it's this year.  And if one of those wild card teams traveled to the one seed, presumably Denver, and won in the divisional round, couldn't the highest ranking remaining wild card team host the AFC championship?  Again, this all sounds crazy but this has been one of the most unpredictable years yet.  Also, I think it's worth noting that the Bills last playoff win on the road came in 1993.  So yes, health, especially for Josh Allen is paramount.  But let's not paint a picture of there being no difference between the five and the seven seed.  Home games in Buffalo have been and would be a major advantage.  

[Bill51390]

They’ll play, since there is still a chance at hosting a playoff game if they win. I also think it possibly being the last game in the stadium means something to them. 

[Kelly to Allen]

Yes you rest your starters. The bills have a massive massive advantage of playing the jags or possibly the pats rested. The jags and pats can't rest

 

The chargers are already losing because they have nothing to play for. Texans aren't losing to the colts imo

 

It makes zero sense to not take a defacto bye. Besides our backups should beat the jets. But it doesn't matter....

 

Not sure what is complicated 

 

Call up frank gore jr and Devonshire or Another olineman / dlineman 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 30, 2025 by Kelly to Allen

[Dr.Sack]

Lucky for the Bills the likelihood is a road game at either Jacksonville or New England.  
 
The Loss to PHI sets up a road game as long as seeds 1-5 stay alive which is likely all playoffs unless LA pulls off 2 upsets. 

Assuming the highest Week 18 probability; Patriots win, Jaguars win, Chargers loss and Texans win, the Bills finish 6th seed and go to Jacksonville. 
 

Win that game and you go to Denver unless LA pulls off the upset in New England. Then it’s likely another trip to Houston who should handle the AFC North winner.
 

So the likely path is at JAX, at DEN, at HOU/NE 
 

2nd most likely path at JAX, at HOU, at  DEN. 

#1 DEN

#2 NE

#3 JAX

#4 AFCN

#5 HOU

#6 BUF

#7 LAC

 

 

 

[philholbroo]

wouldnt mind taking the opening kickoff and letting josh throw a hail mary on 1st play to try to get the #40 touchdown and get the start. 

[transplantbillsfan]

No... it's obvious for Josh and the aged vets like Bosa, Daquan, Milano, etc.

[BringMetheHeadofLeonLett]

It was obvious last week, so I have no idea why we shouldn't get the starters messed up in random, unimportant snaps this week as well.  

[davefan66]

Being the last game and red helmets, I believe Josh wants to play.

 

If it weren’t the last game, I’d see a drive at the most.  Being the last game, the offense may get a couple of drives or quarter.  
 

I wouldn’t hate it.  Honestly feel the way the last game ended, some positive plays can benefit the offense going into the playoffs. 

[nucci]

Allen and Cook should not play.

[I'm Spartacus]

The Jets looked really bad Sunday. Felt like they gave up on the season. Roll with Allen for the 1st quarter or even half, and rack up points. Second half should be back ups.

[Matt_In_NH]

1. Yes the higher the seed the more chance to host a game.  Although wc teams rarely do so so keep that in mind. It is a low probability event

 

2.  53 man roster and they can call up two from PS.  Not all starters and key contributors can rest. You rest key guys and banged up guys. 
 

3.  They can beat the jets with resting guys

 

4.  They will rest guys and it is the right thing considering everything.  It is super obvious

Edited December 30, 2025 by Matt_In_NH

[Mr. WEO]

Hmmmmmm

[Gregg]

Rest the starters. In Allen's case he should sit so his foot can be as healthy as it can for WC weekend. This is basically a preseason game. 11-6 or 12-5 doesn't matter. The Bills punched their ticket to the playoffs. If they want a shot at the Super Bowl, then getting the starters as healthy as possible is a must.

[harryS]

You take the bye and all the advantages that come with it.

 

A few points:

(1) Houston isn't losing so it's really just the difference between the 6 seed and 7 seed.

(2) We're probably STILL going to win and earn the 6 seed even while resting key players.  Jets look tankalicious

(3) Even if Houston could lose, we arguably don't even want them to.  If they're the 5 seed, then either they or Baltimore is guaranteed to lose in round 1.

[The Firebaugh Kid]

6 hours ago, Kelly to Allen said:

Yes you rest your starters. The bills have a massive massive advantage of playing the jags or possibly the pats rested. The jags and pats can't rest

 

The chargers are already losing because they have nothing to play for. Texans aren't losing to the colts imo

 

It makes zero sense to not take a defacto bye. Besides our backups should beat the jets. But it doesn't matter....

 

Not sure what is complicated 

 

Call up frank gore jr and Devonshire or Another olineman / dlineman 

 

 

 

 

This this this this this. 
I love the stadium as much as anybody else but I’m resting guys that are banged up because it makes more difference to me to win a Super Bowl.

[mjt328]

If Josh Allen wasn't limping and we didn't have a dozen starters on the injury report every week, I could possibly see the advantage of better seeding.

 

I hope they don't jeopardize a playoff run for stats.  Josh needs one more TD to get 40, and James Cook is chasing the rushing title.

 

[BeyondTheProcess]

put all of the starters in a heated tent, run the ball 50 times and get out of there

[Augie]

3 minutes ago, ProcessTruster said:

put all of the starters in a heated tent, run the ball 50 times and get out of there

 

Maybe they could make S’mores for halftime! 

[BeyondTheProcess]

Just now, Augie said:

 

Maybe they could make S’mores for halftime! 

Exactly, little cookstove in there, pass em out to the fans in the front row

[Mr. WEO]

can we ask Dan Orlovsky??