Do we play dalton and Green next week?

[NATI BENGALS]

Ravens might play backups. We should play to win the game. Have to keep the momentum going and beating the Ravens would be a big boost.

[Ron Mexico]

Yes. Even though there will be nothing to play for, they should still see some action. Maybe pull them early though...

[EyeOfTheTiger]

Originally Posted by NATI BENGALS

Ravens might play backups. We should play to win the game. Have to keep the momentum going and beating the Ravens would be a big boost.

How? How will beating a team of backups that didn't even gameplan for you be a boost?

They aren't even going to try!

Please, I hope the coaches see the logic in not playing our starters.

[Jasonew6]

Originally Posted by EyeOfTheTiger

How? How will beating a team of backups that didn't even gameplan for you be a boost?

They aren't even going to try!

Please, I hope the coaches see the logic in not playing our starters.

That hasn't worked well the last couple times. Play for momentum.

[EyeOfTheTiger]

Originally Posted by Jasonew6

That hasn't worked well the last couple times. Play for momentum.

This is ridiculous! Remember the bye week where we had 2 weeks off? It only helped us! Do you think there is a reason why teams play for a first round bye? So they can rest and prepare against a team that hasn't had that opportunity. We are in. Us losing or winning has no effect on our future. An injury does.

I can see Mike Brown playing our starters to try to get butts in seats and make money.

[ken]

Originally Posted by EyeOfTheTiger

This is ridiculous! Remember the bye week where we had 2 weeks off? It only helped us! Do you think there is a reason why teams play for a first round bye? So they can rest and prepare against a team that hasn't had that opportunity. We are in. Us losing or winning has no effect on our future. An injury does.

I can see Mike Brown playing our starters to try to get butts in seats and make money.

I agree let all the kids play, Herron run, thompson and still, back-ups and let them get some work. May need them in the playoffs at some point.

The starters have earned the break to get healthy.

[osu_bengal24]

It's far from a guarantee we'll be playing the Pats

[Treee]

Most definitely. A win over the Ravens and this team will head into the playoffs with all the swag that one could wish for.

[EyeOfTheTiger]

Originally Posted by osu_bengal24

It's far from a guarantee we'll be playing the Pats

The major major point is injury! Getting people healthier. Teams with 1st round byes won't know who they are playing either. Sitting our starters is the best thing Lewis can do. It's scary to me he might not because so many other posters think it a good idea to start our players for a meaningless game.

[Aquapod770]

Originally Posted by osu_bengal24

It's far from a guarantee we'll be playing the Pats

The most likely out come is us against the Pats. Unless somehow Denver manages to lose to KC or Houston loses to Indy.

[J24]

let them play the first half only.

[osu_bengal24]

Originally Posted by EyeOfTheTiger

The major major point is injury! Getting people healthier. Teams with 1st round byes won't know who they are playing either. Sitting our starters is the best thing Lewis can do. It's scary to me he might not because so many other posters think it a good idea to start our players for a meaningless game.

yes i know, i was talking to the ones who are saying the coaches should gameplan for NE for the next 2 weeks

[WhoDeyWalker]

I'd rest some defensive players but the offense needs the reps.

[Who-Dey Girl]

Originally Posted by WhoDeyWalker

I'd rest some defensive players but the offense needs the reps.

I agree with this. Offense needs to find its rhythm again and should play the first half at least. It will be against a very good defense and good practice. I doubt if the Raven will be playing everyone or that hard so I think this could be a good scrimmage type game.

[voyager6]

Treat it like a fourth pre-season game. Starters for a quarter at most. Get the rust off, and let them rest. Baltimore will do the same thing, not wanting to get injured before playoffs.

[EyeOfTheTiger]

Originally Posted by Who-Dey Girl

I agree with this. Offense needs to find its rhythm again and should play the first half at least. It will be against a very good defense and good practice. I doubt if the Raven will be playing everyone or that hard so I think this could be a good scrimmage type game.

We will be playing 3rd and 4th stringers trying to make a case for themselves. What better way than a good hard hit on Dalton or Green? The image of a Dalton or Green(or any other starter) lying injured on the field should slap some sense into people here!

[NATI BENGALS]

Originally Posted by EyeOfTheTiger

How? How will beating a team of backups that didn't even gameplan for you be a boost?

They aren't even going to try!

Please, I hope the coaches see the logic in not playing our starters.

I guarantee our locker room wants to beat the Ravens.

Our young team going into the playoffs for the second consecutive year, coming off back to back wins against the Steelers and Ravens, and AJ and Dalton getting their first wins against our big brother division rivals. Will be a way better reality for the psyche of our team than letting the Ravens backups beat us as we face the daunting task of preparing to face Tom Brady and the Patriots in the playoffs.

A big day offensively against Baltimore could possibly snap our funk on that side of the ball and get us firing on all cylinders.

Obviously don't play anybody that could aggravate an injury. But we just came off a 10 day break between games and most of our guys are feeling good. If a guy isn't hurting they should play. If a guy will improve physically due to a week of rest then rest him. If not, stay consistent and keep trying to improve and focus on winning the game.

I understand the argument for not wanting to risk injury. But a guy could get hurt warming up. Go whoop up on the Ravens. Winning is all that matters, especially this time of year. Get in that mindset and go on a streak.

[Shake n Blake]

Originally Posted by Jasonew6

Don't rest anyone on offense. They need to get it together for the playoffs.

This. I don't think the offense has earned a day off. Use the Ravens game to help Dalton get some chemistry with our other receivers.

Sit Geno and let some of our backups get their feet wet on defense.

[Who-Dey Girl]

Originally Posted by EyeOfTheTiger

We will be playing 3rd and 4th stringers trying to make a case for themselves. What better way than a good hard hit on Dalton or Green? The image of a Dalton or Green(or any other starter) lying injured on the field should slap some sense into people here!

I understand that you fear an injury but in all honesty I believe that our recent playoff losses where we rest starters and then lost and the fact that many of the recent Superbowl winners did not rest starters (like last years - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Ne..._Giants_season) in week 17 should slap some sense into many of you. JMHO!

[michaelsean]

Some of you guys are nuts. This O has looked terrible. They need to play.

[BengalTrucker]

I say, play the starting O line. They have looked like crap since Cook came back.

I would let the regular guys play into the start of the 3rd quarter.

I would also work Peerman, Herron, Jones, Charles, and Whalen more on offense.
I would work Mays, and others on D more.

That should give the starters a little rest, and still keep them sharp.

Since the game means nothing to Baltimore, the they will not play starters long, and not game plan.

That should let our starters dominate and win. That helps to keep momentum, and still leave time to rest the starters, and give the backups, and young guys some more experience.

[M.W.]

I would play back ups for the majority of the game. It means nothing so having one of the starters get hurt in a meaningless game seems ignorant. All teams have a bye week and that doesn't make them rusty so I don't see how some extra rest here would.

[savagehenry54]

Originally Posted by BengalsRocker

Hmmm

I'd like to say partially. Let them play, but pull them out like a pre-season game.

Let Gradkowski play a bit and give some other guys reps.

As much as you want momentum... you also want your back-ups to knock off the rust.

That way if they are called upon they mighr be able to rise to the occasion.

Please don't slam me for saying "Give Grad some play time". You just never know what can happen in the playoffs.

Chances are they may sit some players as well. So it wouldn't hurt.

I rather like this.

If we can't improve our playoff position, then get 'em some reps and then sit 'em down,

[EyeOfTheTiger]

Originally Posted by NATI BENGALS

I guarantee our locker room wants to beat the Ravens.

Our young team going into the playoffs for the second consecutive year, coming off back to back wins against the Steelers and Ravens, and AJ and Dalton getting their first wins against our big brother division rivals. Will be a way better reality for the psyche of our team than letting the Ravens backups beat us as we face the daunting task of preparing to face Tom Brady and the Patriots in the playoffs.

A big day offensively against Baltimore could possibly snap our funk on that side of the ball and get us firing on all cylinders.

Obviously don't play anybody that could aggravate an injury. But we just came off a 10 day break between games and most of our guys are feeling good. If a guy isn't hurting they should play. If a guy will improve physically due to a week of rest then rest him. If not, stay consistent and keep trying to improve and focus on winning the game.

I understand the argument for not wanting to risk injury. But a guy could get hurt warming up. Go whoop up on the Ravens. Winning is all that matters, especially this time of year. Get in that mindset and go on a streak.

You think beating BACKUPS will help the psyche? Really? Why not play a college team while you are at it?

[NATI BENGALS]

We had a week of rest earlier in the year and came out and lost to the Broncos, one of the AFC teams in the playoffs we might face.