38-0 Really? Denver destroys?

KC has given it their all throughout the season. Their hard work and good play rewarded the team with a meaningless 17th game in which the starters can rest and/or not risk injury for playoffs. I'm sure the 2nd and 3rd string guys were happy for the playing time. And it prepares those 2nd and 3rd string guys better if they are needed during the playoffs.
Eagles in the same position and they beat the Giants with their 3rd string.
 
I guess I am in the minority on this one, whereas I think the team needs to play, to the fullest, 100% of the time. I guess sportsmanship is not a requisite of professional sports.

If it was me, I would feel like an impostor........impostor syndrome.....
 
I guess I am in the minority on this one, whereas I think the team needs to play, to the fullest, 100% of the time. I guess sportsmanship is not a requisite of professional sports.

If it was me, I would feel like an impostor........impostor syndrome.....

The game was meaningless, unless you're a Bengal, in which case you should have played better and not been in that position.

Dan Campbell has the Lions play as you say. That's all well and good until one of your star players gets hurt in a meaningless game.

The Rams also sat a bunch of their starters.
 
how do you feel about QB getting hit after they threw the ball?
I feel it violates the spirit of their own "intent to injure" prohibition.
You can clearly see when QBs are not only hit as mentioned but driven hard into the ground/artificial surface.
This happens well after the ball is thrown. I don't buy for one second that the momentum involved makes this unavoidable.

Also, while I completely understand where you're coming from (game/opponent/fan respect), I think that 53 guys per team underscores that fluidity was designed into the game.
"The tail comes with the hide", might be an appropriate saying here. The metaphorical tail here are any 'meaningless games' which might occur.

Also remember, circumstances can break such that you get "must win at all costs" games throughout the season too.

In baseball, a manager can withhold inserting a pitcher in order to keep from tiring the rotation.
You only get so much meat to throw into the grinder.

The season schedule and the playoff schedule is also an adversary. Each game hereafter is "win or go home".
 
I feel it violates the spirit of their own "intent to injure" prohibition.
This is where sportsmanship comes in.
I don't buy for one second that the momentum involved makes this unavoidable.
A hit, yes absolutely, a slam no......but if you breathe on a star QB, it is a penalty. I would say for the last 15 years, there should be an asterisk by the names of QB......and near the asterisk, "Could not be hit to hard"

I played fullback and middle line backer in HS.......every play, was 100% even when It had nothing to do with me. I would hit everyone with the same power........full power. Ran every play at full speed.....would claw and spit land on my face before I missed a tackle....I liked fullback position much more
"must win at all costs"
That should be the mindset of each player. This is the warrior mentality. But these days, that is not what I see, on the field. I see half ran plays, derelict missed tackles, and QBs who have an hour to throw the ball.
 
It's just business...
I agree, and understand the tactic. I guess I look at it like the best should win. If you are the best, then you will prevail, all takers welcome. It is reckless sure, but honorable.
 
Not so fast. The Cowboys have the best owner, GM, and Director of Football Operations in the entire NFL. Just ask him.

And I probably left out another title or two.:confused:
Don't remind me. Being a Cowboys fan, I wanna barf every time he speaks.
 
The game was meaningless, unless you're a Bengal, in which case you should have played better and not been in that position.

Dan Campbell has the Lions play as you say. That's all well and good until one of your star players gets hurt in a meaningless game.

The Rams also sat a bunch of their starters.
Look at what happened to Green Bay in a meaningless game this past weekend. WR is now out for season and QB1 injured his elbow and will be less than 100% for first playoff game.
 
They rested all their big stars. Sometimes it works. We'll see. Long term goals (SB) vs short term gains (meaningless game).


A lot of time that does not work…

Teams trying that nonsense lost routinely ….

Indianapolis Colts, KC, Denver Broncos from the late 90s well into the 2000s did that..


They all got beat at home.., when the game “ mattered” …

First round divisional games…

I am not saying the starters need to play the whole game… Obviously if they have a big lead then yeah go ahead and get them out of the game if it’s in hand.

I like what the late GREAT John Madden said about this nonsense…. In late 1985 season game between the 12-1 Chicago Bears and the 10-4 NY Jets… Chicago had their division wrapped and home field advantage wrapped up to prior to playing the NY Jets. People in the moron media said it was a “ meaningless game..”

“ If there’s a game to be played… Then they should play it.. I believe the Chicago Bears are the best team in football… And if that is true then they should beat the NY Jets because they are the better team. And I believe they will go on to win the Super Bowl. If you need reasons to win a game.. Then that team may not be the best team and may not go on to win the Super Bowl… “

And later in that game .. John Madden stated, “ you can’t just put these guys in a glass case.” And in regards to the great Walter Payton he said , “ if there is a football game happening… Walter Payton is gonna play in it…”

Chicago won16-6 over the Jets.. And obviously went on to win the Super Bowl 46-10 over the New England Patriots.


Enough said… In my strong opinion…
 
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Also when the 15-0 New England Patriots were going to play the 10-5 NY Giants..


And media idiots were like… Tom Brady, Randy Moss etc etc and NY Giants players maybe shouldn’t play in a “ meaningless game”…


The blanking played…. And both teams played **** hard… Starters stayed in the WHOLE game…

38-35 New England won…

And it was a darn good game… Big Credit to Bill Belichek and Tom Coughlin…
 
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Also when the 15-0 New England Patriots were going to play the 10-5 NY Giants
That is different. Playing an undefeated season or spoiling someone's undefeated season is a big thing. Kansas City had already lost once this year.
 
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