Play them or rest them?

[JohnnyUrulz]

Apparently Dixon ran the option in practice to prep for the skins game. Seems word out of the castle was that he was amazing at it. Let's get hiim in there and run them all over the place at least for the second half.

I know, it's practice, but Dixon did start vs. Ravens in M&T couple years ago and played really well. Still wondering why Tyrod is second string unless it's a money thing.

[Peej7245]

I'm the complete opposite

As banged up as this team is right now being healthy for the playoff is important then winning a somewhat meaningless game IMO...

Actually, if the Ravens win on Sunday, that will force the Patsies to win their game too in order to stay ahead of the Ravens in the seeding...if the Ravens lose, then it is the Patsies who also can rest their dinged starters.

I believe that the Ravens should play hard and win in order to force the Pats to do the same.

Who knows, should Miami pull an upset and the Ravens have already won, this will have made our game NOT meaningless.

[durango46]

Actually, if the Ravens win on Sunday, that will force the Patsies to win their game too in order to stay ahead of the Ravens in the seeding...if the Ravens lose, then it is the Patsies who also can rest their dinged starters.

I believe that the Ravens should play hard and win in order to force the Pats to do the same.

Who knows, should Miami pull an upset and the Ravens have already won, this will have made our game NOT meaningless.

I'm well aware that we could pass the Pats for the 3 seed. However I don't see the Fish pulling the upset in NE. I also prefer the Colts over the Bengals in the 1st round.

I also prefer getting the walking wounded healed up a bit more for the playoffs. This team is to banged up.

My point is....if Pollard, Boldin, Ray Lewis (who I think really needs to play) and several other starters don't play....I'm resting guys like Flacco and Ray Rice. Any momentum gained by the Giant blowout will be lost if they get beat by the Bengals. Now you've lost to the Bengals and your players still aren't healthy. Just isn't worth it IMO...

Either all in or all out.....just my take though

[johnpolitics]

You play to win the game. In 2007 the Giants with nothing to play for played their last game straight up against the 15-0 Patriots. They lost but the game gave them confidence going into the playoffs.

[Peej7245]

I'm well aware that we could pass the Pats for the 3 seed. However I don't see the Fish pulling the upset in NE. I also prefer the Colts over the Bengals in the 1st round.

I also prefer getting the walking wounded healed up a bit more for the playoffs. This team is to banged up.

My point is....if Pollard, Boldin, Ray Lewis (who I think really needs to play) and several other starters don't play....I'm resting guys like Flacco and Ray Rice. Any momentum gained by the Giant blowout will be lost if they get beat by the Bengals. Now you've lost to the Bengals and your players still aren't healthy. Just isn't worth it IMO...

Either all in or all out.....just my take though

It is an either-or proposition. If they play and win, and the Patsies lose...then the seedings switch with a second game in Baltimore!

Should the Patsies win, no seed movement, but they might have to play their starters too...

It's a gamble either way but that's why the Ravens didn't hire us!

[BlandFood]

Give Lewis a little time, same for Suggs.... Lil Ray, Flacco, Bouldin and Smith play 1st qtr. Let Tie Rod and the other backups play like there is no tomorrow. NE isn't going to lose.

[BlandFood]

Apparently Dixon ran the option in practice to prep for the skins game. Seems word out of the castle was that he was amazing at it. Let's get hiim in there and run them all over the place at least for the second half.

I know, it's practice, but Dixon did start vs. Ravens in M&T couple years ago and played really well. Still wondering why Tyrod is second string unless it's a money thing.

Kidding right?

[jessup270]

People can come up with an excuse for any situation.

If the Ravens rest their starters and lose in the first round, some people will say it was because they didn't have momentum.

If the Ravens play their starters and lose in the first round, some people will say it was because they didn't rest their starters.

If it was my decision, I would rest the starters. Once the playoffs start for a team, there will be zero time to rest until a team makes it to the SB.

[terpmaniac]

Play to win..damn-it! Plus a loss to Cincy would bring out those obnoxious Bengals fans who will gladly proclaim victories over Pitt and Baltimore proves beyond a shawdow of a doubt that "they" are not the team to fear in the AFC North. (Yes, I know they have been singing that sad song for the last 5 years)but a win would make it even worst!

[Brohan]

Play to win..damn-it! Plus a loss to Cincy would bring out those obnoxious Bengals fans who will gladly proclaim victories over Pitt and Baltimore proves beyond a shawdow of a doubt that "they" are not the team to fear in the AFC North. (Yes, I know they have been singing that sad song for the last 5 years)but a win would make it even worst!

Bengals are in the same boat as the Ravens. They would be wise to rest their dinged-up/hurting starters/vets as well.

[TDL]

If they can escape the game without any major injuries and Flacco can be pulled after a second successful start in a row I will consider that as a win regardless of the final score.I think it's important that Flacco strings together two solid starts in a row in order to build confidence and momentum for the playoffs.

[West Chester Raven]

I think they should approach it like they would the final preseason game. Of course, how the game is going will dictate how it plays out. If for some strange reason, they're blowing the Bengals out by half time, look for the subs to come in across the board in the 3rd quarter. If the game is tight, everyone will play for the duration. You have to be careful offensively because you don't want to disrupt what they had going against New York and build further on Caldwell's input. Personally, I'd rather see them play Indy at home than have to face Cincinnati twice. So, the best of both worlds is for the Ravens and New England to win on Sunday.

James: I have to agree with you. As banged up as we have been and as uneven as we have been of late, I am not liking the prospect of playing the Bengals twice and winning both games. Probably not gonna happen. They are due for a win in this series - can't hold them off forever. We are far better off playing the Colts at home.