If the 5 seed is locked up in Week 17

[Hasselbeck]

.. do we rest starters? Do we treat it like a Week 17 game where we have HFA wrapped up?

Or do we keep playing and riding the wave of momentum that would have preceded it (assuming they take care of business over the 3 teams they should definitely handle here in the coming weeks).

 

[NOLAHawk]

Momentum. We're flat after byes and we'll need a barometer of the cards. Even if they rest we need to beat them once.

 

[marko358]

.. do we rest starters? Do we treat it like a Week 17 game where we have HFA wrapped up?

Or do we keep playing and riding the wave of momentum that would have preceded it (assuming they take care of business over the 3 teams they should definitely handle here in the coming weeks).

If the 5 seed is wrapped up and there's no chance at the division, I'd say play starters for like a quarter only, then put the backups in.

Agreed. Could you imagine the heat Carroll would take if Sherman, Bennett, Rawls, etc. went down late in the game with a season ending injury?

 

[Cartire]

Concur. If week 17 has no bearing on seeding, then play it like a preseason game. First half starters (keep them warm), second half backups.

 

[RichNhansom]

.. do we rest starters? Do we treat it like a Week 17 game where we have HFA wrapped up?

Or do we keep playing and riding the wave of momentum that would have preceded it (assuming they take care of business over the 3 teams they should definitely handle here in the coming weeks).

If the 5 seed is wrapped up and there's no chance at the division, I'd say play starters for like a quarter only, then put the backups in.

Agreed. Could you imagine the heat Carroll would take if Sherman, Bennett, Rawls, etc. went down late in the game with a season ending injury?

Not to mention giving them practice at defending our new offense and Rawls.

 

[Hasselbeck]

.. do we rest starters? Do we treat it like a Week 17 game where we have HFA wrapped up?

Or do we keep playing and riding the wave of momentum that would have preceded it (assuming they take care of business over the 3 teams they should definitely handle here in the coming weeks).

If the 5 seed is wrapped up and there's no chance at the division, I'd say play starters for like a quarter only, then put the backups in.

Agreed. Could you imagine the heat Carroll would take if Sherman, Bennett, Rawls, etc. went down late in the game with a season ending injury?

If Sherman went down Cary Williams would come back and the 30 for 30 story of redemption would begin.

 

[seahawks08]

.. do we rest starters? Do we treat it like a Week 17 game where we have HFA wrapped up?

Or do we keep playing and riding the wave of momentum that would have preceded it (assuming they take care of business over the 3 teams they should definitely handle here in the coming weeks).

If the 5 seed is wrapped up and there's no chance at the division, I'd say play starters for like a quarter only, then put the backups in.

Agreed. Could you imagine the heat Carroll would take if Sherman, Bennett, Rawls, etc. went down late in the game with a season ending injury?

I don't think Pete care of any heat as long as he has the blessings of Paul Allen. He will do what is best for his program to win as many games to go the superbowl. Different coaches have different philosophies, but he for one would put players in real time situation so that no event is too big for them to get distracted. Having said that, we won't have anything locked up until the last game, the reason being so many what ifs.. I feel every team is going to play super hard and things won't be decided until the last game for most of the other seedings except the 1st and 2nd mostly.

 

[Cartire]

.. do we rest starters? Do we treat it like a Week 17 game where we have HFA wrapped up?

Or do we keep playing and riding the wave of momentum that would have preceded it (assuming they take care of business over the 3 teams they should definitely handle here in the coming weeks).

If the 5 seed is wrapped up and there's no chance at the division, I'd say play starters for like a quarter only, then put the backups in.

Agreed. Could you imagine the heat Carroll would take if Sherman, Bennett, Rawls, etc. went down late in the game with a season ending injury?

If Sherman went down Cary Williams would come back and the 30 for 30 story of redemption would begin.

ukeface:

 

[Ad Hawk]

That could be interesting if both teams are resting starters (assuming the Cards have their division and seeding locked up)... it'll be like a preseason game!

 

[Attyla the Hawk]

No, I keep the pedal down.

If you're a #5 seed, then you're going to be on the road. And you're going to be playing teams that were better than you during the season.

Our hope has to be that we're crisper and cleaner and playing just like we are now. I don't do anything to deviate from that. I would incur the risk of injury in order to keep the execution clean. It's really hard to maintain this level of efficiency. But these performances are championship caliber. Don't change a thing.

Right now, I would consider our playoffs to have already started. That'd be the mindset I'd try to instill and maintain. If we want to win in Carolina or in Arizona, then our playoffs are on in December.

 

[sutz]

Momentum. We're flat after byes and we'll need a barometer of the cards. Even if they rest we need to beat them once.

We haven't been flat after byes in the playoffs the past couple of years.

 

[hgwellz12]

I know it's ALWAYS a possibility injuries can happen...even in practice, hell, a guy can roll an ankle taking the trash out. But, can we have a moratorium on 'INJURY' talk for the remainder of the season? It makes my stomach ache. Thank you kindly, folks. :?

 

[drdiags]

I think Pete would play it like pre-season games 1, 2 or the final one. I would expect to see TJack start and BJ Daniels as his backup.

 

[Seahawkfan80]

Rotation rotation rotation. Get some in with the starters so they see it in real life situations...then rotate the next one in..etc. Need to get real time work in all the time. The more you know....the better you play.

 

[Bigpumpkin]

That could be interesting if both teams are resting starters (assuming the Cards have their division and seeding locked up)... it'll be like a preseason game!

How often will it happen that when players "let off the gas".....they get injured?

 

[hawksfansinceday1]

.. do we rest starters? Do we treat it like a Week 17 game where we have HFA wrapped up?

Or do we keep playing and riding the wave of momentum that would have preceded it (assuming they take care of business over the 3 teams they should definitely handle here in the coming weeks).

If the 5 seed is wrapped up and there's no chance at the division, I'd say play starters for like a quarter only, then put the backups in.

Agreed. Could you imagine the heat Carroll would take if Sherman, Bennett, Rawls, etc. went down late in the game with a season ending injury?

If Sherman went down Cary Williams would come back and the 30 for 30 story of redemption would begin.

ukeface:

 

[Torc]

I think Pete is pretty clear that his overriding philosophy is "always compete". I don't think he'll throw away a game just to rest starters regardless of the seeding.

 

[MizzouHawkGal]

.. do we rest starters? Do we treat it like a Week 17 game where we have HFA wrapped up?

Or do we keep playing and riding the wave of momentum that would have preceded it (assuming they take care of business over the 3 teams they should definitely handle here in the coming weeks).

It won't be. We will either be playing for the division or one of the wildcard spots against Green Bay/Minnesota/Tampa Bay. I have no idea what Arizona is going to do but we have no choice but to go pedal to the metal.

 

[theENGLISHseahawk]

I would treat it like a playoff game. Go there and beat the Cardinals. Go into the playoffs on a role.

There's time for a bye week after the NFC Championship game.

 

[seahawk12thman]

Sitting starters seems to go against Pete's "win forever" philosophy. In the past he has said that every game is a championship game from preseason to regular. Obviously the Hawks have to trim down their roster in preseason so he has to play the pecking order BUT this doesn't qualify. If we are to take him at his word, he is playing to win..