With the Lions clinching their first playoff spot since 1999 this past Saturday, the debate has begun as to whether or not the team should rest their starters in the final week of the regular season in preparation of Wild Card weekend.
This Sunday, the Lions head to Green Bay to take on the Packers a team they haven’t beaten on the road since 1991. The Packers who have wrapped up home field throughout the playoffs (except for the Superbowl) will undoubtedly have nothing to play for this weekend which means they more than likely will be resting plenty of their starters.
Unlike the Packers though, the Lions still have plenty of play for this weekend. Yes they did get that Wild Card spot which was important, but a win this weekend would mean the Lions clinch the #5 seed in the NFC rather than the #6 seed. This could be vital considering a #5 seed would mean the Lions would end up playing either the Dallas Cowboys or New York Giants, two teams that have been extremely inconsistent this past year and appear to be very beatable. More importantly though the Lions would avoid a first round matchup with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.
There is always the possibility too that one of the starters like Matthew Stafford or Calvin Johnson get injured this weekend and hold them out of the playoffs. Now this is a legitimate concern however it would be even more legitimate if the Lions truly had an excellent shot at the Superbowl, something we shouldn’t kid ourselves into believing.
Because of what’s at stake the Lions may consider resting their starters more during the week instead of Sunday. According to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News, wide receiver Calvin Johnson was seen on the sidelines without a helmet while the rest of his team was practicing on Wednesday. McCosky took Johnson’s absence as a day of rest rather than an issue of injury.
Not to mention a win in Green Bay would end the 20 year-long winless streak in Green Bay and ensure the Lions an 11 win season for the first time since 1995.
Ref: ESPN, Detroit News, Zimbio (image)