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Bills Likely to Rest Starters Too -- McDermott Outmaneuvers Tomlin

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topseed

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Just like the adjustments made in the second half a few weeks ago, the Bills coach gets the better of Tomlin again, He let Tomlin put his cards on the table early in the week; now that McDermott knows the Steelers are resting Ben and other key starters, he'll do the same, and set up a first round matchup for his team with the struggling Browns. While forcing the Steelers to play the Ravens and beat the **** out of each other in the first round.

Smart move.
 
topseed said:
Just like the adjustments made in the second half a few weeks ago, the Bills coach gets the better of Tomlin again, He let Tomlin put his cards on the table early in the week; now that McDermott knows the Steelers are resting Ben and other key starters, he'll do the same, and set up a first round matchup for his team with the struggling Browns. While forcing the Steelers to play the Ravens and beat the **** out of each other in the first round.

Smart move.
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I am not an Tomlin apologist but not sure how that out maneuvers what Tomlin is doing. It rests both teams players. If anything it is a move that is equivalent to each other.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
slashsteel said:
I am not an Tomlin apologist but not sure how that out maneuvers what Tomlin is doing. It rests both teams players. If anything it is a move that is equivalent to each other.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app
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I already explained it. He now gets to rest his starters, still gets the #2 seed, and compels the Steelers to play their physical archrivals for the third time this season in the first round. Whichever team makes it out of that game (and I would guess Baltimore at this point) is going to be beat up, mentally drained, and weaker in round 2. Meanwhile, the Bills get to play Cleveland, a team which hasn't made the playoffs in almost 20 years, and is still dealing with Covid issues.

It's not equivalent, it's superior.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
The Steelers were resting guys no matter what. McDermott didn't outmaneuver anyone. Did you listen to Ben's interview this week? He almost sounded like he asked to sit out this week.
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It's Tomlin's prerogative to sit or play whomever he wants. However, he laid out his plan publicly early on; now McDermott is most certainly taking advantage. Let's be honest -- most of us just assumed Buffalo was going to beat Miami, and the Steelers were going to avoid the Ravens in the first round. Now that's not going to be the case. Why? Because of this move by McDermott.

I didn't listen to his interview, but if Ben is asking out of a game, his leadership days with this team are done. And so are the Steelers.
 
topseed said:
It's Tomlin's prerogative to sit or play whomever he wants. However, he laid out his plan publicly early on; now McDermott is most certainly taking advantage. Let's be honest -- most of us just assumed Buffalo was going to beat Miami, and the Steelers were going to avoid the Ravens in the first round. Now that's not going to be the case. Why? Because of this move by McDermott.

I didn't listen to his interview, but if Ben is asking out of a game, his leadership days with this team are done. And so are the Steelers.
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I think McDermott was going to sit guys regardless because like the Steelers, the Bills have a couple of guys on that team that have to stay healthy if they have a chance, but I'll bite. Brilliant move by McDermott. Tank the game and hope the Steelers lose. Steelers play the Ravens, then you have the Titans-Dolphins. If the Steelers win, you get a team you already beat. If the Ravens win, you send one of the hottest teams in the AFC with a physical defense and a dominating running game into Kansas City while you get a matchup against Miami or Tennessee. Everything is setting up very nicely for the Bills to come out of the AFC.
 
topseed said:
I already explained it. He now gets to rest his starters, still gets the #2 seed, and compels the Steelers to play their physical archrivals for the third time this season in the first round. Whichever team makes it out of that game (and I would guess Baltimore at this point) is going to be beat up, mentally drained, and weaker in round 2. Meanwhile, the Bills get to play Cleveland, a team which hasn't made the playoffs in almost 20 years, and is still dealing with Covid issues.

It's not equivalent, it's superior.
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If the Steelers wanted that second seed they wouldn't have rested Ben, etc. With only one team getting a bye and limited fans it isn't nearly as important as seasons past. Sorry just not buying what you are selling I will agree to disagree.

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oh **** this is some bullshit.

Hell Miami might have beat a full strength Bills team....Cleveland could lose to a Steeler team starting some back ups

The bungles could stand up and beat the ratbirds

this thread is idiotic Tomlin hate at its finest
 
This is stupid. The goal here is to give guys a rest. You cannot worry about what someone else is doing.

And if you are trying to maneuver to avoid paying someone, that's cowardly.
 
topseed said:
I already explained it. He now gets to rest his starters, still gets the #2 seed, and compels the Steelers to play their physical archrivals for the third time this season in the first round. Whichever team makes it out of that game (and I would guess Baltimore at this point) is going to be beat up, mentally drained, and weaker in round 2. Meanwhile, the Bills get to play Cleveland, a team which hasn't made the playoffs in almost 20 years, and is still dealing with Covid issues.

It's not equivalent, it's superior.
Click to expand...

And if the Steelers win and the Bills lose? Bills resting starters seems a bit risky, especially since the Browns could potentially be without several starters due to Covid, which would even the playing field with us this Sunday.
 
I know Tua was going to start, but was there any doubt Fitzpatrick was coming in off the bench this week. This is huge news.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dolphins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dolphins</a> QB Ryan Fitzpatrick tested positive for COVID-19 and is out for Sunday’s game against the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bills?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bills</a>, sources tell me and <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RapSheet</a>.</p>— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1344709544648339456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
slashsteel said:
I am not an Tomlin apologist but not sure how that out maneuvers what Tomlin is doing. It rests both teams players. If anything it is a move that is equivalent to each other.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app
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I agree here. At some point long before the game, it would have become pretty clear who was starting. I agree no apologist here. Just is what it is.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
I know Tua was going to start, but was there any doubt Fitzpatrick was coming in off the bench this week. This is huge news.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dolphins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dolphins</a> QB Ryan Fitzpatrick tested positive for COVID-19 and is out for Sunday’s game against the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bills?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bills</a>, sources tell me and <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RapSheet</a>.</p>— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1344709544648339456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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I think the fish got lucky here. They were in a deep spot. Play the young gun supposed future star or give yourself best chance to win. Their FO/ Coaches are doing cartwheels.
 
SteelerSask said:
I think the fish got lucky here. They were in a deep spot. Play the young gun supposed future star or give yourself best chance to win. Their FO/ Coaches are doing cartwheels.
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Their front office is doing cartwheels. Their coaching staff knows Fitzmagic was their best chance at winning.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
Their front office is doing cartwheels. Their coaching staff knows Fitzmagic was their best chance at winning.
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I don't disagree, but its the coach who has to make the call. And he knows they probably aren't quite there anyhow. So now Fitz can quietly walk. If it goes well they make playoffs. If not they have young team narrative. See what this **** did to Philly
 
topseed said:
I already explained it. He now gets to rest his starters, still gets the #2 seed, and compels the Steelers to play their physical archrivals for the third time this season in the first round. Whichever team makes it out of that game (and I would guess Baltimore at this point) is going to be beat up, mentally drained, and weaker in round 2. Meanwhile, the Bills get to play Cleveland, a team which hasn't made the playoffs in almost 20 years, and is still dealing with Covid issues.

It's not equivalent, it's superior.
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to the contrary, the Dolphins are not out of the hunt. If they beat Buffalo, they're in and Baltimore is out.
 
Superman said:
to the contrary, the Dolphins are not out of the hunt. If they beat Buffalo, they're in and Baltimore is out.
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Love the gyrations of who gets in. Especially when the Steelers already are. My understanding was everyone but Indy is win and in.
 
I'm not sure we would win in Cleveland this Sunday even if we did play all of the Starters. This is a MUST win for the Brown but not for us.

After the trials and tribulations the Steelers have suffered this season, starting with the delayed Titans game and the debacle by Goddell and gang concerning the Ravens game being delayed so many times Coach Tomlin is playing it smart to take advantage of the rest week. At least he can control that!

Those that fear that the starters will get rusty fail to realize that this is the last game of the regular season that has been both physically and most certainly mentally challenging. Big Ben has played an entire season on a rebuilt elbow and has to be tired.

Now we move into the playoffs. It doesn't matter who you play, they all are good.

The 11-0 start really helped in one way but placed a lot of pressure on this team. Injuries piled up and then the losses started.

The miracle comeback against the Colts saved us from a total collapse and allowed Coach Tomlin to plan a rest week.

I think the pressure is off of the Steelers for a week and hopefully the starters can heal and get some perspective.

Keep in mind NO ONE picked this team to win the division or go 12-4 or possible 13-3 if they win Sunday.

GO STILLERS! and Happy New Year to all!
 
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Steelers1356 said:
And if the Steelers win and the Bills lose? Bills resting starters seems a bit risky, especially since the Browns could potentially be without several starters due to Covid, which would even the playing field with us this Sunday.
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and the Texans could beat Tenn.
 
topseed said:
Just like the adjustments made in the second half a few weeks ago, the Bills coach gets the better of Tomlin again, He let Tomlin put his cards on the table early in the week; now that McDermott knows the Steelers are resting Ben and other key starters, he'll do the same, and set up a first round matchup for his team with the struggling Browns. While forcing the Steelers to play the Ravens and beat the **** out of each other in the first round.

Smart move.
Click to expand...

What if the Steelers beat a depleted Browns team? The Ravens wouldn't be the Steelers 1st round opponent unless the Ravens lose and some other things happen.

Papillon
 
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