While good coaches focus (as they will always tell you) on the next opponent, great coaches focus on the upcoming campaign and make initial assessments regarding the employment of their scarce resources. While we would never suggest that certain teams might be prone to take a week off here and there, we will certainly suggest that certain coaches will consider conservation as part of their in-game decision making when situations arise.
Consider teams that would be crippled by losing their starting QB. Would you, as coach, be tempted to pull any of the following number one's with a sizable lead??:
1. Jared Goff
The Rams put up a lot of points but would be crushed if their starter went down.
2. DeShaun Watson
DSW was fabulous last year before a freak injury cost him his season. Houston has a serious shot with him and likely none without him.
3. Russell Wilson
Seattle has a lot of issues but fighting for the playoffs won't be one of them if Wilson misses significant time. Nothing behind him.
4. Cam Newton
Perhaps Cam will be treated a bit better by the refs with the new contact rules; regardless, he needs to take care of himself because there is no talent at all behind him at present.
You can consider the same calculus when looking at the top running backs and receivers, especially where the backups are substandard or worse. Consider this when looking at playing a big favorite that might choose to shut things down with a big lead as opposed to risking injury to an unreplaceable piece of the puzzle for no good reason. Consider the Under in a high total game that looks like a mismatch (or consider playing the under for the second half in the same scenario).
In the NFL, winning 23-14 is the same as winning 48-3. The smarter breed of coach will be looking to get up on the opposition early and often in games and then consider the risk/reward of exposing his top talent unnecessarily. No specific recommendations but an insight into some of what we will be looking at this year.
Consider teams that would be crippled by losing their starting QB. Would you, as coach, be tempted to pull any of the following number one's with a sizable lead??:
1. Jared Goff
The Rams put up a lot of points but would be crushed if their starter went down.
2. DeShaun Watson
DSW was fabulous last year before a freak injury cost him his season. Houston has a serious shot with him and likely none without him.
3. Russell Wilson
Seattle has a lot of issues but fighting for the playoffs won't be one of them if Wilson misses significant time. Nothing behind him.
4. Cam Newton
Perhaps Cam will be treated a bit better by the refs with the new contact rules; regardless, he needs to take care of himself because there is no talent at all behind him at present.
You can consider the same calculus when looking at the top running backs and receivers, especially where the backups are substandard or worse. Consider this when looking at playing a big favorite that might choose to shut things down with a big lead as opposed to risking injury to an unreplaceable piece of the puzzle for no good reason. Consider the Under in a high total game that looks like a mismatch (or consider playing the under for the second half in the same scenario).
In the NFL, winning 23-14 is the same as winning 48-3. The smarter breed of coach will be looking to get up on the opposition early and often in games and then consider the risk/reward of exposing his top talent unnecessarily. No specific recommendations but an insight into some of what we will be looking at this year.
