Steelers should have enough in reserve
There aren’t many opportunities to rest starters during the course of a 17-week NFL season but Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin handles resting players as well as anyone, sometimes giving veterans off days on Wednesdays.
Their playoff spot locked in, the Steelers will get the rare chance to play a “meaningless” Week 17 game Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
That doesn’t happen often either, especially if you’re not one of the top two seeds.
So the Steelers will sit, among others, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Antonio Brown, running back Le’Veon Bell and center Maurkice Pouncey.
Don’t expect to see defensive end Stephon Tuitt or tight end Ladarius Green, who missed last week’s win over Baltimore with injuries. Green, however, is starting to show some positive signs, practicing this week after sitting out with a concussion.
And there are others who, at the very least, will see limited playing time, linebacker James Harrison chief among those.
But you can’t sit out everybody.
And for the guys who are playing, this is a big game. Backup quarterback Landry Jones, for example, will be a free agent at the end of this season. He played a decent game in his lone start against New England. But the Steelers must decide whether they have enough faith in Jones as Roethlisberger’s backup to want him back, and he must decide whether he’d like to return in that role or see if another team makes him an offer to compete for a starting job.
There are a lot of teams that did worse this season than lining up Jones under center.
Some of the luster of this game was lost when Cleveland won last week against San Diego. Had that not happened, the Browns would have been playing under a lot of pressure to avoid having a winless season.
Now that they have gotten that win, the Browns have a feeling of relief.
Though the Steelers will be starting a lot of backups, they should still have enough to beat a Cleveland team that has 19 rookies on its active roster and five in the starting lineup.
The Steelers are 6-point favorites and I’ll take the home team.
Take the Steelers, 21-13
Like the Steelers, the Texans are locked into their playoff spot. The Titans will start Matt Cassel at QB.
Take Houston, 16-14
Remember back in Week 2, when the Jets beat the Bills, 37-31, and Rex Ryan fired his offensive coordinator? Now, Ryan’s gone, too. Good times.
Take Buffalo 20-14
The Bengals have shut down A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert for the season. Baltimore needs a win to finish above .500.
Take Baltimore, 23-20
The Giants was bad last week against the Eagles but can ruin Washington’s playoff chances. Washington should be motivated.
Take the Giants to cover in a 27-20 loss
This one decides the NFC North championship with the loser possibly out of the playoffs.
Take Green Bay, 31-27
Two teams playing out the string. Jags have won the past two against the Colts.
Take the Jaguars to cover in a 24-21 loss
Cowboys won’t be motivated in this one after locking up home-field advantage in the NFC.
Take Philadelphia, 24-20
The Minnesota defensive backs won’t have to worry about following the game plan this week.
Take Minnesota, 20-10
The Bucs need a win, and 17 other things, including a Giants-Redskins tie, to get into the playoffs. Yeah, we’re saying there’s a chance.
Take Tampa Bay, 26-20
The Falcons can lock up the No. 2 seed with a win or fall to No. 4 with a loss.
Take Atlanta, 38-31
The Patriots have lost their past three games in Miami, but I’ll take Tom Brady over Matt Moore.
Take New England, 30-17
The Cardinals are playing for pride. The Rams got swept by the 49ers. That will make you swallow any remaining pride.
Take Arizona, 23-13
The Chiefs need a win and Oakland loss to gain the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs. The Chargers lost to the Browns.
Take Kansas City, 27-17
Matt McGloin vs. the Denver defense spells doom for Oakland.
Take Denver, 20-17
Another part of Tampa Bay getting into the playoffs includes the 49ers beating Seattle. Good luck with that.
Take Seattle, 31-14
Last week: 10-4-1 ATS; 11-4 Straight up
Overall: 110-104-5 ATS; 133-84-2 Straight up
Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.