thebdj

Correct me if I'm wrong, but all games of significance to each other (i.e. 49ers and Saints playing for #2 seed) are meant to kick off at the same time so as not to promote an advantage.

If that's the case then how come Falcons kick off in the second wave of games, already potentially knowing that they cannot do any better than the #6 seed? With that in mind, and knowing the following week will likely be a trip to The SuperDome (although frankly it doesnt matter if it's a trip to CandleStick), the Falcons can just rest everyone and let Tampa Bay win the game.

Now that doesn't seem right to me. Surely they should play at the same time as the Lions so they can fight for the #5 seed. Of course in that scenario, if they chose to rest players as they felt the Lions would win anyway then that is their choice. Fine. But in this instance, they get a free shot at a rest.

Am I missing something here?