AT ISSUE
Go for it, Patriots
What: Should New England rest its players?
Background: New England has clinched home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs after its win over the New York Jets on Sunday. Often, once teams clinch the home field, they rest their key players. However, the Patriots are 14-0 and are trying to become the first team in NFL history to finish the regular season with a 16-0 record. The 1972 Miami Dolphins went 14-0 in the regular season.
Williamson’s take: Coach Bill Belichick is going to play his stars in the final two games, at home against Miami and at the New York Giants. This is history, folks. It has been 35 years since a team ran the table, and it could be another 35 years before it happens again. The Patriots have to go for it. New England players have been telling friends all season that they want to go down as the greatest team of all time. They want to be perfect.
THE HOT SEAT
Heat wave hits Eli
Who: New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning
When: The rest of the season
Why: Peyton’s younger brother has been on the hot seat all season, but that seat is Las Vegas-in-July hot these days. He had another miserable game, against Washington last Sunday, and his 9-5 team is still trying to clinch a playoff berth. Until the Giants do that, Manning is going to feel pressured. The Giants play at Buffalo this Sunday and then host the Patriots in the regular-season finale. If the Giants don’t get to the playoffs and Manning doesn’t play well down the stretch, he may get run out of town. The hot seat is burning Manning like never before, and he has shown he doesn’t handle pressure very well.
ROOKIE WATCH
Time for Russell
Who: Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell
When: Sunday at Jacksonville against the Jaguars
Why: What is Oakland coach Lane Kiffin doing? He has to play Russell. It just doesn’t make any sense. Kiffin has said he wants to ease Russell into playing time. Why? This kid needs to get his feet wet. He threw seven passes against Denver on Dec. 2 in his NFL debut. He didn’t play in a blowout loss at Green Bay the next week and played in three series against the Colts last week in a close game. Russell looked decent against the Broncos but was ineffective against Indianapolis. But can you blame the kid? He is getting scattered playing time. He needs to be planted behind center in Jacksonville on Sunday. The Raiders are 4-10. The season is over. Russell needs to get some experience. It is a total waste that he is not starting.
