Full disclosure: I'm not a coach. I didn't play football in college, or even high school. But I'm pretty decent at Madden and I've been going to football games for around 35 years. So I'm not an expert. I'm a fan.
Maybe that's the reason I don't understand why some teams do what they do.
When Aaron Rodgers took the field in the second half of a 42-0 blowout, there were probably groans and cheers all over the country. The cheers were from fantasy owners who had Rodgers, and a chance to reap a seventh touchdown pass for their team. But some of the groans probably came from Rodgers owners as well.
Many of us have been in the strange position of staring at the television and yelling at a coach to take our own player out of the game. In this case, if you didn't need the points, and the Packers didn't need the points, there wasn't much to gain by leaving him in there. But there was a lot to lose. A whole lot. Anyone who saw the Packers last year without their quarterback knows what I mean. Fantasy teams suffer, too. So anyone with Rodgers, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb might have been better served if everyone took a rest for the final 30 minutes of that game. I don't have Rodgers and I wasn't facing him, and even I wanted him out of there.
Same with the Bears, by the way. At least after they scored. I understand wanting to get rid of that shutout, and Brandon Marshall owners had to be happy to salvage that long touchdown. But the game was over, and an ankle injury is probably the last thing owners needed to see. Maybe it's bad and maybe it isn't. But it wouldn't have happened at all if he wasn't in the game.
Peyton Manning could have taken a seat on the bench earlier, too. Where would the Broncos be without Manning? Would they win two more games this season? Think of all the fantasy players who succeed because of him. Would you be confident about starting those receivers with Brock Osweiler behind center? I wouldn't. I couldn't even spell "Osweiler" before writing this column. When a guy is so instrumental to the team that they can't succeed without him, his backup should be in the game during a blowout. And it doesn't matter if they're winning or losing.
Now, that doesn't mean I don't love some nice garbage-time stats at the end of a decided game. When a team is three scores down, receivers start catching passes and backs find room to run. A late touchdown can make the difference between winning and losing a fantasy game, and I wouldn't want to give that up. It's what makes watching games fun in the last few minutes.
But there's a difference between 27-10 and 42-0. One is garbage time and the other is garbage. I can see a fantasy owner feeling conflicted because they want points, but don't want to risk the player who provides them. But as a fan of an NFL team, I'd be upset if a star was playing in a blowout. If I was a Packers fans I wouldn't want Rodgers anywhere near the field when 11 humiliated, unhappy, talented millionaires on the other side of the ball want to slam him into the ground to regain a little dignity. Maybe they take a penalty to do it. Maybe they throw an elbow. Maybe they don't let up at the last second. And maybe that's the end of Green Bay's season.
There are times when it makes sense to leave starters in a blowout. The Eagles wanted Mark Sanchez to get as much game experience as he can get. They need him as prepared as possible. And in Carolina, Kelvin Benjamin is a rookie. He still drops passes and makes rookie mistakes. He needs every snap at this point. But in most cases, it doesn't make much sense to me.
It's great to win your game in week 10. But if you lose one of your best players because he stayed in the game too long, what does that do for you in week 15 or 16? How many Rodgers or Manning owners have a great backup who can replace those points? Probably not too many.
So if your opponent started Rodgers and you lost big, you were probably unhappy to see him throwing into the end zone trying for number seven. Just know that your opponent might have felt the same way, and the smart fans in Green Bay were right there with you, too. Considering the ratings that the stars bring to the table, don't be surprised if a few NFL executives shared your sentiments.
Then again, I'm so cautious I pull my guys in Madden. I really do. That AI gets sneaky in the playoffs and I need my players healthy. So at least I'm consistent. But I hope your players rack up so many points that you want them benched in week 11. Good luck.
Do you want your best players racking up points in a blowout, or do you want them off the field? Share your thoughts below.