Houston Texans: Bill O’Brien not a fan of the resting ‘strategy’ for players

Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien is not a fan of a resting strategy for players, even if this week’s final matchup doesn’t have any bearing. What?

It’s confirmed Houston Texans‘ fans — our team will be going to the playoffs for the 4th time through the past six seasons and it remains to be seen who their opponent will be.  It’s looking like a matchup with the Buffalo Bills with the team currently holding on to the 4th seed in the AFC but with the fluidity of the situation, things can change quickly.

This is predicated on what the final results of Week 17 and the lower playoff seeding could be shuffling quite a bit.  It’s well-understood that the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots have the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds on lock but it will be interesting to see how the AFC shakes out after Sunday.

So where do the Houston Texans go from here?

At the moment, there appears that there shouldn’t be much a meaning to their matchup against the Tennessee Titans this Sunday because the team has already locked in their position but because the Titans still have a outside shot of getting in, this will be a game they’ll be trying to win.

Depending on the implications, I think the Houston Texans should consider resting players — particularly Deshaun Watson, who took a beating against the Bucs Saturday — ahead of their Week 17 matchup so they’ll be healthy enough to be ready to go against whomever they play outside of next week.

Bill O’Brien was asked about a resting “strategy” for the players if the playoff seeding didn’t matter and here’s what he told the media in today’s presser earlier:

So based off of what he just said, if a player has been cleared to be out on the field, they will be

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there no matter the circumstances.

This quote is exactly the correct answer to give when the media is asking you; but honestly, I know they’re considering something along the lines that I’ve proposed.

You want your players — particularly for franchise quarterback — healthy enough to go the distance because the playoffs are like another season, lasting for the majority of January.

Now whether or not this happens remains to be seen but it’s something that Houston Texans should consider.

Shortly after the conclusion of Saturday’s game against the Bucs, I wrote about how Watson should be rested in favor of A.J. McCarron getting the start for this Sunday.  Take a look at it here.

But nonetheless — this team is the playoffs and it’s up to them to make the most it, so go Houston Texans!