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Boy, I bet the Bengals would like to go back in time a few weeks.  Cincinnati had one of the best seasons in recent memory this year, locking up a playoff spot before the regular season was over.  They chose to sit some of their stars for the final game, and it bit them in the a$$!

Cincy took their final game against the Jets VERY lightly.  They did play some of their starters for a few quarters, but it was evident from the outset that they did not care to win the game.  They ended up benching their starters for the entire second half, and were routed by the Jets 37-0!  That set up a first-round playoff game against.....the Jets.  In the Wild Card Playoffs, the Jets eliminated the Bengals 24-14.  Serves them right!

New York was all but written off by their own coach.  He said they had no chance at the postseason with two regular season games to go....both against playoff teams (the Colts and the Bengals.)  The Colts rested everyone, and the Jets won.  Then they took on an uninterested Bengals team and won that game too.  Those two wins sent them into the playoffs.

Had the Bengals won the final game, they would have instead taken on the Houston Texans....and eliminated the Jets from the postseason.  My guess, Cincy would have won the Texans game.  They would still be alive today, and their Super Bowl goal would still be intact.

It's a double-edged sword.  New England played their guys in the final game, and Wes Welker was injured for the rest of the season.  I understand the dangers....but this is the NFL.  Injuries are going to happen.  If a player makes it though 15 games, what are the chances that they get hurt in one final game?  Minimal at best.  It does happen, but not very often.  And the Welker injury was a fluke.....he wasn't even hit on the play!

The Saints are also in a predicament.  They began resting players down the stretch, losing their final three games. Yes, they did have a first-round bye....but they are now ice cold heading into the playoffs.  I'd rather have a team hot heading into the postseason.

It also isn't fair for the fans.  They pay the same prices for tickets to the regular season finale, but instead watch nothing but a glorified exhibition game.  Any way you look at it, it's not right.....it's not the essence of the NFL.

I hope the Bengals loss taught a lesson to other teams.  If you don't play to win.....you LOSE!