This theory cuts both ways

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JYB
The primary reason to rest them so they're fresh for the first game. Teams coming off of a first round bye are typically fresher, faster and more focused. Other players need the break to let their bodies heal. All of which can make a significant difference in performance. McVay is focused squarely on the first playoff game and is trying to maximize the team's chances of winning it by making sure key players are healthy, fresh and focused. I think he's doing the right thing.

"Fresh and focused" can also end up as rusty and distracted with a week off heading into the post season.

Last season, for instance, it turned out to be a 50/50 proposition, But that's just teams that didn't get the playoff bye beating teams that did half the time last year. That's not teams who gave themselves an effective bye by playing a game in which they changed their season long focus and process from winning to something else entirely. If focus is your goal, I'm not sure how taking the focus off winning for a week helps that. I think that's a threat to focus.