I am with you in that I also want the team to hit the ground running when they get to the playoffs. And I bet we would also both like the Rams to be as healthy as possible. A difficult balancing act to be sure.
For your consideration:
- When NFL teams have a bye week they have to give the players four consecutive days off. If the Rams rest their starters in week 17 they will have no such restriction. Perhaps they could prep for their playoff game better than they can when they have a bye?
- The Rams didn't play their starters at all in the preseason, yet won their opener 34-14. And that was Stafford's best game of the season, statistically: 20 for 26, 321 yards, 3 TDs, no ints, 156.1 passer rating.
AlbaNY_Ram