It’s now been five years since the NFL switched to a 17-game regular season, and we’ve officially entered a whole new world. With all but two of the league’s 14 playoff qualifiers already decided, contending teams — like the 13-3 New England Patriots — are left with unique, situation-based decisions entering Week 18.
For some, like the AFC-leading Denver Broncos, the regular-season finale remains a must-win game, with the conference’s No. 1 overall seed yet to be clinched. But for others, like Denver’s Week 18 opponent, the Los Angeles Chargers, resting key starters makes more sense than battling it out for the sixth or seventh seed.