The Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers have been absolute beasts this season, cruising their way into the playoffs. With just one game left before the postseason grind kicks off, the big question is: do you rest your top dogs or keep them on the field to stay sharp? Lions coach Dan Campbell and Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh recently dropped some real talk on the topic, and their takes are fire.

In a clip shared by Ryan Ermanni, Dan Campbell kept it straight about why he played the Lions’ starters. He said, “You can only sit six guys. So who are all those six? Who are the six? And for the other guys that don’t sit, was it fair to them that we are not using everything we’ve got? And we flew out here, we prepared this way, we came out to win, and a mess ultimately is what it came to. Yeah, you do cross your fingers nobody gets hurt. I mean, it’s tough.” Basically, it’s a no-win situation, but Campbell’s all about playing to win while hoping no one catches an L in the form of an injury.

Jim Harbaugh also chimed in, and his take was just as real. “The thing that doesn’t resonate right now is, you know, play the backups. Like that would–what are we going to do, dress 25 guys, you know, for the game?” he said. Harbaugh’s point? It’s not just about resting starters; it’s about fielding a legit squad for the game. He’s clearly not about that ‘half-send it’ life. Just like Campbell, Harbaugh is staying locked in on the playoffs and keeping his team on point.

At the end of the day, these decisions are no joke. Coaches like Dan Campbell and Jim Harbaugh are walking a fine line between keeping their squads healthy and competitive. It’s a high-stakes balancing act. But they’re adopting chess strategies as they get ready for the playoffs.

Reid knows how important it is to rest star players

Over in Kansas City, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is playing it totally differently. He’s giving his top guys a break in their final game against the Broncos. NFL insider Ian Rapoport spilled the tea, confirming that backup QB Carson Wentz will be running the show on Sunday, along with other backups. Reid said, “It wasn’t a hard decision. I’ve been through it before… It gives the other guys an opportunity to grow.” Reid’s clearly vibing with the long-term plan here.

And it’s not just about giving the bench guys a shot. Reid is being smart with his injured starters. Big names like Chris Jones (calf), Isiah Pacheco (ribs), and Jawaan Taylor (knee soreness) sat out practice earlier this week, according to Nate Taylor. Reid’s making sure they have time to bounce back before the postseason heat. Oh, and Mecole Hardman? His 21-day return window is open, so that’s a nice little boost for their depth heading into the playoffs.

Adam Teicher also confirmed what we all expected: Patrick Mahomes and other key players will be chilling on Sunday. The big question, though, is how the Chiefs will handle the Broncos with so many starters sitting. Can Wentz and the squad pull off a dub, or will it just be a chance to level up and learn? Either way, Reid’s taking the long view, and you can’t really hate on that.

By resting his stars, Reid is giving his main guys the chance to recharge for what’s coming–a playoff grind that will demand everything they’ve got. Sure, rolling with the backups has its risks, but Reid’s been around the block, and he’s clearly got his eyes on the big prize: a Super Bowl run. Whether it’s Reid, Campbell, or Harbaugh, every move these coaches make has serious weight.