Why didn't the Eagles play Hurts?

@undermysac

 I also wonder about it even affecting the teams that get the bye in the playoffs as well.  
The advantage of homefield may override the ‘disadvantage’ of being off for a week.  
Plus these are generally better teams and can overcome a team that is in rhythm from playing the week before.  
I think there are a lot of ways to look at it. 

@undermysac

 I just saw Brady interviewed and they asked him that very question -- if it was good or bad for a team in the playoffs to get the bye.

He said, for one thing it is not an off week but an extra week of preparation.  Of course, he would say something like that.

But then he said it is an extra week of preparation for the hardest game of the season.

He said, no matter who you play, they will have won a playoff game.  

He said that team will have tremendous confidence going into that game thinking they have just won a playoff game while the other team has been sitting around and not preparing and resting.

He said the way he looked at it was -- what could they do this week to prepare to give them an advantage for the following week.

That is the exact reason I think it has been team-dependent on how some teams have done well with a bye and some have not.  

I think some teams are better coached and stay focused and others do not and relax.

That is why I do not think there is a clear trend on it.