what does play off mean?

[ionutzavram]

He played off the energy crisis story and called the science editor of [FONT=Bookman Old Style,Bookman Old Style]Time [/FONT]directly on the telephone.

 

[Shakespeare's brother]

In this context it seems to mean 'dismiss', as in played down, to (dishonestly) calm fears about the energy crisis.

It can also mean a final battle in sport to determine who will win, after two teams have tied at the end of their first meeting.