chongli

There is not a 3-way tie technically; only a 2-way tie between SEA and DET. Division tie breakers are used first between GB and DET to rank them in the NFC North division. DET beat GB earlier, so they are ranked ahead of GB. Then the conference tie is now between DET and SEA (GB is already eliminated because of the above). Since SEA beat DET earlier, they are ranked higher than DET in the playoff standings, for now.

Yes.

Some interesting tidbits from Peter King's FMIA column today: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/01/02/daniel-jones-giants-steelers-packers-peter-king-fmia-week-17/ So, TEN-JAX really never had a chance for SNF. They still get a primetime slot, but on Saturday. Plus, the NFL wanted to make it up to ESPN/ABC since they stuck them with TEN-JAX. Plus, it could be Rodgers's farewell.

Speaking of that, the NFL is trying very hard not to feature CLE in any game this year because of the whole Deshaun Watson thing. They never had a chance for Saturday (or SNF, obviously).

There is a joke to be made by someone regarding the title of this thread.

Bills won't be on SNF. The NFL is waiting until after tonight to announce it for a reason. If Bills win, then SNF probably will be CIN-BAL. If we lose, SNF probably will be GB-DET. For SNF, they want ratings but also a game with good playoff implications. A Bills team that has already clinched the #1 seed (if we win tonight and KC loses Saturday) or is locked in at #3 (if we lose tonight and KC and CIN wins next week) is of no interest to the NFL with just NE (without Tom Brady) playing for a WC spot. In that case, they would rather have GB, which is ratings gold. Could even be Rodgers's farewell.

You never know. They almost beat SF Sunday. McDaniel and Stidham are motivated: one possibly playing for his job, and the other to prove he is the QB.

Yes, Detroit is going to want to win regardless, even if it for next year. And the prospect of Rodgers going for a playoff spot is TV gold. But not so much if their opponent gets eliminated an hour before the game. This might not be a risk worth taking. It is probably better reserved for the FOX late game alongside Seattle. Something held the NFL back from placing DET/GB on SNF last night. Is there enough national interest in the Lions right now?

Even better if SEA would lose earlier in the day. Then it is win and in for both DET and GB. But the NFL would be taking a big chance. I still think it woud be BAL-CIN if the Bills win tonight, as then that game is guaranteed to be for the division with the AFC defending champs vs. Lamar, a former MVP.

It is unlikely. As I posted above, the NFL could have announced NE-BUF last night, but decided to wait until after MNF tonight to decide if it is BAL-CIN or DET-GB for game number 272 on SNF.

If SEA wins earlier in the day against the Rams, then DET has no motivation as they are out. It would be either GB or SEA for the 7th seed, as even if DET won on SNF, they would lose to SEA in the head-to-head.

Ratings. The NFL wants State Farm in a stand-alone game for the whole nation to watch. And Miami goes ballistic, lol! SD if they win gets the #5 seed. So if BAL is #6, they play CIN, BUF, or KC in the divisionals.

It is in primetime. Plus, the NFL is catering to the average fan, not the hardcore one. That is why they play on Saturday instead of Sunday.

That doesn't matter. NBC wants the best game, both in terms of ratings and playoff implications. DET-GB is good for ratings, but if SEA wins earlier in the day, DET has nothing to play for, which is going to anger SEA and make GB happy. CIN-BAL is both good for ratings and would be for the division title. That is why NBC prefers it but is willing to go the other route if BUF loses tonight.

The NFL introduced the 2 Saturday games this year, and sacrificed a lot of the competitive balance in favor of ratings. Tennessee and especially Jacksonville aren't exactly "sexy" teams in terms of ratings, so if you were NBC you're probably going to want to really try to sell the NFL on having another game, even if it has less dramatic playoff implications than "win or go home". NBC is secretly rooting for the Bills tonight since they want BAL-CIN next week on SNF. Huge ratings.

If the Bills win, SNF will probably be Baltimore-Cincy as that would be for the division. Plus, if KC lost Saturday, the Bills wouldn't have a need to win Sunday and could rest their starters (angering Miami). If the Bills lost to Cincy, the Packers-Detroit would probably be the SNF game. Also, a slight chance it could be Philly-NYG. Those are really the only three options. As I posted on the other thread:

Everything is being discussed in this thread, including the posts above: NBC prefers Packers-Lions over TEN-JAX in the event the Bills lose to Cincy (ratings, you know: Ten and JAX are small markets).

If the Bengals lose, probably Bengals-Ravens. If the Bengals win, GB-Detroit.

The Dolphins have to be upset about this scheduling because if the Bills win at Cincy and the Chiefs somehow lose Saturday, the Bills won't try in a game that directly impacts their playoff chances.

Yes, if they get in.