Week 18 Saturday Games

[Buffalo03]

12 minutes ago, strive_for_five_guy said:

If the last AFC WC spot is still up for grabs heading into Week 18, the Broncos game won’t get flexed to Saturday night.  It could take away any suspense for other teams like the Bengals that would still be vying for that spot.

Well, that's the thing, it would depend on what happens on Saturday. Because the first game Saturday is Chargers at Patriots. If the Chargers win that game, they clinch. The Broncos only have to win one game to clinch, whether that would be Saturday at the Bengals or the following week against the Chiefs. If the Bills and Chiefs are playing for the 1 and the Broncos are playing for win and in. Then the NFL can kill 2 birds with 1 stone by putting that game Saturday night. Because in that case, the Chiefs would need to win to get the 1 and the Broncos could be lose and go home 

[Einstein]

1 hour ago, Buffalo03 said:

 

Saturday January 4th

 

4:30pm Bills at Patriots

8:00pm Chiefs at Broncos

 

I don't think these games will be flipped because if the Chiefs play first and win, then that makes the Bills game pointless. What does everyone think? What are your picks for the possible Saturday games?

 

 

It would be the same either way. If Bills lose, then Chiefs have nothing to play for.

[Buffalo03]

10 minutes ago, MikePJ76 said:

My point was Denver would be rewarded with an extra day of rest if they played Saturday at home.  Then Buffalo played a road game Sunday.  Seems odd to reward the 7 seed with an extra day of rest.

Not necessarily. We don't know what the wild card matchups are gonna be and I don't think 1 extra day if rest is really gonna make that much difference but this would only be referring to of the Bills and Broncos both play Saturday in week 18. Neither team would have 1 extra day of rest because they would both be playing Saturday and then against each other either Saturday or Sunday the following week in the Wild card round. No one would get am extra day over the other

1 minute ago, Einstein said:

 

It would be the same either way. If Bills lose, then Chiefs have nothing to play for.

Yes, but I honestly don't think the Bills would lose to the Patriots. Secondly, in this scenario, even if the Chiefs have nothing to play for, the Broncos would still need to win to get in so that would still make the game meaningful either way

[chongli]

1 hour ago, Buffalo03 said:

But if you look at how I scheduled it, the Bills would play first at 4:30. If they win, that 100% puts the pressure on the Chiefs on the 8:00 game to also have to play to win the final week.

 

 

1 hour ago, Buffalo03 said:

If one game is played before the other in the order that I put it in, then there is plenty of an advantage. The Bills would need to win and have the Chiefs lose to get the one. The Bills playing at 4:30 Saturday would put the pressure on the Chiefs to definitely have to play to win Saturday night. To me, it's the same as letting them play at the same time Sunday at 4:25

 

No, the Bills and KC cannot play Saturday. If the Bills play first and lose, KC could then rest its starters, knowing they had the AFC locked up.

 

Everyone: let's stop the Saturday games speculation until Week 17 finishes.

[Rigotz]

1 hour ago, f0neguy said:

If the Steelers beat the Chiefs and the Bills beat the Jets this week then the Bills and Chiefs games will be at the same time on the final weekend.  That way both teams have to play to win, nobody gets a break.

 

This sucks, but is the correct answer.

 

The NFL would never knowingly allow the Bills to rest their starters and get terrible ratings on a prime weekend game.

[Buffalo03]

2 minutes ago, chongli said:

 

 

No, the Bills and KC cannot play Saturday. If the Bills play first and lose, KC could then rest its starters, knowing they had the AFC locked up.

 

Everyone: let's stop the Saturday games speculation until Week 17 finishes.

But Broncos, who the Chiefs play week 18, could possibly be in a win an in situation. So, even if the Bills were to lose to the Patriots for some weird reason and the Chiefs get the 1. Then the Broncos could very well be facing a win or go home situation. So, it works either way

[strive_for_five_guy]

2 minutes ago, chongli said:

 

 

No, the Bills and KC cannot play Saturday. If the Bills play first and lose, KC could then rest its starters, knowing they had the AFC locked up.

 

Everyone: let's stop the Saturday games speculation until Week 17 finishes.

Agree we’ve already talked enough about Bills and Chiefs on that Saturday, especially since it won’t be happening lol.

[chongli]

22 minutes ago, Buffalo03 said:

But Broncos, who the Chiefs play week 18, could possibly be in a win an in situation. So, even if the Bills were to lose to the Patriots for some weird reason and the Chiefs get the 1. Then the Broncos could very well be facing a win or go home situation. So, it works either way

 

I didn't say anything about the Broncos. But the NFL wants no team to have advantage Week 18. The Bills and KC are not playing Saturday under your scenario  Stop it with that argument. It's a non-starter.

Edited 7 hours ago by chongli

[JP51]

2 hours ago, SoCal Deek said:

While I see your point, in that scenario wouldn’t the NFL want the Bills and Chiefs to play at the exact same time? What’s the advantage of them playing on Saturday? 

I would agree, if there was something to play for I would think they would avoid giving an advantage. 

[djp14150]

3 hours ago, Buffalo03 said:

As we know, the NFL likes to schedule 2 games on Saturday during week 18 with playoff implications. There are really only 5 games I can see them choosing from looking at the lineup of games but it obviously depends on what happens this week. If the Steelers beat the Chiefs and Bills beat the Jets, I can see Bills vs Patriots and Chiefs at Broncos being the 2 games as it could be both of them going for the 1 seed in the AFC. I can also see Browns at Ravens and Bengals at Steelers being 2 other games since that could be to determine who wins that division. The one other game I could possibly see would be Seahawks at Rams as that could possibly be for the NFC West as well. It doesn't really appear there will be "win and in" games to pick from and I think Vikings at Lions will be the Sunday night game as that can be what determines the number 1 seed in the NFC. 

 

If the Steelers beat the Chiefs and Bills beat the Jets, I could definitely see

 

Saturday January 4th

4:30pm Bills at Patriots

8:00pm Chiefs at Broncos

 

I don't think these games will be flipped because if the Chiefs play first and win, then that makes the Bills game pointless. What does everyone think? What are your picks for the possible Saturday games?

 

 

as of now the likely week 18 Sat/ NBC games….assume they do matter

 

NBC

Vikings- Lions

—just not have MIN L and DET W. Any other keeps this a W gets division.

Seahawks-Rams ( must have rams L next week )

— Rams beat AZ next week and results of other games could clinch division because a week 18 SEA W would come down to straight of schedule  tie breaker which rams can clinch after week 17 games.

If neither matters it could be other games but they run the risking backing into the playoff spot/ position like PIT/BAL they team test controls it with a W could move here if others aren’t 

 

ABC/ESPN

if Both SEA/Rams are MIN/DET matter then SEA/Rams game #2 on ESPN/ABC Saturday 

MIA/JETs and IND/JAX if the both W in week 17 and one of DEN/LAC lose then those games could play Saturday because it's a must E and watch.

IF ATL and TB both W then ATL/CAR could move to SAT. ATL W wins the division but TB can still get WC in week 18 with W and WAS L or GB LLL

 

 

 

NOTES 

In week 17 if ATL W and TB L then ATL clinch division. Other scenarios these  occur at same time

 

PIT and BAL will need to be at same time. Nobody clinches after week 17 no matter what happens

 

IF KC L and Bills W, Bills move to 425pm week 18

 

SEA I believe is out of a WC spot…it’s win the division or nothing. With a WW and rams get div, thry L tiebreakers to other teams in ties at 10 wins duevto better conf record and H2H GB loss.

 

ATL also can’t enter as a WC with results. Try WW they get division, they L they can’t get a WC

 

WAS and TB if ATL W and TB W would occur at the same time 

 

WAS and GB needs W to clinch WC. If they L tonight and next week they play same time as WAS and TB

 

PHL magic number is 1 for div. IF WAS W and PHL L then those 2 occur at same time 

 

 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by djp14150

[Buffalo03]

57 minutes ago, chongli said:

 

I didn't say anything about the Broncos. But the NFL wants no team to have advantage Week 18. The Bills and KC are not playing Saturday under your scenario  Stop it with that argument. It's a non-starter.

You're tired of not having having Sunday 1pm games, aren't you? Lol

7 minutes ago, djp14150 said:

 

as of now the likely week 18 Sat/ NBC games….assume they do matter

 

NBC

Vikings- Lions

—just not have MIN L and DET W. Any other keeps this a W gets division.

Seahawks-Rams ( must have rams L next week )

— Rams beat AZ next week and results of other games could clinch division because a week 18 SEA W would come down to straight of schedule  tie breaker which rams can clinch after week 17 games.

If neither matters it could be other games but they run the risking backing into the playoff spot/ position like PIT/BAL they team test controls it with a W could move here if others aren’t 

 

ABC/ESPN

if Both SEA/Rams are MIN/DET matter then SEA/Rams game #2 on ESPN/ABC Saturday 

MIA/JETs and IND/JAX if the both W in week 17 and one of DEN/LAC lose then those games could play Saturday because it's a must E and watch.

IF ATL and TB both W then ATL/CAR could move to SAT. ATL W wins the division but TB can still get WC in week 18 with W and WAS L or GB LLL

 

 

 

NOTES 

In week 17 if ATL W and TB L then ATL clinch division. Other scenarios these  occur at same time

 

PIT and BAL will need to be at same time. Nobody clinches after week 17 no matter what happens

 

IF KC L and Bills W, Bills move to 425pm week 18

 

SEA I believe is out of a WC spot…it’s win the division or nothing. With a WW and rams get div, thry L tiebreakers to other teams in ties at 10 wins duevto better conf record and H2H GB loss.

 

ATL also can’t enter as a WC with results. Try WW they get division, they L they can’t get a WC

 

WAS and TB if ATL W and TB W would occur at the same time 

 

WAS and GB needs W to clinch WC. If they L tonight and next week they play same time as WAS and TB

 

PHL magic number is 1 for div. IF WAS W and PHL L then those 2 occur at same time 

 

 

 

I think Vikings Lions will be the Sunday Night game. I don't think there is any chance that becomes a Saturday game

8 minutes ago, djp14150 said:

 

as of now the likely week 18 Sat/ NBC games….assume they do matter

 

NBC

Vikings- Lions

—just not have MIN L and DET W. Any other keeps this a W gets division.

Seahawks-Rams ( must have rams L next week )

— Rams beat AZ next week and results of other games could clinch division because a week 18 SEA W would come down to straight of schedule  tie breaker which rams can clinch after week 17 games.

If neither matters it could be other games but they run the risking backing into the playoff spot/ position like PIT/BAL they team test controls it with a W could move here if others aren’t 

 

ABC/ESPN

if Both SEA/Rams are MIN/DET matter then SEA/Rams game #2 on ESPN/ABC Saturday 

MIA/JETs and IND/JAX if the both W in week 17 and one of DEN/LAC lose then those games could play Saturday because it's a must E and watch.

IF ATL and TB both W then ATL/CAR could move to SAT. ATL W wins the division but TB can still get WC in week 18 with W and WAS L or GB LLL

 

 

 

NOTES 

In week 17 if ATL W and TB L then ATL clinch division. Other scenarios these  occur at same time

 

PIT and BAL will need to be at same time. Nobody clinches after week 17 no matter what happens

 

IF KC L and Bills W, Bills move to 425pm week 18

 

SEA I believe is out of a WC spot…it’s win the division or nothing. With a WW and rams get div, thry L tiebreakers to other teams in ties at 10 wins duevto better conf record and H2H GB loss.

 

ATL also can’t enter as a WC with results. Try WW they get division, they L they can’t get a WC

 

WAS and TB if ATL W and TB W would occur at the same time 

 

WAS and GB needs W to clinch WC. If they L tonight and next week they play same time as WAS and TB

 

PHL magic number is 1 for div. IF WAS W and PHL L then those 2 occur at same time 

 

 

 

Secondly, I don't think there is any way in hell that Miami or Indy is gonna have a shot at getting in. So, those games, shouldn't even be in consideration. I see it as 2 possible win and in games of which outside of the Rams Seahawks, there may not really be another one

[416BillsFan]

1 hour ago, Gregg said:

 

Unless FOX has it protected that Vikings - Lions game is getting flexed to SNF. Good chance it's not only for the division but the #1 seed as well.

FOX/CBS can't protect games in week 18 because they aren't assigned beforehand.

[djp14150]

5 minutes ago, Buffalo03 said:

You're tired of not having having Sunday 1pm games, aren't you? Lol

I think Vikings Lions will be the Sunday Night game. I don't think there is any chance that becomes a Saturday game

Secondly, I don't think there is any way in hell that Miami or Indy is gonna have a shot at getting in. So, those games, shouldn't even be in consideration. I see it as 2 possible win and in games of which outside of the Rams Seahawks, there may not really be another one

 

based on results…

 

if DEN or LAC L and MIA or INDY W puts WC up for grabs. Thry could use MIA or Indy because they need to Winnand watch

[Buffalo03]

1 minute ago, djp14150 said:

 

based on results…

 

if DEN or LAC L and MIA or INDY W puts WC up for grabs. Thry could use MIA or Indy because they need to Winnand watch

Miami and Indy, I don't think stand any chance at all. I don't even think they will be a consideration 

[djp14150]

1 minute ago, 416BillsFan said:

FOX/CBS can't protect games in week 18 because they aren't assigned beforehand.

Agred

 

the thing I’m unsure about are the new rules with moving games between networks.

 

You’d ideally have PIT and BAL play on opposite networks with div st stake. Same with TB and WAS for a WC spot.

Just now, Buffalo03 said:

Miami and Indy, I don't think stand any chance at all. I don't even think they will be a consideration 

They do.

 

it depends on what happens week 17.

 

the only games eliminated from going anywhere special is SF-AZ both are eliminated.

HOU game can matter in seeding

[416BillsFan]

1 minute ago, djp14150 said:

Agred

 

the thing I’m unsure about are the new rules with moving games between networks.

 

You’d ideally have PIT and BAL play on opposite networks with div st stake. Same with TB and WAS for a WC spot.

Yes. The best was about 5 years ago or so when they had one division sorted out mostly in the 1pm window then the other in the later timeslot. What the league seems to have done lately is put the non-meaningful games @ 1, followed by the meaningful games in the higher-rated 4:30 frame.

[strive_for_five_guy]

6 minutes ago, Buffalo03 said:

Miami and Indy, I don't think stand any chance at all. I don't even think they will be a consideration 

So you don’t think the Broncos could lose to the Bengals this week, and Indy to beat the Giants?  That’s all it takes for Indy to be live heading into Week 18.

[mannc]

I don’t remember the NFL ever having Saturday games on the last week of the season…

[djp14150]

1 minute ago, 416BillsFan said:

Yes. The best was about 5 years ago or so when they had one division sorted out mostly in the 1pm window then the other in the later timeslot. What the league seems to have done lately is put the non-meaningful games @ 1, followed by the meaningful games in the higher-rated 4:30 frame.

thr other piece is tv rules.

 

thry now have a rule if division game is on national tv thrn other is safe.

 

so since Bills-Jetsxwas Monday night, next weeks game couldn’t get moved to national TV. The piece I’m unsure on is if the game could have moved to FOX.

 

Green bay- minnesota was on CBS earlier this year. Does that mean next weeks rematch is automatically protected for FOX without term needing to use a protection.

[chongli]

17 minutes ago, Buffalo03 said:

Miami and Indy, I don't think stand any chance at all. I don't even think they will be a consideration 

 

Indy just has the Giants and Jags to play. They will be favored in both. Denver, OTOH, has Cincy and KC. If they lose both, they and Indy are tied at 9-8 and Indy has the tie breaker. Indy has a good shot at making it.

8 minutes ago, mannc said:

I don’t remember the NFL ever having Saturday games on the last week of the season…

 

Yes, they've had them a number of seasons now. Started in 2021. See  Week 18's of the scheduling archives here at the bottom of the page:

 

https://506sports.com/nfl/index-m.php

Edited 5 hours ago by chongli