Which game(s) do you think get flexed to Saturday and Sunday Night for week 18?

[TrentEdwardsCheckDownOn4th]

I believe 2 games get flexed to Saturday , with the penultimate game played on Sunday Night.

 

Lions vs. Vikings seems like a slam dunk for Sunday night. But what happens if the Vikings lose to the Packers and the Lions clinch not only the division but the #1 seed.

 

There's really nothing else that appealing:

 

-chiefs back ups vs. Denver on Sunday night ? Yuck...

 

- The NFC south may still be up for grabs but the Bucs and Falcons don't play each other, so you'd potentially beshowcasing a meaningless game.

 

 

The last time the NFL didn't have a Sunday night game was in 2017 when the bills broke their playoff less streak. But that was New Years eve so it's understandable the NFL didn't want a night game.

 

 

 

[turbo044]

easy answer - KC@Denver.  Even if KC is playing backups, Denver will need the win to make the playoffs

[TrentEdwardsCheckDownOn4th]

Just now, turbo044 said:

easy answer - KC@Denver.  Even if KC is playing backups, Denver will need the win to make the playoffs

But then you essentially give kansas city the ability to pick and choose who makes the playoffs. If they see Cincinnati waiting in the wings they may intentionally let Denver win. 

[stinky finger]

1 minute ago, turbo044 said:

easy answer - KC@Denver.  Even if KC is playing backups, Denver will need the win to make the playoffs

 

Makes sense 

Just now, TrentEdwardsCheckDownOn4th said:

But then you essentially give kansas city the ability to pick and choose who makes the playoffs. If they see Cincinnati waiting in the wings they may intentionally let Denver win. 

Networks can't control that

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

2 minutes ago, TrentEdwardsCheckDownOn4th said:

But then you essentially give kansas city the ability to pick and choose who makes the playoffs. If they see Cincinnati waiting in the wings they may intentionally let Denver win. 

 

They have that choice whether the game is played Sunday at 1pm or Sunday at 8pm. 

 

I agree it's Vikes vs. Lions or Chiefs vs. Broncos. 

[TrentEdwardsCheckDownOn4th]

1 minute ago, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

 

They have that choice whether the game is played Sunday at 1pm or Sunday at 8pm. 

Not really. If the game were played at 1pm they'd have the ability to decide whether Denver makes it or not but that's it. They wouldn't have the prior knowledge of knowing whether it's Denver or indy or cincy or Miami. 

 

Panthers @ Falcons could be a possibility. The falcons could need a win for the division. But then you'd have to hope the Bucs beat the Saints otherwise the falcons game would be meaningless. 

 

I agree there's no good option.  The best of which may actually be the chiefs at the broncos. But that gives the chiefs a competitive advantage and I know the NFL likes to discourage that as much as possible when scheduling the final game.

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

I really don't think NFL teams, coaches and players on game day in particular give two cents about anything other than winning the game in front of them. The tank decisions are made with inactives and pulling starters after a quarter or halftime. But those are things that were always going to happen regardless of opponent. Just as Bills will have key inactive and pull certain players early in week 18 against the Pats.

[Monty98]

It might be Philly purely to see if he sets the single season rushing record.

[Mr. WEO]

7 minutes ago, Monty98 said:

It might be Philly purely to see if he sets the single season rushing record.

 

that's not much of a draw...

[Bills!Win!]

6 hours ago, turbo044 said:

easy answer - KC@Denver.  Even if KC is playing backups, Denver will need the win to make the playoffs

Collinsworth can still talk about Mahomes. A win for everyone, except America 

[Monty98]

15 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

that's not much of a draw...

Sure, but hey, if Minnesota loses or Detroit loses then the draw isn't there either...KC is resting the starters...maybe Cincy? Doubtful. I'd rather watch the attempt at a record but even then he may only get a half or quarter with their clinch today...odds are nothing gets flexed but the Lions are the safe bet

[chongli]

6 hours ago, TrentEdwardsCheckDownOn4th said:

 

I agree there's no good option.  The best of which may actually be the chiefs at the broncos. But that gives the chiefs a competitive advantage and I know the NFL likes to discourage that as much as possible when scheduling the final game.

 

KC would have no advantage. They already are the top seed. But DEN might.

 

But...in 2022 the NFL put DET-GB on Game 271. GB had to win to make the WC and DET had nothing to play for. Seattle played in the afternoon and was furious, since they needed DET to play hard for them to get in over GB. We all know what happened. So the NFL compares about a competitive advantage, but not always! GB on the final game was too salacious for them.

Edited December 29, 2024 by chongli

[Big Turk]

Whoever is on play for wildcards in the AFC...

 

Maybe Seattle/LA Rams since that's basically a winner is in, loser goes home scenario.

 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

6 hours ago, turbo044 said:

easy answer - KC@Denver.  Even if KC is playing backups, Denver will need the win to make the playoffs

 

6 hours ago, TrentEdwardsCheckDownOn4th said:

But then you essentially give kansas city the ability to pick and choose who makes the playoffs. If they see Cincinnati waiting in the wings they may intentionally let Denver win. 

 

Agree that's not the the game to pick as then the other games potentially become meaningless.  If Vikes win today the Saturday night game would be a good choice as no other game impacted by it.  

 

Could see the Bills playing Saturday only because don't see another game where the single game alone determines anything.  So might as well put a good draw in the other Saturday game and could set that up for the following Saturday the Bills play so they get an extra day of rest out of it.  Or they pick some other game with teams that draw well, but have no playoff implications

[UKBillFan]

My predictions:

Saturday late - Chiefs at Broncos

Saturday night - Seahawks at Rams

Sunday night - Vikings at Lions

 

 NFC South games to be moved to Sunday late. AFC North games to be promoted in the early window.

 

To the earlier argument, the Chiefs can ‘choose’ to have the Broncos make the play offs whatever time they’re playing.

Edited December 30, 2024 by UKBillFan

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Eagles will get 1pm game to see if Saquon can break record

Denver KC gets a 4:25 kick. 

By then it will be known if Miami or Cinci has lost. If they both win then you get another playoff deciding game.

Has to be Lions and Vikings Sunday Night as the division and first seed in the playoffs will be up for grab.

 

[UKBillFan]

1 minute ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Eagles will get 1pm game to see if Saquon can break record

Denver KC gets a 4:25 kick. 

By then it will be known if Miami or Cinci has lost. If they both win then you get another playoff deciding game.

Has to be Lions and Vikings Sunday Night as the division and first seed in the playoffs will be up for grab.

 

If both lose it dooms the Broncos game, though admittedly I can’t see that happening.

[ColoradoBills]

14 minutes ago, UKBillFan said:

My predictions:

Saturday late - Chiefs at Broncos

Saturday night - Seahawks at Rams

Sunday night - Vikings at Lions

 

 NFC South games to be moved to Sunday late. AFC North games to be promoted in the early window.

 

To the earlier argument, the Chiefs can ‘choose’ to have the Broncos make the play offs whatever time they’re playing.

 

I think that game is Sunday afternoon.  I say that because if the Broncos win it makes the Miami/Jets and Bengals/Steelers games moot.

[NeverOutNick]

Bengals vs Steelers 

 

Dolphins vs Jets 

those are your Saturday games with the most intrigue because if Denver plays before them no one will care to watch those games if they win

[4merper4mer]

Vikes/Lions is obvious for Sunday night.

 

To me, the Bills and Eagles as 2 seeds, should get the Saturday games.