Week 18 Schedule Announced

[Richard Noggin]

1 minute ago, MikePJ76 said:

The only way it makes sense for Baltimore is if they are playing next Saturday also.  Then it’s normal rest especially since I think Pitt is going to lose and they will both be on the same schedule.

 

This would give them an extra day of rest when they travel to Orchard Park the following week, though, innit?

[gonzo1105]

They don't even have to play at the same time just switch the teams. Have the Steelers play first because they are chasing the Ravens. By having the Ravens play first, it no longer gives the Steelers any incentive outside of seeding to play their starters.

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

2 minutes ago, Richard Noggin said:

The criticism over the extra day of rest for the #3 seed (vs the #2 seed) is legit. But that unfortunately just isn't the focus for the Week 18 broadcast schedule/map. 

 

How is it legit? Is #3 playing #2 in the first round? It's a nothing burger. Bengals potential 7 seed, albeit small chance, having an extra day of rest is at least more of a complaint.

[ColoradoBills]

2 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

it no longer gives the Steelers any incentive outside of seeding to play their starters.

 

Would you want to play the Texans or the Ravens?

[MikePJ76]

1 minute ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

Ravens might not know if they are playing the Steelers or Chargers.

They will know at the end of the night.  That isn’t the issue though.  If Baltimore plays the sat playoff game then they would have an advantage over LA but not Pittsburgh.

 

this just flies in the face of competitive balance.  Just like the Monday night playoff game is ridiculous so is this.  
 

it’s Jerry jones nfl though so I guess tv networks decide what is important

[ExWNYer]

6 minutes ago, 4merper4mer said:

Lol so the team that needs to win to secure the 3 gets an extra day rest over the team that already cliched the 2?  Seems legit.

 

That was my thought, as well. As the #2 Seed, the Bills should have been scheduled to play on Saturday. But, as always, it's only about the league's bottom-line. 💰

[Richard Noggin]

Just now, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

 

How is it legit? Is #3 playing #2 in the first round? It's a nothing burger. Bengals potential 7 seed, albeit small chance, having an extra day of rest is at least more of a complaint.

 

More about downstream rest advantage, which is the exaggerated advantage the #1 seed gets? So the #3 seed is potentially gaining a rest advantage OVER the #2 seed in the playoffs, when that's contrary to seeding advantage.

[Big Blitz]

4 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

They don't even have to play at the same time just switch the teams. Have the Steelers play first because they are chasing the Ravens. By having the Ravens play first, it no longer gives the Steelers any incentive outside of seeding to play their starters.

 

Almost like the league rigged this schedule to give the Bengals the best possible chance.  

[SCBills]

If it’s any consolation, the worst fanbase on social media is upset because they can’t rest starters by playing second on Saturday. 

[gonzo1105]

1 minute ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

Would you want to play the Texans or the Ravens?

 

What does that have to do with what I said? The Browns are starting DTR against the Ravens. The Ravens are going to be the 3 seed. We are going to face them in the divisional unless they get upset in the first round.

[NeverOutNick]

No idea why the NFL thought people would care to tune in and watch the ravens destroy the Browns unless they wanted the MVP voters to see the Lamar show. DTR is the worst QB I’ve seen snap a ball this season. If Winston was in there it would at least be mildly entertaining to watch. If DTR is in there it’ll be 40-3 and Baltimore will be resting starters at half 

Edited December 30, 2024 by NeverOutNick

[Big Blitz]

Just now, gonzo1105 said:

 

What does that have to do with what I said? The Browns are starting DTR against the Ravens. The Ravens are going to be the 3 seed. We are going to face them in the divisional unless they get upset in the first round.

 

Chargers can absolutely beat them.  

[Doc Brown]

9 minutes ago, Richard Noggin said:

The criticism over the extra day of rest for the #3 seed (vs the #2 seed) is legit. But that unfortunately just isn't the focus for the Week 18 broadcast schedule/map. 

They could schedule the Ravens the following Saturday though and the Bills on Sunday.  Equal time rest.

[Richard Noggin]

1 minute ago, Doc Brown said:

They could schedule the Ravens the following Saturday though and the Bills on Sunday.  Equal time rest.

 

But not equal rest for the following week, when the Ravens travel to Orchard Park with an extra day to recoup. 

 

(I understand this is not what the week 18 TBD broadcast schedule makers are focused on. But it IS a disadvantage that technically should not exist for the higher seed.)

Edited December 30, 2024 by Richard Noggin

[ColoradoBills]

3 minutes ago, Big Blitz said:

 

Chargers can absolutely beat them.  

 

....and I'm also saying the Steelers won't want to rest their starters because of their seeding chances.

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

2 minutes ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

More about downstream rest advantage, which is the exaggerated advantage the #1 seed gets? So the #3 seed is potentially gaining a rest advantage OVER the #2 seed in the playoffs, when that's contrary to seeding advantage.

 

Way too early to predict any of that though. For all we know in the WC Baltimore could be playing Sunday Night and Bills on Saturday. And then the Divisional could be the following week on Saturday. Which would you rather have? One extra days rest for your WC opponent or one extra days rest against your divisional opponent? 

[4merper4mer]

3 minutes ago, ExWNYer said:

 

That was my thought, as well. As the #2 Seed, the Bills should have been scheduled to play on Saturday. But, as always, it's only about the league's bottom-line. 💰

Bills and Eagles.  It should have been easy.  Even when you take ratings into account…..either Bills or Eagles meaningless game pulls more eyes than the Ravens playing the UNWATCHABLE Browns.  Yes the Giants and Pats are bad but good gracious the Browns.  Garrett on his own isn’t enough.

[BLeonard]

15 minutes ago, Richard Noggin said:

 

This would give them an extra day of rest when they travel to Orchard Park the following week, though, innit?

Not necessarily.

 

They could schedule the Bills WC game on Saturday, Jan 11, with the Ravens game on Sunday, Jan 12

[Richard Noggin]

Just now, BLeonard said:

Not necessarily.

 

They could schedule the Bills WC game on Saturday, Jan 11, with the Ravens game on Sunday, Jan 12

 

But then the Bills play on a short week for the WC round, of course. After securing the 2nd best seed in the AFC. And the Ravens get an extra day of rest for their 3rd seeded WC game. It's a disadvantage for the Bills no matter what, I guess. (Really not super invested in this line of argument, other than the fact that it's "technically/pedantically correct.)

[Big Blitz]

9 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

....and I'm also saying the Steelers won't want to rest their starters because of their seeding chances.

 

Absolutely.  They will be preparing all week knowing Baltimore is going to win and that this is about the 5 seed and a reeling Houston team vs another trip to Baltimore.  

 

 

Dolphins are going to beat the Jets and then Denver loses to KC I’m not sure I’ve entertained this scenario at all yet.