NFL Television Schedule: Week 18 Sunday Night Football Possibilities
The Week 18 Nfl Television Schedule hinges on the outcomes of several key games, making the decision for Sunday Night Football a complex one. A primary contender for the coveted Sunday night slot is the Green Bay Packers versus the Detroit Lions.
One scenario involves the Buffalo Bills defeating the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. This outcome sets up a crucial matchup between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills, where the Patriots need a win to secure a playoff berth and the Bills aim to clinch the #1 seed. However, this scenario presents a risk for NBC. If the Kansas City Chiefs lose to the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday, and the Bills win on Monday, Buffalo would already have the #1 seed secured. This could lead to both the Bills and Patriots resting key players on Sunday, diminishing the game’s appeal for a primetime audience. Similarly, if the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, and the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers lose earlier games, the Patriots would secure the #7 seed and might also rest players.
Another potential scenario involves the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals battling for the AFC North title, again contingent on a Bills victory on Monday night. While this game holds significant weight, with the winner hosting a playoff game, a potential downside exists. These two teams could potentially face each other the following week in the Wild Card round. This raises the question of whether coaches might prioritize player health over a Week 18 victory, potentially leading to a less competitive game if the score becomes lopsided.
If the Bengals win on Monday Night Football, the AFC playoff picture would likely be settled before primetime, further complicating the Sunday Night Football decision. The remaining games would likely be less impactful for playoff seeding.
Even if the Seattle Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams, eliminating the Lions from playoff contention, the Packers-Lions game remains a strong contender for Sunday Night Football. The Packers have a large national following and a quarterback who often draws significant attention. The Lions, regardless of their playoff status, are expected to play hard, potentially creating an exciting upset scenario and a compelling narrative for the final game of the regular season. This matchup offers a compelling storyline: a chance for the Packers to make the playoffs, and a potential upset victory for the Lions.
While the Titans-Jaguars game holds playoff implications, scheduling it on Saturday night provides the winner with an extra day of rest and preparation for their playoff opponent. This advantage arguably undermines the competitive balance of the playoffs. A Dallas Cowboys or Pittsburgh Steelers game might have been a more suitable choice for the Saturday night slot, leading into Sunday’s crucial matchups.
