NFL Week 18

[Cosmo]

No cute title this week. Let's keep the conversation on Hamlin going on the other thread and continue sending positive vibes. If people want to discuss the Week 18 games, we can do it here.

Obviously, there's still some uncertainty on how the AFC seeding will play out. Will update once we learn what the final decision on the Bills-Bengals game will be.

SATURDAY
Kansas City (-7.5/52.5) at Las Vegas, 430, ESPN/ABC
Tennessee at Jacksonville (-6.5/40), 815, ESPN/ABC

SUNDAY EARLY
Tampa Bay at Atlanta (-4.5/40), FOX
Baltimore at Cincinnati (-7/42), CBS
New England at Buffalo (-7.5/42.5), CBS
Minnesota (-6/45.5) at Chicago, FOX
Houston at Indianapolis (-2.5/38), CBS
N.Y. Jets at Miami (PK/38.5), FOX
Carolina at New Orleans (-3.5/41.5), FOX
Cleveland at Pittsburgh (-3/40.5), CBS

SUNDAY LATE
Dallas (-5.5/41) at Washington, FOX
L.A. Chargers (-3/40) at Denver, CBS
N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia (-14/43), CBS
Arizona at San Francisco (-14/40), FOX
L.A. Rams at Seattle (-6.5/41.5), FOX

SUNDAY NIGHT
Detroit at Green Bay (-4.5/49), NBC

 

[Michael_ Gee]

I get why there's no line on the Bengals, but how on earth can there be one on Bills-Pats? There was talk yesterday in Buffalo the Bills might not play this one, either, depending on Hamlin's condition.

 

[Cosmo]

I thought that was strange as well. There are some real curious lines out there. Dallas only giving 5.5 against the Commanders? Very good chance it's Sam Howell at QB and the Cowboys have something to play for. Should at least be a full TD. Also strange that the Jets-Dolphins are on Fox and Giants-Eagles are on CBS. I guess with four NFC matchups in the afternoon CBS needed an East Coast game for that window. They also lose out on the Titans-Jags division title bout, so maybe that plays a part too.

 

[Batman]

Are the Giants locked into their playoff seed and planning to rest starters? That's the only way that line should be 14 points. Even if the Eagles get Jalen Hurts back, the real problem is their missing left tackle who still won't play.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

I thought that was strange as well. There are some real curious lines out there. Dallas only giving 5.5 against the Commanders? Very good chance it's Sam Howell at QB and the Cowboys have something to play for. Should at least be a full TD. Also strange that the Jets-Dolphins are on Fox and Giants-Eagles are on CBS. I guess with four NFC matchups in the afternoon CBS needed an East Coast game for that window. They also lose out on the Titans-Jags division title bout, so maybe that plays a part too.

If the league wants contenders for playoff spots and divisional titles to play at the same time, then naturally the two games will be on different networks. It's one time they want to encourage channel switching.

 

[Cosmo]

I believe that's the case with the Giants. They're the 6 seed no matter what. If Jones and Barkley play, it's coaching malpractice.

Minnesota being played in the afternoon before the 49ers game ... the Vikings can't move past San Fran for the 2 seed unless the Niners lose, so it's fair to play that game at a different time. It's not like the Niners are going to sit Purdy anyway. The more reps the better for him. I can't see the Vikings losing to the Bears as it is.

 

[Regan MacNeil]

They better ****ing not. Bears still have an outside shot at the top pick.

 

[outofplace]

They better ****ing not. Bears still have an outside shot at the top pick.

And they can still get the first pick in the second round for the Steelers! (How is Chase Claypool doing, anyway?)

 

[playthrough]

I get why there's no line on the Bengals, but how on earth can there be one on Bills-Pats? There was talk yesterday in Buffalo the Bills might not play this one, either, depending on Hamlin's condition.

Is there still a question of Lamar or Huntley for Baltimore? That could be the NL reason.

 

[outofplace]

Is there still a question of Lamar or Huntley for Baltimore? That could be the NL reason.

That would make sense, though I wouldn't have much faith in Jackson Sunday, either, after such a long layoff.

 

[DanOregon]

If you are the Bills and your choices are play this week (that one has sailed), play possibly three games in two weeks (including a playoff game), or scrub the Bengal game and let the chips fall - you let the chips fall.

 

[BTExpress]

Yeah, playing that game at this stage is definitely cure-is-worse-than-disease territory.

 

[I Should Coco]

Lots of grumbling out here about the Seahawks playing before the Detroit-Green Bay game. If Seattle wins, the Lions really have nothing to play for on Sunday night, or so the argument goes.

Of course, Seattle struggled mightily to beat the Rams a month ago with most of their best players out of the lineup … so all of this hand-wringing might not matter.

 

[WolvEagle]

Sure, if the Rams win, the Lions have a shot at the playoffs if they beat the Packers. But, in that scenario, the Lions' first-round pick from the Rams they got in the Stafford-Goff trade slips.

Folks in metro Detroit are really excited that the Lions actually have a shot at the playoffs - a rarity in these parts.

 

[Songbird]

At this point of the year there is no logistical solution, and while it would never happen ... imagine if the Bills just said **** it, we'll take the loss and let's move on, we don't give a **** about the 1 seed or 2 seed, we'll play anywhere we need to ****ing play.

First and foremost they'd become America's Darlings, maybe the new America's Team.

 

[Regan MacNeil]

Fields is sitting Sunday. Bears locked into at least the No. 2 pick if they lose.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

At this point of the year there is no logistical solution, and while it would never happen ... imagine if the Bills just said **** it, we'll take the loss and let's move on, we don't give a **** about the 1 seed or 2 seed, we'll play anywhere we need to ****ing play.

First and foremost they'd become America's Darlings, maybe the new America's Team.

As I posted on the Week 17 thread, the Bills and Patriots both canceled their scheduled media availabilities today, leading me to believe the Bills players have yet to decide if they're going to play Sunday or not.

 

[outofplace]

Fields is sitting Sunday. Bears locked into at least the No. 2 pick if they lose.

The immortal Nathan Peterman is starting for the Bears! Peterman played his college ball for Pitt, which shares a home stadium and practice facilities with the Steelers. The Steelers own the Bears' second-round pick, which could be the top pick in the round if the Bears lose. It's all coming together!

 

[Regan MacNeil]

Maybe the Steelers can use it on another underachieving headcase receiver!

 

[DanOregon]

Nathan Peterman will likely be the 65th and last starting QB in this record breaking year - a fitting note on his career. How many are playing in the XFL in a few months?