NFL announces major schedule changes for Week 18 including prime time showdown with huge playoff implications
The NFL saved the best for last by confirming the schedule for the last week of the regular season.
On Sunday Night Football, NBC will air a major matchup that will have an impact on the whole playoffs.
At 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings will play the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
And the NFC North division championship will be guaranteed to the victor of that matchup.
In addition, the winner of the NFC North will receive the top seed in the playoffs.
They will ensure home-field advantage through the Super Bowl and a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs.
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Additionally, the loser will have to settle for the fifth seed.
On Wild Card Weekend, they would then have to go to a division champion.
Additionally, two games in Week 18 were rescheduled for Saturday, January 4.
All of the AFC North teams will play in that doubleheader, which will be broadcast live on ESPN and ABC.
At 4:30 p.m. ET, the Baltimore Ravens take on the Cleveland Browns in an attempt to win the division.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be prepared to attack them if they lose.
On Saturday, Pittsburgh plays the Cincinnati Bengals at 8 p.m. ET.
In order to maintain their remote chance of securing the last AFC Wild Card spot, the Bengals also need to win.
For Week 18, Thursday Night Football is not available on Amazon Prime.
Additionally, Sunday’s schedule includes eight games at 1 pm ET and five more at 4.25 pm ET.
During those two windows, there will be a doubleheader of action on both CBS and Fox.
A victory over the Kansas City Chiefs at 4:25 p.m. ET would guarantee the Denver Broncos a postseason berth.
The Chiefs, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes, are probably going to rest their starters.
The NFC South division title chase is the main event of the 1 pm ET hour.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the New Orleans Saints, while the Atlanta Falcons play the Carolina Panthers.
The team that loses the division title will also be out of the running for the playoffs because Tampa Bay is 9-7 and Atlanta is 8-8.
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