PIT now expected to sit multiple starters, including Roethlisberger and Bell. I guess they don't believe the Jets can win and want to give the Browns a shot at avoiding 0-16.
It would be a mistake if they did that. They already have the bye, if they sit their starters that would mean a 2 week bye.
I guess I understand that decision, but it still seems a little strange to me. Imagine if the Jets and Pats are tied at halftime - would they suddenly bring the starters out? Imagine if the Pats lose, the Steelers lose because of this, and then lose the AFC Championship game in Foxboro? That could be enough to get the person responsible fired.
I think it's ridiculous. I would play my starters for the first half and then see where things stood. If the Jets were getting blown out, I'd rest them for the second half. Oh, and the NFL going without SNF two weeks in a row is just stupid. This week's excuse is "competitive balance" so teams won't know ahead of time. Seattle is playing later than their competition for the wild card. East Coast games vs. West Coast. So they will know ahead of time anyway.
Both AFC WC spots are still up for grabs. All the games start at 4:25. Ravens/Bengals, Jaguars/Titans, Bills/Dolphins, and Chargers/Raiders. From what I understand the Ravens and Titans win then they are in with the Bills and Chargers needing to win and get some help. Should be a fun/nervous 3 hours or so for those fan bases with something on the line.
Oops. I'm not sure if they changed the time, but when I looked a few days ago, Carolina/Atlanta was listed as 1 PM EST.
Yeah, I was right. It was listed for 1 PM, but they changed it. http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/nfl-changes-panthers-falcons-kickoff-time/502228655 CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The NFL released the finalized version of the Dec. 31, Week 17 schedule Sunday night. With the schedule change, the Carolina Panthers will face the Atlanta Falcons at 4:25 p.m. ET, as opposed to the original 1 p.m. ET kickoff. The NFL also moved the Cincinnati-Baltimore, Buffalo-Miami, New Orleans-Tampa Bay and Jacksonville-Tennessee games from 1 p.m. ET to 4:25 p.m. ET.
That Saturday night Xmas Eve game kinda was their SNF for the week, but I get what you're saying. There were no "safe" flexes; every single game in wk17 could be rendered meaningless by the outcomes of the day games, and they didn't want to risk a stinker with two teams resting starters, turning their marquee season finale into the equivalent of the 4th preseason game. My cynical side says fuck whatever nonsense they're spewing about 'competitive balance' and 'fairness', it's all about ratings and $$$ (though I gotta believe even a shitty game wouldve been better for NBC than whatever they'll show in its place).
Browns news: https://sports.yahoo.com/obituary-mans-illness-exacerbated-condition-browns-160117576.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...e-jackson-to-jump-into-lake-erie-he-promised/
Really sad about the Eagles - they had such an amazing season going and now it's all over. Hard to see Foles leading them to even one win in the playoffs. I feel so badly for my Philly-area family. Edit: I see that Foles didn't play after the first quarter today, so I guess the Eagles aren't necessarily quite as screwed as I thought. Still a real shame that Wentz got hurt.
How's this for a hysterically funny scenario: Giants win and Colts lose, so Indy gets the #2 pick. Giants fans rejoice because of their hero Eli's magnificence. Cleveland picks Darnold, Colts trade their pick to the Jets, who take Rosen. Giants fans suddenly realize they've blown their chance for a successor to their hero.
Patriots benched Gronkowski at halftime or something. I don't think he's very happy about it. http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/..._deserves_all_pro_nod_to_trigger_2m_incentive
Hopefully his despicably dirty play will cost him enough votes to result in him not getting All-Pro and getting the $2 million bonus.
A pass right through the hands on 4th down for Coleman and it looks like Cleveland will complete the 0-16 season.
Vikings lock up the #2 seed. With Wentz out they're the favorites to get to the Super Bowl - which is of course being played in their home stadium. That might at least make it a little tougher on the Patriots.
Only #1 seed that has ever been shut out in the last game of the season was 2008 Titans, who then immediately lost in the divisional round. Just another bad thing for Eagles fans to chew on.
