Week 18 Flex Options Heading Into Week 17

With two weeks left, let's see what could be the game that gets flexed into the final game of the season -- the Sunday Night Football game.

NO WAY AT ALL

Let's go ahead and move these games to the side:

Saints at Falcons
Browns at Bengals
Chiefs at Raiders
Cowboys at Giants
Commanders at Eagles

Of these teams, only the Eagles are the only team making the playoffs and they already have the NFC East wrapped up. Everyone else is waiting for the draft.

SLIM CHANCE, IF AT ALL

Jets at Bills
Cardinals at Rams
Dolphins at Patriots
Titans at Jaguars

These four games need quite a bit of things to happen for them to have the kind of importance to make it a stand alone game. Bills, Rams, Patriots and Jaguars likely will have playoff spots wrapped up. It will be a matter of seed, and even then will rely on a game played elsewhere to make it interesting. So let's ditch this bunch. 

MMMMMMAYBE

Packers at Vikings
Colts at Texans

The Packers and Texans may need this game to get into the playoffs, and the Colts could find a way to make that game with Houston a very meaningful one. Packers are almost a lock to get in and the Colts barely are holding on to a chance. By the time we get to Week 18, Green Bay is in while Indy is out. Let's move on. 

HERE ARE THE REAL CONTENDERS

Lions at Bears: Right now, the Lions need a miracle to get in while the Bears could have the NFC North wrapped up. There is a chance Chicago is fighting for a top overall seed in the NFC. Still, that's not really an interesting reason to have this game last. 

Seahawks at Niners: When you include the Rams, the NFC West is a fascinating race. Seattle currently has the top seed in the NFC as they head to Charlotte to face the Panthers. The Niners have some work to do if they want to win the NFC West, but they've already clinched a spot in the postseason. If a lot of things break a certain way, this could be a huge game. 

Chargers at Broncos: Denver has already clinched a playoff spot and have a one game lead over the Chargers in the AFC West race. By the time we get here, Denver may have the top seed wrapped up and could sit their starters. The Chargers likely would have a spot clinched as well, so this would be more about seeding. Still, if both win or lose next week then this could be a game similar to the Lions-Vikings affair from last season. LA owns the tiebreaker right now, so as long as there is a one-game or less lead in the standings, this will be a big game. 

Ravens at Steelers: Sunday's results made this less likely to be an option. Pittsburgh went into Detroit and stunned the Lions while Baltimore blew a late lead to lose to New England. Right now the Steelers have a two game lead in the standings with two games remaining. The Steelers head to Cleveland to take on the rival Browns while the Ravens head to Green Bay to play a Packers team who have suffered two straight tough losses. If the Ravens win and the Steelers lose than their Week 18 showdown will be for the AFC North and it would bump the NFC South title out from the top spot. 

Panthers at Buccaneers: Carolina's win over Tampa this past week gives them a one game lead in the NFC South. Carolina has Seattle this week while Tampa Bay goes to the slumping Dolphins. It is extremely likely that this Week 18 showdown will be for the NFC South title and a trip to the playoffs. The only way it wouldn't is if the Panthers beat the Seahawks and the Buccaneers lose to the Dolphins. I doubt both will happen, so this is in the lead for the final game.