The NFL made sure you know how important the Rams-Cardinals game is for the season
The NFL had left five games with a TBD status for Week 17, and three of them with playoff ramifications would be on Saturday. Well, the league has made it clear how much the Los Angeles Rams-Arizona Cardinals matchup matters. Not only will it be on Saturday, but it is going to occupy the primetime […]
The NFL had left five games with a TBD status for Week 17, and three of them with playoff ramifications would be on Saturday. Well, the league has made it clear how much the Los Angeles Rams-Arizona Cardinals matchup matters.
Not only will it be on Saturday, but it is going to occupy the primetime night window, starting at 5pm PT/8pm ET.
The Saturday slate will also have Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots and Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals. While the Chargers and Broncos are still in postseason contention and will likely be AFC playoff teams, those matchups are not nearly as important.
The NFC West is the most open division in football this season, and all four teams can still win it — even though it's almost impossible for the San Francisco 49ers. The Rams are 8-6 and lead the division with a tie-breaking advantage over the Seattle Seahawks. The Arizona Cardinals are 7-7, right behind them.
Based on projections, no NFC West team will make the playoffs as a wild card, so winning the division will be decisive for them.
Flexible scheduling
The NFL has also announced that the Washington Commanders-Atlanta Falcons game was flexed to Sunday Night Football, with Cleveland Browns-Miami Dolphins moving to the afternoon window.
The Week 18 schedule will be announced on Monday or Tuesday next week.
