Projecting the Week 18 Flex games

Week 18 will have 3 flex games to primetime:

1 on Sunday Night
2 on Saturday (ESPN/ABC doubleheader)

That means finding three games that will be of interest but can be played by themselves and doesn't need to be played simultaneously with other games.

Right now, SNF seems like a slam dunk: Vikings at Lions. This probably depends upon the Vikings beating the Packers next week, otherwise the Lions could wrap up the division (and homefield advantage) next week itself.

So what games can go to Saturday?

Seahawks at Rams seems like a solid contender. The Rams however could clinch the division next week, but as long as that doesn't happen, this one would be a great game for Saturday. It actually could end up not clinching the division if the strength of victory tiebreak is not settled, so playing it ahead of the rest of the games could give it more importance. Depending on the results next week, this could end up as SNF if the North gets clinched next week.

The second game to be played on Saturday though could be tricky. They might opt for a "meaningless game featuring a playoff team", where only seeding could be at stake. Options here could be Bills at Patriots, Texans at Titans, Chargers at Raiders, possibly Commanders at Cowboys or Giants at Eagles, if the Eagles clinch the division next week (and Washington get their wild card spot secured to move their game). There's a chance for one of the NFC South games if either the Bucs or the Falcons can clinch the division next week, but if that stays relevant they'll want simultaneous kickoffs there, just like with the AFC North, and the Broncos/Colts/Dolphins/Bengals at the same time for the Wild Card race too if the Bengals can win next week.

My hunch: one of the Saturday games will be a "meh" contest without much at stake, but we'll get two good primetime flexes from what's left.