NFL Schedule Quirk Could Have Major Playoff Implications

The National Football League is ramping up to its final week of regular-season games. For the most part, the playoff scenarios have been decided. However, there are still plenty of reasons for teams to go out and compete this Sunday.

In its defense, the NFL has done a pretty good job in making sure that the final games of the season are games that matter. For example, the New Orleans Saints will play their hated division rival the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints need to win to get into the playoffs. The Falcons can only spoil the Saints party.

In anticipation of this, the NFL has moved several of the games, such as the New Orleans versus Atlanta game to be played at the same time the San Francisco versus Los Angeles game is being played. Just to complete the playoff scenario for the Saints, they need to win over Atlanta and San Francisco needs to lose versus the Rams.

But as strange as this seems this isn't the scheduling quirk that could set the NFL on its ear come Sunday night.

Most of you who are football fans are aware the Jacksonville Jaguars have had an awful season. They will earn the first pick in the NFL Draft this spring if they can only manage to lose to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Colts are 15 point favorites according to Las Vegas oddsmakers. And the Colts need to win to get in.

Now, if the world spins the way it should and Indy downs Jacksonville then the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers will take on a playoff atmosphere. As the winner of the Las Vegas/Los Angeles game would earn a playoff spot.

The potential oddity in the NFL schedule creeps in if Jacksonville can beat Indianapolis. Should that happen then both the Raiders and the Chargers could both make the playoffs if they do one very odd thing. They finish their game in a tie score. Don't laugh, it's already happened once this season.

To make things even stranger, a tie between the Raiders and Chargers would put Indy out in the cold.

If you love a good NFL conspiracy theory then follow along. The Colts and Jaguars will meet a Noon Louisiana time on Sunday. The Raiders and Chargers play the Sunday night game so they'll know the outcome of the Colts/Jags contest. If the Jags win then all the Raiders and Chargers need to do is come out and kneel down on every play.

So, needless to say, I am cheering for Jacksonville to win on Sunday. I am also hoping that the Raiders and Chargers who have both had their issues with the NFL will send the 2020 season off with a whimper and a condescending air. I also want to hear how Al Michaels and Chris Collinsworth would handle a game where "nobody did nothing on purpose" just to spite the NFL.

No, you're right. I am less of a sports fan and more of a chaos fan, especially when it comes to exposing the hypocrisy that is professional football.

I think I'll grab a bag of Beaver Nuggets and see how this all unfolds. I just hope the Saints beat Atlanta.