The NFL announced its updated Week 18 schedule, and for some fans it will create good travel opportunities.
Two of this week’s games have been moved to Saturday:
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens, 4:30pm ET
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:00pm ET
These games will determine the winner of the AFC North, with Baltimore controlling its own destiny: if they beat the Browns, they will win the division. If the Ravens lose and the Steelers win, the Steelers will win the division.
But moving these games to Saturday certainly opens up some easier travel opportunities for regional fans.
Cleveland to Baltimore is a manageable 375 miles, and a quick look at hotels shows multiple Marriott and Hyatt properties pricing out at less than $135 using an AAA code, with the SpringHill Suites showing up at $125 with all fees included. Currently, the get-in price for a pair of tickets to the game on StubHub is $72 each, and the lowest-priced pair of tickets in the 100-level is just $128 each.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati to Pittsburgh is under 300 miles, and a quick check of hotels shows the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center and the Homewood Suites both pricing out at less than $200 using an AAA discount code. The get-in price is currently $92 per ticket on Stubhub, with the cheapest 100-level pair going for $169 each.
THE REST OF THE GAMES
All other games for Week 18 will take place on Sunday (since there is never a Monday night game in the final week of the season). All of the games in the Eastern and Central time zones will take place early (1pm ET / 12pm CT), except the Jets vs Dolphins game, which was, for some odd reason, moved to 4:25pm. All of the games in the Mountain and Pacific time zones were put into the later time slot of 2:25 MT / 1:25 PT.
The Sunday night regular-season finale will be Minnesota at Detroit, which will determine the winner of the NFC North, as well as the NFC’s #1 seed. The get-in price on StubHub is a whopping $450 right now, with the cheapest pair of lower-level seats coming in at $600 each.
LOOKING AT THE PLAYOFFS
All we know for certain right now in the AFC is that the Bills and Texans will host a Wild Card game in their home stadiums, and that the Chiefs will have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and a first-round bye. We also know that the winner of the AFC North (Pittsburgh or Baltimore) will host a Wild Card game at home as well. The Chargers are already in as a Wild Card, but their destination is still TBD, as is the destination for whichever team loses the Steelers-Ravens game, since that team will also be a Wild Card qualifier.
In the rest of the AFC Wild Card chase, the Broncos control their own destiny for the final spot: if they beat the Chiefs this weekend at Mile High, they’ll clinch. If they lose, Miami can win with a victory over the Jets. If both the Broncos and Dolphins lose, the Bengals could clinch with a victory over the Steelers.
On the NFC side it’s almost the same thing: six of the seven playoff spots have been clinched, but the final seedings are still unknown.
The NFC South title is on the line this weekend, with the Bucs able to take the division if they beat the Saints in Tampa. If they lose, Atlanta can win the division if they beat the Panthers in Atlanta. If both teams lose, Tampa gets the crown.
Meanwhile, the top seed in the NFC is still up for grabs, and will be determined by the winner of the Lions vs. Vikings game. The Eagles and the Rams are both division winners and will host Wild Card games, along with the winner of the NFC South. Washington and Green Bay are already into the playoffs as Wild Card teams, and will take to the road for their opening playoff matchup.
