NFL Playoff Positioning Makes For Schedule Changes That We Approve

The NFL has announced its schedule for the first-ever Week 18 of the regular season.

Week 18 begins with a Saturday doubleheader starting at 4:15 p.m. ET as the Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) visit the Denver Broncos (7-9) on ESPN/ABC, followed by the Dallas Cowboys (11-5) at the Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) at 8:15 p.m. ET, also airing on ESPN/ABC.

Revised and reworked Saturday and Sunday night NFL schedule for Week 18: pic.twitter.com/0UjfK5qe3v

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 3, 2022

After falling to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, the Chiefs currently stand as the No. 2 seed in the AFC and still have a chance to seize home-field advantage in the AFC. The Broncos have already been eliminated from the postseason race. USA Today reports that Denver has the second-longest active playoff drought in the NFL at six seasons, trailing only the New York Jets.

The Cowboys already clinched the NFC East, but are looking to improve their seeding for Wild Card weekend after Sunday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals sent them from the No. 2 slot to No. 4. The Eagles, on the other hand, secured a spot in the postseason on Sunday, thanks to their win over the Washington Football Team, and victories by the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, USA Today reports.

The Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) and Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) will close out the regular season on “Sunday Night Football” at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC — the matchup will be a win-and-in game for one of the two remaining playoff slots in the AFC.

The league said the final Week 18 schedule, with networks included, will be announced Monday.

Follow Meg Turner on Twitter @Megnturner_ and Instagram @Megnturner.