As another thrilling NFL season kicks off with 272 regular-season games, football fanatics worldwide are eagerly anticipating the kickoff of Game No. 1 on Thursday night. However, for me, it’s time for my annual Labor Day Weekend tradition, as I fast forward to #Game272.
Welcome back to the ninth edition of my Week 18 Sunday Night Football Flex Power Rankings – a tradition that you simply can’t find anywhere else. Why do I do this, you ask? Who even remembers at this point. Nevertheless, I will once again gaze into my crystal ball, consult the tarot deck, and study the omens in the skies to predict which two teams will be flexed into prime time, reaching The Crown Jewel of the Regular Season™.
Reflecting on last year, I decided to tweak my approach after some self-scouting. With the addition of two Saturday games to Week 18, the dynamic shifted, leading to more games with wild-card implications appearing on Sunday nights, while “less appealing” division title games played out on Saturdays.
And what a result it brought! A thrilling AFC East championship showdown between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins in the season’s final game. This matchup, which was ranked No. 3 on my preseason list, turned out to be my most successful prediction thus far. Yet, despite the accuracy, I couldn’t help but feel unfulfilled. While I carefully deliberate over each selection from one through 16, I didn’t embark on this absurd journey to bask in the glory of a third-place prediction. I’m committed to this until I finally get it right one of these years.
As always, my rankings reflect not my personal preferences, but rather what I believe is most probable. I consider various factors such as team quality, television markets, and national appeal, as the league weighs playoff implications and TV ratings when making these decisions.
So as we embark on another thrilling NFL season, buckle up for an exciting ride filled with surprises, upsets, and unforgettable moments under the lights of Sunday Night Football.
