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Why wait for OT? Start with the opening kickoff. They will know the outcome of the Colts game and know that a tie gets them both into the playoffs. It's crazy and I am sure the NFL leadership will mandate they play but it is really in the best interest of both the Raiders & Chargers to agree to tie.
Can you imagine the coin toss?
The press conference would be great too.......especially when they play it out and the losing team misses the playoffs. "Coach Bisaccia why didn't you just agree with Coach Staley to play for a tie so you both get into the playoffs? Wouldn't that have been the best thing for your team?"
The absolute last thing either team would want would be to play a full OT, especially since there's a decent chance at least one of them will have a short week before a game on Saturday
That's brilliant, and I wish it could happen. It very obviously would be the best thing for both teams. But everyone would have a cow.
But see, that's the genius. They don't even have to play from the opening kickoff of the game.
An extra 10 minutes of zero contact and kneel downs is not that big of a deal....
If you live in reality, no the NFL did not make this an option. If you live in a fantasy world, then sure, it is now a possible option.
Guarantee you the NFL knew this cold happen when they decided to flex the game.....thats reality....so yeah they did put themselves in this position and “made” it happen....if they left things alone its not an issue....
Outside of your last point, which albeit slim, actually makes sense, there is zero chance that anything remotely occurs like the OP
Here's what I would love to see: Chargers are down 24-17 late; Herbert toss to Keenan Allen for a TD with 15 seconds left ...
All kidding aside, I really do think you've hit on the key point. They're obviously not going to spend three hours kneeling on every play, but if they play out the game and it's close near the end, do the teams play for the tie knowing it might require an extra 10 minutes of play?
Yeah. Like a free bye week for both teams with minimal contact. Like they’re all wearing red QB jjerseys.
Ha, I was just looking up that same Wikipedia entry. But that one was different; it was one team throwing a match for racist reasons. But deliberately tying in a way that benefits both teams isn't nearly as bad. The only problem in this case is that both teams would have to take much more deliberate action to make it happen
It’s interesting. I want to make an argument against it, but not doing so would seem like a bad choice. The optics would just be so terrible if they tried to do it though - Goodell would have to issue some Executive Order declaring a coin flip to decide in the event of a tie if he got wind of it.
A coin flip for what? Those two teams would have the 6th and 7th best record in the conference and therefore "earned" the playoff slots. Are you going to flip a coin and put the Colts or ????? in the playoffs and kick one of these two teams out? I am not sure any solution is correct. And further, if the Colts do lose it is the best interest of both the Chargers and Raiders to agree to tie. The point is to make the playoffs and give your team a chance at the Super Bowl. The only way to do that is to be in the playoffs. Agreeing to a tie gets assures you that chance. It is 100% the right thing to do in the interest of those two franchises.
How do you mean? The Raiders and Chargers agreeing to tie? I agree it is unlikely but if this scenario presents itself it is exactly what those two teams should do. Why risk not making the playoffs when you both get in if you just run out the clock from the start? The point of the season is to make the playoffs. A tie ensures you make the playoffs. There is no incentive for either team to risk losing so a tie is in their best interest.
Then their million page rule book should not allow for such a situation.
Just because there’s no rules against it, doesn’t mean it should happen. I guess if we want to get technical, there’s probably no written rules against Goodell instructing the referees to make sure they lose their playoff games.
Why shouldn't it happen? If the scenario is that a tie guarantees a playoff spot for both teams, why shouldn't those teams agree to play to a tie? It is in their best interest because the goal of the regular season is to make the playoffs. A tie ensures that will happen. It's a win-win for both teams.
The “coin flip” was a joke but meant to show that Goodell would need to stop it somehow. I mean it I know it’s good “game theory” but it just opens floodgates. I get the point though - great topic.
It’s not a win-win for the league or for the fans that like to believe the game is on the up and up
I don't think this changes anything as far as the league being on the "up and up". There is a specific reason to play to a tie. It is a mutually beneficial outcome based on how the season played out. It doesn't diminish any other games played. It is the best way for these teams to make sure they get into the playoffs (which is their goal).
In this specific scenario I am torn. I haven't really thought about it from all angles but I think in general under these circumstances it is so unique I think I might be fine with it.
Yes, I realize fantasy football is not the same thing. That said, if a team in my league let another team win in week 14 to make the playoffs and said that it was mutually beneficial because he gets in the playoffs and I get a better draft pick, I would not stand for that for one second. I think as an organization, the NFL simply cannot let teams even begin to entertain a scenario like this. To be honest, I don’t either team has even considered it.
Probably but I would bet that the word of mouth about what is happening would increase the viewership quite a bit for this unique situation (at least for some of the game). I wonder how much it would really affect the numbers.
No doubt.
Your FF isn't exactly the same thing (as you stated). This is such a unique situation.
I would guess that if there is a whiff of something like this happening then Vegas/Fan Duel/etc would take this game off the board.
I could see some viewers tuning in to watch.... for about 5 minutes until they left from boredom, and overall ratings being way down, and sponsors asking the NFL for money back.
