# NFL 2023: Week 17 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [December 27, 2023, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234 "2023-12-27T15:23:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2024, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/161 "2024-01-02T20:59:13Z")
7 teams per conference now, with only the #1 seed getting a bye. So, Baltimore’s opponent is determined by whoever survives the first round ETA: oh, just re-read it. Yeah, there’s the off chance Cleveland wins and there’s a lower seed who also wins ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2024, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/162 "2024-01-02T22:03:58Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Wouldn’t it depend on who else won? If the 6th or 7th wildcard seed wins, wouldn’t Baltimore get them? (first seed vs last) Duh, yes, of course. And @Great_Antibob is also correct. ---
**Author:** ![LoneRhino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lonerhino/32/1311_2.png) [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/163 "2024-01-03T01:09:17Z")
Here’s Mike Florio and Chris Simms breaking down the play. ?[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4oQB4OCYzQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4oQB4OCYzQ) TLDW: The Lions tried to be cute hoping to confuse Dallas as to which lineman was eligible. They succeeded, but they also succeeded in confusing the ref. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/164 "2024-01-03T01:11:43Z")
An amusing scenario is Pittsburgh sneaking in by beating a Ravens squad resting its starters this week, winning its first round game and then returning to Baltimore _after having already defeated the Ravens twice in the regular season_. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/165 "2024-01-03T01:11:49Z")
> [@LoneRhino](#): > > TLDW: The Lions tried to be cute hoping to confuse Dallas as to which lineman was eligible. They succeeded, but they also succeeded in confusing the ref. Yeah, I’ve come around to that now, especially given that Dan Campbell admitted that it’s what they were trying to do. I mean, subterfuge is part of the sport, so I’m not going to call them cheaters that got what they deserved or anything. But when that subterfuge includes the way you interact with the officials, you can’t gripe too much if the officials get confused. (Though I still think the referee was an idiot anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![LoneRhino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lonerhino/32/1311_2.png) [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/166 "2024-01-03T01:12:26Z")
Now that Daniel Snyder is out of the league there’s an opening for the worst owner title that Snyder held on to for 2 decades. David Tepper is definitely in contention. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/167 "2024-01-03T01:35:36Z")
Parlaying Harbaughs to each win their respective national championship now at +516 at DraftKings. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/168 "2024-01-03T02:22:57Z")
> [@LoneRhino](#): > > Now that Daniel Snyder is out of the league there’s an opening for the worst owner title that Snyder held on to for 2 decades. David Tepper is definitely in contention. I agree, but the field is too crowded to identify a front runner. What’s that old saying? “On any given Sunday.” ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/169 "2024-01-03T16:12:47Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Every change has it’s advantages and disadvantages. In this case, the defense would have to prepare for any lineman to step back from the Line of Scrimmage and become eligable. This would give the offense a pretty big advantage, since the defense has to cover way more people than right now, just in case they become receivers. I thought the eligibility declaration was more for the officials than the defense. They have to keep track of who’s allowed to catch the ball. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/170 "2024-01-03T16:15:30Z")
If a lineman is eligable, the defense is going to want to cover them, no? They’re not going to waste time covering a lineman who isn’t eligable to catch the ball. That’s why the refs notify the defense so they can decide who to cover. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/171 "2024-01-03T16:21:08Z")
Would it be an easier solution to have jerseys available like 00 that a player could change into when eligible? ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/172 "2024-01-03T16:24:13Z")
One thing I’ve learned from this eligible/ineligible fiasco that I didn’t know before: If a lineman reports as eligible, he remains eligible as long as he’s in the game. He reverts back to ineligible if he sits for one or more downs, or a timeout is called by either team, or the two-minute warning occurs, or a replay review occurs, or the end of the quarter. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/173 "2024-01-03T17:42:04Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Would it be an easier solution to have jerseys available like 00 that a player could change into when eligible? I don’t know that a player will often have time between plays to run off the field to change a jersey. Especially a big lineman. There should be something easier, like slipping on a neon armband that both the defense and officials can watch. Quick and simple. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/174 "2024-01-03T18:17:11Z")
And they have to confirm it before every down. Oh, and even the NFL rulebook is frustratingly vague on all of it. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/175 "2024-01-03T18:21:13Z")
Is there a way to report correctly? Do you have to provide you’re number like, “#68 reporting as eligible.” or just say, “I’m reporting.” and it is up to the referee to look at your number. And something about hand gestures to report by rubbing your jersey? ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/176 "2024-01-03T18:30:20Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > > > Would it be an easier solution to have jerseys available like 00 that a player could change into when eligible? > > I don’t know that a player will often have time between plays to run off the field to change a jersey. Especially a big lineman. There should be something easier, like slipping on a neon armband that both the defense and officials can watch. Quick and simple. Upthread I recced a big removable velcro red dot on the front of the unis. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/177 "2024-01-03T18:31:14Z")
Vague as hell. The rulebook just says you have to clearly communicate it, which has generally been considered as telling the official “I’m reporting as eligible” or “I’m eligible”. Most linemen would also make the hand gesture, palm towards the chest, moving from top to bottom, with either one hand or both, just to make it CLEAR clear. You’re not going to hide it from a defense paying attention, because it’s announced to the defense and rest of the officiating crew (and generally over the PA system as well). The NFL “clarified” in a ridiculous video the other day that both of those things now need to happen to successfully report as eligible. Because actual accountability for terrible officiating is bad, and the NFL Referees Association is less spineless than the NFLPA. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/178 "2024-01-03T18:34:14Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Upthread I recced a big removable velcro red dot on the front of the unis. I thought about Velcro too but too easy to come off. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2024, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/179 "2024-01-03T21:43:36Z")
Week 18 thread [here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-18-the-final-chapter/995563). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234.md?page=8)