# NFL 2024-25: Week 16 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [December 17, 2024, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755 "2024-12-17T15:54:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/61 "2024-12-20T16:18:18Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > The kicker gets to run up to the fair catch kick like a kickoff, right? As opposed to a regular field goal where you only get to take like three steps. Last night it looked like the kicker did his normal setup for a field goal, he didn’t try to get any extra steps. So given the 57 yard range he decided on the accuracy of the 3 step run up instead of trying get extra range with a longer run. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2024, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/62 "2024-12-20T16:18:28Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Now I’m starting to question my memory of kickoffs going through the uprights. I swear I remember that happening infrequently but not rarely. I am quite sure I’ve seen happen a time or two this year. Before he got hurt, Harrison Butker of the Chiefs did this in a game this season when he was kicking with the wind. At least, that’s what my memory tells me. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/63 "2024-12-20T16:20:33Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Now I’m starting to question my memory of kickoffs going through the uprights. I swear I remember that happening infrequently but not rarely. Anyone else remember that or am I just misremembering shortened kickoffs from penalties? I have a hazy childhood recollection, from the mid-late '70s, of the Packers having a defensive lineman do kickoffs when their kicker was dealing with an injury, and the lineman putting one through the uprights, but I can’t vouch for the accuracy of it. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2024, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/64 "2024-12-20T16:20:53Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > > [@Railer13](#): > > > > The Bills served notice that they are now the undisputed Super Bowl favorites by winning at Detroit 48-42. > > No, they have only shown that they can make a lot of serious noise during the regular season. They have yet to prove that they can duplicate that success in the playoffs. The Bills are 0-3 against KC and Mahomes in the playoffs. I expect nothing different this year. The oddsmakers would beg to disagree with you. As I noted upthread, the Bills are indeed favored to win the SB. As in the stock market, past performance does not guarantee future results. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/65 "2024-12-20T16:28:57Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > The oddsmakers would beg to disagree with you. As I noted upthread, the Bills are indeed favored to win the SB. I should live in Missouri because my philosophy at this point is, “Show me.” I’m pulling for the Bills to make the Super Bowl, but the fact is that the Walrus and Mahomes know how to win and finish, but Josh Allen and the Bills have yet to do so. If they screw the pooch again this year, I’ll have to say they are the Dak Prescott and Dallas Cowboys of the AFC. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2024, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/66 "2024-12-20T16:31:07Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > the fact is that the Walrus and Mahomes know how to win and finish, but Josh Allen and the Bills have yet to do so. This is certainly true. It’s also true that the Bills are favored to win the Super Bowl. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2024, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/67 "2024-12-20T17:57:36Z")
One of my favourite random NFL plays was Matt Prater hitting the crossbar with a kickoff, and having the ball roll to exactly the 20 yard line to set up for the next play 😄 [https://youtu.be/pS64Bt6usxM?si=GCvnM1kLsMZ3h6Ws](https://youtu.be/pS64Bt6usxM?si=GCvnM1kLsMZ3h6Ws) ---
**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:** [December 20, 2024, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/68 "2024-12-20T18:36:07Z")
The Broncos could have clinched a playoff spot last night with a win over the Chargers. Instead, they fell to 9-6 with 2 games to play, tied with the Chargers. The Colts, Dolphins, and Bengals are all 6-8 and still alive in the hunt. The Bengals play the Browns this week, Denver next week, and then close with a game against the Steelers. IF the Bengals win all 3 games (a big if), then Denver would need to win their last game against the Chiefs to get into the playoffs. The Chiefs may or may not need to win that game to get the #1 seed. This assumes that the Chargers will win one of their last two games. Chargers play the Patriots and Raiders. OTOH, if the Bengals, Colts, and Fins all lose this weekend, then the AFC playoff teams will be set. Here’s a handy link to the Playoff Machine by ESPN. > **[ESPN.com's 2024 NFL Playoff Machine - Playoff Matchup Predictor](https://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs/machine)** > > Use the NFL Playoff Machine from ESPN to predict the NFL Playoff matchups by generating the various matchup scenarios based on your selections. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2024, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/69 "2024-12-20T22:39:44Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > the Walrus and Mahomes I would watch that, assuming it’s either a sitcom, buddy cop film, or wacky scifi space opera. To change the subject back to a previous discussion in this thread, for kickoffs going through the uprights, I see it often enough that it isn’t even remarkable anymore. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2024, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/70 "2024-12-20T23:28:53Z")
> [@borschevsky](#): > > One of my favourite random NFL plays was Matt Prater hitting the crossbar with a kickoff, and having the ball roll to exactly the 20 yard line to set up for the next play 😄 > > [https://youtu.be/pS64Bt6usxM?si=GCvnM1kLsMZ3h6Ws](https://youtu.be/pS64Bt6usxM?si=GCvnM1kLsMZ3h6Ws) Alas, they would then have had to substitute a kicking ball for a scrimmage ball. ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/71 "2024-12-21T00:22:51Z")
Yes, you’re correct, alas. But that kick was from the 35, so it does show that a 75-yard fair catch kick FG may be possible, although maybe only in Denver. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/72 "2024-12-21T01:25:42Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Alas, they would then have had to substitute a kicking ball for a scrimmage ball. O lord, there are different footballs for kicking and throwing? Which one is used in a fake field goal attempt? ---
**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:** [December 21, 2024, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/73 "2024-12-21T01:27:31Z")
A kicking one natch. This happened around the year 2000 note, and may be one reason why both field goal accuracy and punt distances have taken off since then. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/74 "2024-12-21T01:32:01Z")
> [@Mighty\_Mouse](#): > > O lord, there are different footballs for kicking and throwing? Which one is used in a fake field goal attempt? Yes, as of 1999. Prior to that, kickers and punters had become infamous for their techniques for loosening up the footballs which were to be used in a game (storing them in a sauna, temporarily overinflating them, bouncing them on tables, etc.). A broken-in ball is less slick, a little softer, a little rounder, and is generally a bit easier to kick. Starting in 1999, the NFL mandated that “K balls” are used for kicking plays (field goals, extra points, punts, kickoffs). K balls are specially marked, are brand-new at the start of the game, and are tightly controlled during the game. The primary reason for the introduction of the K ball was that kickers were becoming more accurate, and punters were able to punt the ball increasingly higher and further. The league was concerned that the kicking game was becoming too dominant, and wanted to rein things in (i.e., do a bit to discourage field goal attempts, and encourage more touchdowns). However, in the 25 years since its institution, those trends have simply continued: kickers and punters are more accurate, more effective, and can kick further than they ever have been before. That’s largely attributable to better training techniques, and better sports medicine. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/75 "2024-12-21T01:32:21Z")
So the choice of football is made by the team in possession? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/76 "2024-12-21T01:34:14Z")
Nope. Both teams use the same balls, placed into play (theoretically randomly) by the officials. K balls are used on any play that is setting up to be a kicking play (so a fake field goal or a fake punt would have a K ball). The “regular” balls are used on every other play. > [@](#): > > The K-Ball has a special “K” mark on each ball - thus its name. These are the only footballs used for every kicking situation. They aren’t delivered to the officials in the same batch as the other game balls but are brought to the officials’ hotel room and are factory-sealed. > > Rule 2, Section 2 of the NFL Rulebook states that six new K-Balls are shipped directly to the referee of each game and then the seal is broken in the officials’ locker room exactly two hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff. Note: it appears I got one thing wrong in my previous post. This cite says that, of the six K balls in a game, one team uses one set of three (even numbers), and the other uses the other set of three (odd numbers). > [@](#): > > The home club is responsible for supplying five ball attendants for each game. One of these individuals is responsible for the K-Balls during the game. The league hires a K-Ball monitor to keep an eye on these balls during the flow of the game so that they aren’t mixed in with the actual game balls. All six K-Balls are numbered. Each team uses three balls which are usually used on an odd and even number system regarding each squad. The K-Ball attendant must use the lowest numbered ball all throughout the contest unless something happens to that ball. > > Kickers and punters actually despise the K-Ball. Some have commented that the surface is slicker than the plastic footballs children play with. They are not good balls for performing football duties like catching and holding much less kicking and punting. > **[Regulations you should know about NFL footballs](https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2023/2/7/23530203/regulations-you-should-know-about-nfl-footballs)** > > Not just any prolate spheroid will do ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/77 "2024-12-21T03:30:06Z")
If you look closely, you can see that the kicking balls are brownish orange because they’re brand new, but the balls used in the rest of the game are much darker brown because they’ve been extensively prepped by the teams. > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Nope. Both teams use the same balls, placed into play (theoretically randomly) by the officials. Only on kicking plays of course. Each team has their own balls that are prepped as the QB likes and used when they’re on offense, apart from kicking plays. And while the kickers (and long snappers) dislike the brand new K balls for their slickness, the receivers hate them just as much, they’re particularly difficult to field and hold onto. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/78 "2024-12-21T03:32:45Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > You’re only talking about kicking plays, right? Each team has their own balls that are prepped as the QB likes and used when they’re on offense, apart from kicking plays. Well, today I learned something. I stand corrected. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/79 "2024-12-21T03:33:51Z")
I thought deflategate made that general knowledge among football fans, TBH. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2024, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755/80 "2024-12-21T03:35:20Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > I thought deflategate made that general knowledge among football fans, TBH I had, honestly, thought that, in the wake of Deflategate, teams were given less control over the game balls (beyond the K balls). Apparently, I was mistaken. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2024-25-week-16/1011755.md?page=5)