Car @ NO possible time change

I would guess (like the World Cup first rounds) one team wouldn't get the "advantage" of knowing what the other team has done already.

Bingo! The NFL wants games with slots on the line to be played at the same time.

Ergo, if the Saints win tonight -> they play at 12noon on 1/1, same as St. Louis-San Fran, with the #2 seed on the line.

If the Saints lose tonight --> they play at 3pm on 1/1, same as Atl-TB, with the #3 seed on the line.

So no rest for the Saints and Brees.

If it makes anyone feel better, even if the Saints had beaten the Rams and/or Bucs, there would still be no rest for Brees & Co., because the #1 (if both won) and/or #2 seeds would be on the line in week 17 (depending on the tiebreaker with SF). Kind of a weird year that way.