Two NFL games on the schedule for the Week 16 (Dec. 22, 2013) have been moved in accordance with the league’s flexible scheduling rules.
Chicago at Philadelphia, which was originally scheduled for 1pm ET on FOX, has been moved to the Sunday Night Football slot at 8:30pm ET on NBC.
The Bears and Eagles are both in playoff contention. Chicago is currently in the hunt for a spot, while Philadelphia is a projected 3rd seed if the playoffs started today.
New England at Baltimore was originally scheduled for Sunday Night Football on Dec. 22, but it has been moved to 4:25pm on CBS.
The Patriots haven’t officially clinched a playoff spot, but they are 10-3 overall and currently lead the AFC East by three games. Baltimore is 7-6 and is currently projected as the 6th seed.
Back in 2006, the NFL implemented flexible scheduling for Sunday games in Weeks 10-15 and Week 17 to ensure quality match-ups. Sunday afternoon games are eligible to be moved to Sunday Night Football, with the night game being moved to the afternoon.
View Comments (14)
I will write a strongly worded letter to the NFL to oppose this!
Now Jim Nantz can call yet another Patriots game on CBS.......he strives for 10/year.
And the raven's and patriots aren't in contention?? One of whom is the defending would champions? Give me a break? I hope your numbers tank. Obviously, the NFL it's clueless; they seriously think Philly and Chicago it's a better game and will get better ratings.....wake up!
You're right, they are both in contention. Not sure why they opted to move it.
Prior to, CBS was stuck with Pit/GB (likely w no Rodgers) and Oak/SD in the 4:25 slot, and I don't think they can have just three games in a 1:00 window in a non-bye week (thus no Ind/KC flexing). So it's a help-out to CBS from the NFL. Besides, we're complaining about the Patriots NOT being on Sunday night? Spare me............................
Also FOX already has the Saints/Panthers rematch as their #1 1:00 game. You could say flex that but not only was that just on but FOX already went without either Hawk/Niner game in 2012, they're not going to not protect this one.
If any game should have got it should have been Cards/Hawks. Not only a singleheader 4:05 game, but how does NBC not have the team with the NFC's best record (3-1 vs the 2-3-4 teams) on more than once? But it is what it is.
So here's an idea, drop the phony outrage.
New England versus Baltimore is always a great game the Chicago Philly game I give us channel changing excuses
Chicago is hot right now with McCown playing better than Cutler. So change channels if you don't like it.
$&@! u guys Philly all the way! This is guna be way better game than the 7-6 defending champs who aren't even guna make the playoffs!
Since when is 8:30 PM EST on a Sunday "prime-time"? Most folks have to go to work the next day. I never stay up until Midnight to watch any game. I'm in bed by half-time. Bummer.
Go Eagels!!! F$@? Tom Brady and his early bedtime bullsh$@ fans!
I think it's a chance to grab an extra market (Chicago/Midwest) in prime time. I recall reading a long time ago when Chicago was horrendous and "banned" from MNF -- they missed the ratings the Chicago audience brought.