Week 11 Game Flexed
Patriots@Bills Moved to 8:15 p.m.
In something of a surprise, the NFL moved New England's Week 11 game, originally schedule for 1 p.m. on CBS, to the Sunday Night featured game at 8:15 p.m. on NBC.
Week 10 is the last bye week, and Week 11 is the first week of the NFL's "flex" schedule, where NBC, current owner of the rights to broadcast the Sunday Night game, is able to choose one of the Sunday afternoon games to move to the 8:15 p.m. slot.
In Week 11, the Chicago at Seattle game that was scheduled for 8:15 p.m. will be moved to 4:15 on Fox.
This seems odd to me -- not the least of which is because CBS loses a game and Fox gains one -- because while it's a division game for the Patriots and Bills, I would think that New England hosting Pittsburgh or the Jets would be more attractive games to the league.
The only reason I can surmise is that the league wants New England playing in prime time while they are undefeated. The Patriots are already scheduled for the Sunday Night game the following week when they host Philadelphia and then travel to Baltimore for Monday Night Football the next week. New England is also schedule to play the final Sunday Night game of the season in New Jersey against the Giants.
That leaves just three 1 p.m. games on the Patriots schedule: Pittsburgh (Dec. 9), the Jets (Dec. 16) and Miami (Dec. 23), all at Gillette Stadium, unless any of them are changed too.
If we all get our wish and see the Patriots challenge history, flirting with the perfect season, will the league change all their Sunday afternoon games to Sunday Night?
Personally, I prefer Sunday afternoon games for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that I work Monday mornings, and Sunday Night games really throw a wrench into Nor'easteners' schedules. I also have tickets for a few games, and I'd rather be in Gillette Stadium when the sun's out (and it wreaks havoc with my schedule).
But enough about me. We have a whole week to talk about the Colts game and the Patriots prospects of achieving the perfect season. If you have any questions or topics to discuss, drop me an email or post a Diary.