The Detroit Lions’ NFL schedule could undergo an unexpected change due to the team’s increasing popularity.
Once known for years of underperformance, the Lions have turned into one of the league’s most exciting and beloved teams this season.
Their rise to prominence has attracted significant attention, not just from local fans but also from across the country and beyond. This surge in popularity might lead to adjustments in their upcoming schedule.
One potential change involves the Lions’ game against the Buffalo Bills.
Both teams are performing well this season, with the Bills recently knocking off the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, and the Lions boasting a 9-1 record with their only loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Initially scheduled for 4:25 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, December 15, the game was set to air on CBS to draw the highest possible viewership.
However, with both teams exceeding expectations, the game could be moved to a prime-time slot to capitalize on even more fan interest.
Justin Rodgers, an NFL analyst with Detroit Football Network, addressed the possibility of the game being flexed to prime time on November 22.
Rogers confirmed that while the game hasn’t yet been “protected,” there is a window for such a change, and the likelihood of the game being moved to a prime-time slot is strong.
Flexing a game from its original time slot is common in the NFL, and the Lions-Bills matchup may be shifted to Monday night, December 16, if the NFL decides to move it.
A doubleheader is already planned for Monday evening, with the Minnesota Vikings facing the Chicago Bears at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the Atlanta Falcons vs. the Las Vegas Raiders at 8:30 p.m. ET.
However, analyst Brad Berreman from SideLion Report sees an opportunity for the Lions-Bills game to take one of those spots, especially given the lack of widespread interest in some of the other teams involved.
According to Berreman, if the NFL decides to flex the game to prime time, it would need to be done at least 12 days in advance, meaning an announcement would be necessary by December 3. This gives the NFL plenty of time to make the decision.
When the original schedule was released in May, it was nearly certain that CBS had protected the Lions-Bills game from being moved to a different time, ensuring the network would have exclusive rights to the afternoon slot.
However, if the network sees a strong demand for a prime-time shift, they would likely approve it.
Even though nothing is guaranteed, Berreman suggests that the most likely scenario is for the Lions-Bills game to be moved to Monday night in Week 15.
However, he also notes that changes like this aren’t certain, even if the league is eager to make it happen.
For fans, flexing games can create logistical challenges, especially for those who have already made travel plans or booked hotels. Adjusting travel and accommodation can be a hassle.
However, the NFL often makes these changes when it sees an opportunity to increase viewership, and in this case, the Lions’ rise to prominence and the Bills’ strong performance make the game an attractive option for prime time.
The decision, though not final, could significantly impact both teams’ exposure to a broader audience.
