Flexing Out The Bucs
December 1st, 2021
Would the NFL do it?
Just because the Bucs are scheduled to host the slimy Saints on Sunday Night Football on Dec. 19, that doesn’t mean the primetime kickoff time is set in stone.
The NFL, in consultation with NBC, has the option of flexing that game to Sunday afternoon, which would stink out loud for Bucs fans. The way the slimy Saints are playing (hah, hah!) with a 5-6 record that is a real possibility.
It’s hard to believe the NFL would flex out a Tom Brady game on NBC, but the NFL’s broadcast partners and the league are all about eyeballs. If a game has no expected suspense or drama, the NFL may replace it with a more interesting contest.
The NFC South race could be wrapped up in the next two weeks for all intents and purposes. Joe is not predicting that, but it’s not far-fetched. If the slimy Saints, with a no-name quarterback, are four or five games back of the Bucs and out of any playoff shot by the middle of December, what’s the point (from a network suit’s perspective)?
The Packers are scheduled to play the Crows in Baltimore that weekend. Green Bay is a guaranteed ratings hit for NBC. Aaron Rodgers vs. Lamar Jackson is compelling television with both teams fighting for a division title.
(Shortly after Joe finished and scheduled this story, the NFL announced the Packers-Crows game was moved to 4:25 p.m. on Dec. 19)
Another game to watch is Philadelphia at Washington. Both are in the playoff hunt. And we all know how much NBC *loves* NFC East games. Last year they even televised a brutal game between the out-of-the-playoff-picture Eagles and division-leading, losing-record WTF.
Why? The NFC East, that’s why.
Per the NFL’s flex scheduling rules on NFL.com, the NFL will decide (after consultation with CBS, FOX, NBC) and confirm the Dec. 19 night game no later than 12 days prior to the game (Dec. 7).
If the slimy Saints lose to the Cowboys tomorrow night and the Bucs beat the Dixie Chicks, the Sunday night Saints-Bucs game is ripe to be flexed out of primetime.
So Bucs fans, be flexible if you’re going to the Sunday night home game on Dec. 19, the Sunday before Christmas. Sadly, Joe would not be shocked if the game is moved to the afternoon.
December 1st, 2021 at 12:28 am
They won’t flex out Brady. Too big of a draw. Also their two biggest hits this year were Brady games.
December 1st, 2021 at 12:36 am
If the slimy Saints-Bucs game has no suspense or drama expected, the NFL may replace the slimy Saints-Bucs game with a more interesting contest.
_________
Do they not know about our sickening penchant for making 2nd and 3rd string QBs look like……um……Tom Brady?
Plenty entertaining if you’re not a Bucs fan.
December 1st, 2021 at 12:55 am
Ya gotta point 🙁
December 1st, 2021 at 12:58 am
Of course I want the Saints to lose to the Cowboys, but that is far from a given.
Sean Peyton has not given up on his team, and has made a QB Change.
December 1st, 2021 at 3:05 am
I prefer afternoon games myself.
December 1st, 2021 at 6:43 am
What about Flexing the Buffalo and Bucs game to Sunday night?
GO BUCS!!!!!
December 1st, 2021 at 7:19 am
If they didn’t move the Packers/Ravens game there…..the Bucs will stay in Prime.
December 1st, 2021 at 7:27 am
That sucks for us in the Northeast we may not get the game at all.
December 1st, 2021 at 8:36 am
Packers-Bears is the previous Sunday night game. (Dec 12) Would they have the Packers on two consecutive SNF games? The league should really flex the Bucs-Bills into that Sunday night slot (instead of GB-CHI), then flex the GB-BAL game into the following Sunday night instead of TB-NO.
December 1st, 2021 at 8:45 am
I used to LOVE and prefer 1pm games. Then this year having all those 4pm and prime time games, I’ve really enjoyed having a full Sunday of doing whatever else I want and enjoying the Bucs at the end of the day. Now I kinda hate 1pm games and we have a bunch of them coming up.
December 1st, 2021 at 9:30 am
On behalf of alcoholics everywhere that have to work on Monday morning , I love 1pm games.
December 1st, 2021 at 9:45 am
I hate waiting all day anyways.
December 1st, 2021 at 9:52 am
@joe did not mean to hijack comments of a previous post with my question related to this story my bad !
December 1st, 2021 at 9:56 am
No, you’re cool man! You can always e-mail Joe too. Hope this story answers your questions (very good question, too!)
December 1st, 2021 at 10:07 am
Stock up on Bromosa!
🙂
December 1st, 2021 at 10:09 am
Such BS. HOW MUCH F#CKING MEDIA MONEY DO YOU PEOPLE NEED?!!!!!!!!! But I think it is worthy if we’re in a tight run for home field advantage. The third string QB worked the Bucs last time. The Brady haters are in their prime and would love to see a Bucs L.
December 1st, 2021 at 10:27 am
Fine by me.
December 1st, 2021 at 10:57 am
Who is “YOU PEOPLE?” 🤔
December 1st, 2021 at 11:58 am
I took a night of vacation (3rd shift) for this game. I have been waiting for this game for forever. I’ll be very bummed if it gets flexed out. I will opt to go into work if it does get flexed… I’m thinking however they may not and a scene and quote regarding Shannon Sharpe from hard knocks comes to mind: “you humiliated me on national television, and I want my restitution!”.
December 1st, 2021 at 7:25 pm
They just need to Flex our game to Sunday night against the Bills and just have is play the saints in the afternoon.