Packers vs. Raiders not flexed into primetime

[Da-news-now]

The Packers' matchup with the Raiders remains an afternoon kickoff.

The NFL introduced flex scheduling nearly a decade ago to avoid placing mediocre matchups in primetime games. Week 14's Sunday Night Football was set to feature the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers, but NBC elected to flex in a different matchup to avoid broadcasting what appears to be a one-sided affair on paper. While the Green Bay Packers' game against the Oakland Raiders may have appealed to the TV executives, they instead have selected Arizona Cardinals vs. Philadelphia Eagles. That means Green Bay' vs. Oakland still kicks off at 3:25 p.m. CT.

Green Bay games have long been a popular option for networks, as the team maintains a rabid national following. However, the Eagles are one of the few other teams capable of making a tremendous impact on viewing habits, and their recent win over the New England Patriots gives Chip Kelly's crew a viable chance to make the playoffs. Those considerations likely played a role in the choice to flex that game ahead of the Packers' appearance in Oakland.


The Packers could still see one of their remaining games flexed into primetime. Their Week 16 tilt with the Cardinals could help decided the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs. Any announcement regarding the flex scheduling would likely come within the next week.

[BCOLOR=#FFC20E]Jason B. Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Acme Packing Company. He also serves as an NFL writer for SB Nation and Sports on Earth and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
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