Minnesota Vikings Not Likely to Have Any Remaining Games Flexed
There were a lot of people waiting to see if the Vikings-Panthers game in Week 14 would be flexed. Now that it hasn't, it appears the Vikings can stop worrying about changing times.
The NFL announced today that the Vikings/Panthers game in Week 14 would stay at 12:00 on CBS. They flexed the New York Giants/Dallas Cowboys game to 12:00 (from 3:25) and moved the New Orleans/Jacksonville game to 3:25.
In terms of distribution, the non-flex actually will help the Vikings. They will be the main game on CBS that day at 12:00 up against Colts/Bills and Raiders/Chiefs. A majority of the country will end up taking the Vikings game.
Looking at the future Vikings schedule past that and it appears that they won't have to worry about being flexed from here out.
Following the Carolina game, Minnesota returns home to host the current 5-6 Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15. Chances are that game won't move with Steelers/Patriots set for the 3:25 slot on CBS. Sunday Night Football seems out of the question with the Cowboys/Raiders on the schedule, and the best flex option at this point being Rams/Seahawks to move.
Minnesota is set to play at Lambeau Field against the Packers on Saturday, December 23. The NFL's rule is that games scheduled for Thursday, Saturday, or Monday night cannot be flexed. Thus, the Vikings/Packers game cannot be flexed out of that spot.
Chicago comes to Minnesota to close out the regular season again this year. Chicago will have nothing to play for which almost makes it certain that the game won't move out of the 12:00 spot. Since the NFL has switched to division games in Week 17, the Sunday Night Football game has traditionally been between two teams fighting for one spot in the playoffs. Panthers/Falcons and Cowboys/Eagles are more likely to move to 3:25 or Sunday Night Football before the Vikings/Bears game moves.
Make your plans as scheduled for the rest of the regular season with the Vikings.
- Week 13: @ Atlanta, 12:00, FOX
- Week 14: @ Carolina, 12:00, CBS
- Week 15: vs. Cincinnati, 12:00, CBS
- Week 16: @ Green Bay, 7:30, NBC (Originally scheduled game. Saturday, December 23)
- Week 17: vs. Chicago, 12:00, FOX