The Detroit Lions’ NFL schedule might see a surprising adjustment, thanks to the team’s surging popularity.
Once considered perennial underdogs, the Lions have become one of the league’s most beloved teams, capturing the hearts of fans across the U.S. and beyond. Their remarkable turnaround from decades of losing seasons has made them a must-watch team.
Now, their rising fame might lead to a significant schedule change this season.
Lions vs. Bills Game Could Be Flexed
The Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills, both exceeding expectations this season, are set to face off at 4:25 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, December 15, on CBS. The matchup was originally slotted to capitalize on viewership during the late-afternoon window. However, with the Bills recently defeating the previously unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs and the Lions boasting a 9-1 record, this game is drawing even more attention.
There’s now a possibility that the game could be moved to a prime-time slot.
NFL analyst Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network responded optimistically to a question on X (formerly Twitter) about the game being flexed to prime time.
“It isn’t protected yet. There’s a window for this process, but the expectation is it will be,” Rogers explained.
From Sunday Afternoon to Monday Night?
Week 15’s Monday schedule currently includes a doubleheader. The Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears are set to kick off at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Brad Berreman of SideLion Report suggests the Lions-Bills game might replace one of these matchups. He believes the current Monday night games lack widespread appeal compared to the Lions-Bills showdown.
“It feels like one of those games is ripe to be taken out of its prime-time slot, and if possible, both could be,” Berreman wrote on November 22.
If the NFL opts to move the Lions-Bills game to Monday night, the announcement would need to come by December 3 to meet the league’s 12-day advance notice requirement.
“When the original schedule came out in May, it’s a virtual certainty CBS protected Lions-Bills from being taken from them and scheduled in a prime-time slot,” Berreman noted. “They can protect the game again if it’s wanted to be flexed to that Monday night, and if there’s not a good alternative, the network will surely do so.”
Berreman believes it’s likely the game will be moved to Monday night at Ford Field, but he cautions that nothing is guaranteed, even if the NFL strongly favors the shift.
Challenges of Flex Scheduling
Flexing games often disrupts fans’ plans, especially for those traveling to the game. Adjusting hotel reservations and transportation can be inconvenient. However, the NFL routinely makes such changes to maximize viewership, and the potential audience for this matchup may outweigh the logistical challenges.
If the opportunity arises, the league is likely to capitalize on showcasing one of the season’s most anticipated games in a prime-time slot.
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