PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 08: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 8, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Early reports suggest that the NFL is already considering adjusting the Week 13 schedule to flex the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns out of the Monday Night Football game. The December contest is already under flex consideration due to the teams’ uninspiring play early in the season, particularly in Cleveland’s case.
Last season, the NFL made the unprecedented decision of taking a December game between the Chiefs and Patriots out of the Monday Night Football spot in favor of a game between the Eagles and Seahawks. The league still has rules in place that prevent it from making changes before Week 12, but officials are reportedly interesting in continue the practice in order to provide competitive nationally televised games late in the season.
ESPN broadcaster Troy Aikman first reported the news of uncertainty around the Broncos-Browns game in a recent episode of Pardon My Take. The Browns, a playoff team last year, have struggled with quarterback Deshaun Watson under center and currently hold a 1-4 record. The Broncos boast a talented defense and a 3-2 record but have struggled to produce on offense with rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
While fans occasionally complain about the poor quality of primetime games, Monday Night Football is not the most common target. A long stretch of poor Thursday Night Football games last season elicited far more outcry from fans. Still, a clear point has been made by fans, and the league is responding.
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These minor controversies demonstrate that fans are open to the idea of altering the schedule during the season in minor ways to televise the best product. The NFL obviously benefits from this as well and are actively seeking ways to do so. It is unclear which game would be swapped out if the Broncos and Browns prove to be an uninteresting matchup, but the league would likely prioritize a game between two playoff contenders, like the Eagles and Ravens, who are currently scheduled to play at 4:25 the day before.
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