Week Eleven Flex

It’s that point in the NFL season where NBC can start to flex their muscle and change the NFL schedule. The first game that can be flexed out this year is in Week Eleven. NBC has to make their decision by tomorrow, November 10th. So will they or won’t they boot the Philadelphia Eagles at the Chicago Bears from primetime?

On the surface the Eagles at Bears looks like it could be a good matchup. Both teams are fighting for playoff berths in the NFC, the Eagles are at 5-3 while the Bears stand at 4-4. NBC can also play off the Donovan McNabb heading home to the Windy City as well, something that’s always played when he visits his hometown. But is all of that enough?

I don’t think it will be, I’m thinking this game is toast. It’s moving to the afternoon whether either side likes it or not. Especially after the dud the Eagles put up last night against the Dallas Cowboys on primetime.

So what games could fill the soon to be open primetime slot? In my opinion there are four games that NBC should consider.

First and foremost is the Indianapolis Colts at the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are only 4-4 but they’ll be playing the potentially undefeated Colts at home. If the Colts get past the New England Patriots this Sunday then this would be one of the only contests left that could derail a perfect season. Would NBC select this game in hopes that the Colts continue their streak? I think it’s a strong possibility especially with how much they love the Peyton Manning led Colts.

Another is the Atlanta Falcons at the New York Giants . Much like the Eagles / Bears this is a contest of two teams fighting for playoff berths in the NFC. Falcons are 5-3, Giants 5-4. The G-Men are on a 4-game losing streak but will be well rested coming off a bye week. The potential explosiveness of both of these offenses could lead NBC to take this over the currently selected game. NBC also loves the other Manning brother, Eli, so this game definitely has a chance.

The San Diego Chargers (5-3) and Denver Broncos (6-1) also a strong chance to replace the Bears on Sunday night. The Broncos have been stellar all season and beat the Bolts 34-23 in Week Six. Since then thou the Chargers have gone on a 3-game winning streak and are fresh off a last minute win in the Meadowlands. Could that last minute win over the Giants compel NBC to select this game?

One last possibility is the always interesting New York Jets and the New England Patriots, in Foxboro. The Jets are two games back of the Pats. They’ll be looking to get back in the race and look to avenge a 16-9 loss in Week Two. That game was an ugly defensive struggle, with a strong possibility that should happen again especially with Mark Sanchez’s struggles this year. Is that something that NBC would want to put on in primetime, even with the storylines?

Like I said earlier that Eagles / Bears game is gone, I don’t think there is much a chance at all that NBC keeps that game. The question is what game do they take.

I think they’ll go for the Colts / Ravens. If any defense could shut Peyton Manning down it would be the Ravens D. The real question is would CBS waste one of their limited pull backs? It’s still only the middle of the season and there could be much more compelling games later in the year that CBS would want to protect.

If the Colts could win this week and next week, there’s a very good chance that the Colts would be undefeated when they play the Broncos in Week 14. That’s a contest they’d definitely want to protect.

With the viewing public not knowing the number of games each station can protect its hard to predict if just one pull back is a waste or not. But if it was me I’d let NBC take the Colts / Ravens game if they want it.

Once again, I’ll make my prediction it’s going to be the Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football in Week Eleven, not the Eagles and Bears.