What are the Week 17 flex rules? (1 Viewer)

[zftcg]

As most people know, the NFL reserves the right to wait until after Week 16 to determine the final SNF game. My understanding is that the league will always prioritize a "win or go home" game. But I can't find that written anywhere. It raises an interesting conundrum for this season, as it would mean they would show the sub-.500 CAR-ATL game instead of what most people would consider a better match-up between GB-DET, since the team that loses the latter game is still in the playoffs.

Anyone know? I guess we'll find out soon enough.

ETA: I forgot that CIN-PIT could be a similar situation to DET-GB: At least one team already in the playoffs, but a far more marketable match-up.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

There is no rule. NBC will flex the game they think will attract the biggest audience.

 

[zftcg]

There is no rule. NBC will flex the game they think will attract the biggest audience.

I could have sworn I read somewhere that for Week 17 only, the NFL gets to decide.

 

[loser]

They'll go win and you're in. Car-Atl. When the Cards went to the Super Bowl, they were in a weak division in the same scenario, and that's what they went with.

 

[Willie Neslon]

Somebody at NBC says they have to show Steelers as many times per year as possible.

 

[loser]

They'll go win and you're in. Car-Atl. When the Cards went to the Super Bowl, they were in a weak division in the same scenario, and that's what they went with.

Or not. Bengals-Steelers.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Just announced. Steelers-Bengals.

 

[zftcg]

Well, I guess that answers my question: ratings trumps all.

On the other hand, I can only assume whoever decided this would be the best game has never watched Andy Dalton perform in the clutch.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

As a Packers fan I'm glad the game didn't get flexed to SNF and instead got pushed to the afternoon. My question is will Pit/Cin really get better ratings than GB/Det? For real?

 

[mrmits]

As a Packers fan I'm glad the game didn't get flexed to SNF and instead got pushed to the afternoon. My question is will Pit/Cin really get better ratings than GB/Det? For real?

probably will now that its in prime time...and eastern time zone games do better than central

 

[Fariq]

They'll go win and you're in. Car-Atl. When the Cards went to the Super Bowl, they were in a weak division in the same scenario, and that's what they went with.

The Cardinals did not play any Sunday night games in 2008. You must be thinking of the 2010 season when the sub-.500 Rams and Seahawks met in the Week 17 SNF game.

 

[zftcg]

As a Packers fan I'm glad the game didn't get flexed to SNF and instead got pushed to the afternoon. My question is will Pit/Cin really get better ratings than GB/Det? For real?

That's funny. My dad and I are both Lions fans, and he was saying to me last night that he didn't want to get flexed because, as bad as the Lions play in GB, moving the game to night, when it would presumably be even colder, would make it worse.

 

[zftcg]

They'll go win and you're in. Car-Atl. When the Cards went to the Super Bowl, they were in a weak division in the same scenario, and that's what they went with.

The Cardinals did not play any Sunday night games in 2008.You must be thinking of the 2010 season when the sub-.500 Rams and Seahawks met in the Week 17 SNF game.

2010 was also the first year they introduced the Week 17 flex + all division games. It was a reaction to the year before, when the Jets-Bengals played on SNF. Jets needed a win to get in, Bengals had nothing to play for, so they sat all their starters and Jets won in a walk. League was pissed about closing the season with a stinker and went to the new format. I have to say, it's worked out pretty well.