CBS has fought to protect a marquee game in Week 6 which NBC wanted to flex into prime time.
The Washington Commanders’ clash with the Baltimore Ravens is due to take place at 1pm ET on Sunday, October 13.
Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens ran all over the Buffalo Bills last week[/caption]
Jayden Daniels was a prime time star for the Washington Commanders against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3[/caption]
It will be shown live on CBS – who hold rights for 1pm and 4pm ET football along with Fox.
NBC wanted to move the showdown into prime time that day in place of the New York Giants’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
But CBS has protected the Ravens-Commanders clash – meaning it will stay on their network.
NBC’s eagerness to show that game is partly down to the hot start the Commanders have made with new rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The Baltimore Ravens also looked mighty impressive in hammering the Buffalo Bills 35-10 last week.
And their current Giants-Bengals game has both teams at 1-3 after four weeks of the season.
The NFL has flexible scheduling procedures in place to allow games to be moved.
Any move must take place at least 12 days before the game.
NBC is allowed to flex two games from Sunday afternoon into prime time between Week 5 and Week 10.
But CBS and Fox are allowed to protect one game each per week.
And, according to reports, the Commanders-Ravens clash is the one CBS has fought for in Week 6.
Brian Wacker of the Baltimore Sun reported, “Commanders at Ravens in 2 weeks, Lamar vs. Jayden Daniels: NBC was interested in flexing it to Sunday night.
“But CBS has apparently protected the game.
“Bengals-Giants is the current Week 6 SNF game.”
CBS is also unable to move the game from 1pm into a 4.25pm ET slot as Week 6 is Fox’s turn to show the double header.
NFL flex scheduling rules
The NFL has rules in place for games to be moved to new slots in a bid to maximise television audiences.
- Sunday afternoon games may be moved between 1:00 p.m. and 4:05 p.m. or 4:25 p.m. ET
- For Sunday Night Football, it may be used up to twice between Weeks 5-10, and at the NFL’s discretion during Weeks 11-17
- For Monday Night Football it may be used at the NFL’s discretion in Weeks 12-17
- For Thursday Night Football it may be used up to twice between Weeks 13-17
Instead it will take place at 1pm ET along with two other games on the CBS network.
That means it is likely to be shown in around 75 per cent of the nation.
Other parts of America will see either the Houston Texans vs the New England Patriots or Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans on CBS.
Some of the nation will not see a 1pm ET game on CBS as they are not allowed to show a double header in Week 6.
CBS will screen the Oakland Raiders vs Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers at 4.05pm ET on October 13.
Fans in those four markets will not see a 1pm ET game on CBS.
Fox has the double header that week with three games scheduled for 1pm ET and two at 4.25pm ET.
