NFL's TV takeover continues: Falcons-Lions London game scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET

The NFL will play three games overseas in London next season. (Matt Dunham/AP)

A few weeks back on Twitter, I somewhat jokingly suggested that the NFL copy ESPN's 24-hour college hoops marathon format and line up six or seven nationally televised games in a row. Well, we're one step closer now: The NFL announced that next season's Falcons-Lions game from Wembley Stadium in London willkick off at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Per Tim Twentyman of the Lions' website, that game (scheduled for Oct. 26, 2014) will be broadcast on FOX as a lead-in to the rest of that day's slate.

You might recall that because of the MLB playoffs, the Raiders had a game moved to 11:35 p.m. ET this season. So ... if the NFL can just find a way to drop games in around 3 and 6 a.m. -- how about one in Sydney and one in Rome? -- our 24-hour binge could be completed.

Oh, and here's a spoiler for you: That morning game will pull impressive ratings, especially as an alternative to the usual pregame show drain.

BELLER: NFL will test fantasy owners' resolve with 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff