NFL Flex Scheduling Could Bump Jets off Primetime Stage
The New York Jets make their long-awaited return to Sunday Night Football in Week 4, but a second appearance could be in jeopardy.
Patrick Mahomes and the Super Bowl LVII champion Kansas City Chiefs as the opponent was enough reason to warrant the Sunday night spotlight at MetLife Stadium on October 1. And that was before Taylor Swift jumped on board.
The Jets' first Sunday Night Football appearance since 2011 was guaranteed even after Aaron Rodgers went down in Week 1. The league's flex scheduling system does not permit any movement until Week 5 at the earliest.
When it comes to future primetimes appearances, however, the Jets are in danger of potentially being flexed out of two spots.
The NFL initially placed the Jets into five different primetime windows in addition to awarding them the league's first-ever Black Friday game. Those scheduling arrangements, however, were made under the impression that a four-time NFL MVP would be Gang Green's quarterback.
In other words, the networks didn't sign up for the Trevor Siemian Show. With Rodgers out, the Jets have certainly lost some primetime appeal and there are two particular games that are eligible to get the boot. The dates to watch are November 12 and December 28.
The ability to change out primetime matchups was initially implemented by the NFL in 2006 and only Sunday Night Football time slots were eligible. In 2023, the league expanded flex scheduling possibilities for Thursday and Monday games on an experimental basis.
Being that Monday games cannot be altered until Week 12; the Jets vs. Chargers will remain as scheduled on November 6 in Week 9.
The same cannot be said for the Week 10 trip to Las Vegas. With the possibility of both teams being in last place by the time this one rolls around, it seems inevitable that the NFL will select the Jets at Raiders game to move out of the November 12 night slot and into the afternoon.
SNF is the week's highest-rated television window and showcasing two losing teams is no way to maximize viewership.
The Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers along with Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens are all matchups that could potentially offer more appeal than the Jets and Raiders.
With flex scheduling applying to Thursday night games beginning in Week 13, the Jets and Browns could be in danger of being bumped out of their Week 17 primetime window. The TNF flex requires 28 days advance notice. The Jets' Week 10 SNF game can be flexed out up until 12 days prior.
Click here for the NFL's flex scheduling procedures.
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