NFL wants flexibility in scheduling Christmas video games

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The excellent news is that, for the primary time ever, the NFL is totally embracing the position of Santa Claus, sending a trio of video games down our collective chimney. The unhealthy information is that two of the video games gained’t be superb.

Past Packers-Dolphins (which solely returned to the “good” column lately), Broncos-Rams and Buccaneers-Cardinals are each set to be stinkers, resulting from the truth that all 4 groups have shedding information and two of them are utilizing backup quarterbacks.

Sure, Tom Brady is a drawing card. And, sure, the Bucs stay in line to win their division. And, sure, individuals will watch it as a result of it’s on TV.

However why not maximize the captive viewers by retaining the pliability to pick higher video games for Christmas? It will have been straightforward this yr. A lot of the video games can be performed on Saturday. Six may have been earmarked for potential scheduling on Christmas, with the ultimate resolution coming two weeks or so earlier than the weekend in query.

The identical factor may (ought to) occur subsequent yr, with Christmas touchdown on Monday. Have a bunch of video games that doubtlessly can be moved to Christmas, and make the choice as soon as it’s clear which video games can be naughty and which video games can be good.

The NFL presently does simply that in Week 15, finalizing the video games to be performed on that mid-December Saturday as soon as the season performs out lengthy sufficient to know which video games take advantage of sense.

In contrast to Thanksgiving, which is rooted within the custom of the Lions and Cowboys internet hosting two of the video games, the Christmas video games are and must be a range pack. Additionally, few groups are really performed by Thanksgiving. Half of the groups that may play on Christmas have been mathematically eradicated from the postseason.

The NFL is all the time evolving, relating to placing the very best video games in nationwide home windows. Subsequent yr, versatile schedule turns into out there for Monday night time video games in December. As soon as the league crosses the Rubicon of transferring video games from in the future to the following and vice-versa, there’s no cause to not hold all choices open, particularly in December and January.

What, you ask, in regards to the followers who made journey plans and purchased tickets primarily based on the idea the video games can be performed on a selected date and at a selected time? Everybody will pay attention to the danger that they could need to cancel or change journey plans. And if tickets must be offered, the NFL has an official ticket reseller that may accomplish that job.

Particularly because the NFL takes a bit of style of all such transactions.

Hey, Santa’s gotta eat, too.