NFL Flexes Four Games Across Two Weeks

The National Football League announced four schedule changes on Monday. The moves affect games in Week 9 and Week 11. The league used its flex scheduling power to alter broadcast networks and one kickoff time.

In Week 9 on Nov. 8, the Raiders at 49ers game moves to Fox. It will air at 4:25 p.m. ET. Previously, the matchup was scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS. This shift places the game in the prime viewing window. Fox now holds three games in that slot for the week. The other two are Packers-Patriots and Cardinals-Seahawks.

The Lions at Dolphins game also changes networks for Week 9. It moves from CBS to Fox. The kickoff time remains at 1 p.m. ET. With these shifts, the Texans at Chargers becomes the only CBS game in the late window. That game stays at 4:05 p.m. ET.

Week 11 on Nov. 22 features a network swap between two games. The Buccaneers at Lions moves from CBS to Fox. The kickoff time stays at 1 p.m. ET. The Dolphins at Bills game moves in the opposite direction. It switches from Fox to CBS. That game also remains at 1 p.m. ET.

The Bills moving from Fox to CBS is the most prominent change. Fox already broadcast a Bills game earlier this season. That prior airing likely influenced the decision. The network may have preferred to keep the Josh Allen game if it had been their only opportunity this season.

One open question remains for Week 9. The league has not yet decided whether to flex the Sunday night game. The Buccaneers are currently scheduled to play in Chicago. Tampa Bay sits at 2-5. The NFL must decide by the end of the day on Tuesday, Oct. 27, whether to change the kickoff time.

The Bears have only one Sunday night game on their schedule. The Buccaneers have won two of their past three games. Those factors may influence the final decision on the Sunday night slot.