I’m sure you have seen an NFL game already and know what it is all about, but do you really know when NFL Flex Games come into play? Well, let me tell you. It’s a relatively new concept and it’s something worth knowing about.
First of all, NFL Flex Games are available from Weeks 5 to 11 during the regular season. This allows the networks to move games to the Sunday afternoon slot that was originally in the Sunday night slot. This is beneficial to the teams, the viewers, and the league as it can maximize the viewership, meaning more money for everyone.
But that’s not all. Teams can choose to request a maximum of two flex games during the season. For how much does aaron rodgers make in the nfl example, teams can an nfl player agree to prorate their salary decide to play at night in Weeks 7-9, rather than having three consecutive day games. They can also request special holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas if they wish.
Another cool thing about NFL Flex Games is that the NFL can counter-request a team. This means they can tell the team that they can’t skin the scheduling and they have to play at a certain time even if the team hasn’t requested it. This helps them protect viewership and manage the balance of the league.
At the same time, the NFL also has certain limitations when it comes to flexing games. They can only move or defer games that would be buried in other time slots. Meaning, no flexing a big match-up that has high-profile teams involved or games that could generate high ratings.
And that’s basically it! NFL Flex Games are an important part of the NFL and it’s important to understand when and how they come into play.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of NFL Flex Games, let’s talk more about how it works and what is going on behind the scenes. Teams already requested for a maximum of two Flex Games this season. For instance, the Rams are reportedly looking to flex out of their Week 8 game against the Detroit Lions, with the possibility of a Monday Night Football game against the Las Vegas Raiders instead.
The NFL also has certain criteria that need to be met before they can move a game to a different time slot. There must be no comparable matchups happening at the same time, meaning no overwhelming competition during a certain time slot. If teams disagree, the NFL will require both teams to show ratings data to prove that their game will be the highest rated of the day.
The feasibility of a flex game also depends on how well teams play in their last three games before the game in question. If teams have a losing record in their last three games, they won’t qualify for a flex game. This means that the NFL has to look for teams that have good records and games that are showing potential for high ratings.
Lastly, the NFL also has the option of counter-requesting teams they think deserve a flex game. If a team makes the playoffs early, the NFL can give them their desired time slot. This is done to make sure that playoff-bound teams get the best opportunities to succeed in the playoffs.
On the other hand, the NFL also has the ability to deny a flex game when it’s not best for viewership. If the NFL finds that a flex game would significantly hurt viewership, they can deny the request.
This is how NFL Flex Games work, and why their inclusion into the season has been so beneficial for teams, fans, and viewers. It helps keep the season balanced and interesting, while also creating opportunities for teams to increase ratings. Hopefully, this helps to explain when and why flex games are added into the mix of the NFL season.