If there is one thing we know about the NFL, it is that they will jump at every opportunity they can get their hands on to feature the Chicago Bears. Even if there’s a slight indication the team might be good, the league does everything in its power to put them in premium television spots. That is the power of being in one of the world’s largest media markets. Sure enough, it felt almost inevitable that once the Bears got out to their 7-3 start this season, the NFL would take advantage by tweaking their remaining schedule.
News broke that Chicago’s big showdown with the Green Bay Packers on December 7th has been flexed from the noon slot to the 3:25 CT slot.
This is not a surprise. Bears-Packers has always been a major draw for ratings, even when one of the teams (mostly the Bears) was bad. Now that both appear to be good? This was almost inevitable. A late afternoon showdown between the NFL’s oldest rivals is an easy sell for national audiences. Caleb Williams returns to the place where he won last year. Ben Johnson vs. Matt Lafleur. The stories write themselves.
The Chicago Bears may not be done with the flexing.
Two other games could possibly see that happen. One is the other matchup against Green Bay at Soldier Field, which is also currently in the noon slot. The other is the season finale at home against the Detroit Lions. That might be the one to watch because, depending on how the next several games play out, it’s possible that game could decide who wins the division. There isn’t much greater theater than that.
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The Chicago Bears have actually fared well in the premium slots this season. They beat Dallas and Las Vegas in later afternoon matchups and took down Washington on Monday Night Football. Their only loss was the Monday night opener against the Minnesota Vikings, which they should’ve won. That would suggest this team is much better playing under the lights than in years past.
