Grab your popcorn and coke, NFL die-hards! The league just pulled a fast one on us with a scheduling twist that’s sure to get your heart racing. What’s the scoop?

NFL insider Ari Meirov just dropped the news on X: the Bears vs Commanders face-off’s switching gears—from a midday 1:00 PM ET showdown to primetime 4:25 PM ET! Why the shake-up? It’s all about the QBs, folks! This match-up features rising stars Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, and the NFL is clearly keen to showcase their on-field talents. 

But hold up, it gets even juicier! The Eagles and Bengals are getting bumped down to the 1:00 PM slot, which means fans get to feast on two blockbuster games instead of just one. 

This scheduling shuffle’s all courtesy to the NFL’s “flexible scheduling” system, which was implemented back in 2006. Designed to ensure that only the juiciest matchups hit primetime, flexible scheduling’s like giving the NFL a magic wand to make the best games happen. For the 2024 season, the league’s expanding this magic to Monday Night Football and—hold onto your hats—Thursday Night Football too! 

During flexible scheduling windows, Sunday afternoon games can be shuffled between 1:00 PM and 4:25 PM ET. And for Week 18? They’re keeping that schedule a mystery until after Week 17 wraps up.

So, what should you expect when Chicago and Washington square off? Catch the action on CBS—with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo bringing the play-by-play. And don’t forget to set your reminders for October 29 at 4:25 PM ET—this isn’t just a game; it’s a showdown that could shape the future of both franchises. 

No matter what, the impact of flexible scheduling can’t be understated. 

How NFL’s flexible scheduling impacts games? 

NFL flexible scheduling’s like playing 3D chess—thrilling and unpredictable. The schedule makers sift through hundreds of thousands of potential matchups before opting for the final version. 

Let’s break down how it impacts games. First off, it allows for late-season games to be moved for maximum impact. When games are whisked into prime time, the league can roll out its red carpets for some of the best matchups to the largest audiences. For instance, we’ve got two playoff contenders. Now, by bumping their clash into a more favorable time slot (Sunday night), it serves up as a feast for fans (and obviously brings in those crucial TV ratings). 

The league also uses a rotation system so every team faces each other—at least once in four years. This keeps the competition spicy and ensures fans aren’t stuck watching the same old matchups week after week.

But flexible scheduling is much more than that. The schedule makers factor in bye weeks and travel distances. Let’s say one team’s chilling at home after a cozy bye while another’s playing back-to-back games, that ain’t fair.  

So, flexible scheduling is the NFL’s way of ramping up excitement while maintaining that level playing field.