Thursday Night Football finally has its first flex game.
The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers, who are both in the playoff hunt, are being flexed to Prime Video’s TNF for their Week 16 game.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news Friday. The Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals game originally slated for that TNF slot will instead be played Sunday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m. on Fox.
The first Thursday night flex: The Week 16 Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers game will move to Thursday Night Football on Prime Video while the Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals matchup will be played Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 22, 2024
According to Denver’s 9 News, a league source indicated the Broncos approved the move despite having already played a TNF road game this season, in Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints. The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement has a clause preventing any team from having to play two Thursday night road games in the same season.
While it means a shorter week of preparation for the Broncos and Chargers at crunch time, it’s without question a better game for fans — and Amazon Prime Video ratings — given both teams will likely be battling for playoff positioning if they maintain their current pace.
NFL owners approved Thursday Night Football flexing in May 2023, but tough criteria were set. Only games between weeks 13-17 could be moved and the decision had to be made at least 28 days before the game.
According to CBS Sports, the NFL considered several factors before moving the Broncos-Chargers game, including any potential competitive advantage for either team, as well as travel considerations during a holiday weekend.
CBS reported that the Week 17 TNF game between the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks could also be flexed out of that spot, but that decision would have to be made by late next week.
[Adam Schefter]
