The Buffalo Bills are set to host the New England Patriots this Sunday at Highmark Stadium, but the kickoff time has been moved from 1 p.m. to the more prominent 4:25 p.m. window on CBS. This change raises eyebrows, especially considering the lopsided records of the two teams—Buffalo boasts an impressive 11-3 record, while New England struggles at 3-11.
This decision marks the fifth consecutive game for the Bills that has been flexed out of the traditional 1 p.m. slot, with four of those games starting at 4:25. Such adjustments are typically made for high-stakes matchups that could not have been predicted before the season, but in this case, it appears to inconvenience fans who had already planned their attendance for the earlier game.
Interestingly, this change seems to come at the expense of potentially more competitive matchups lined up for CBS in the late window, notably the Dolphins vs. 49ers and Raiders vs. Jaguars. The addition of the Bills-Patriots game in this slot suggests a strategic move by the NFL, although it leads to confusion given the playoff implications surrounding the Dolphins and 49ers.
This scheduling decision underscores the dynamic nature of NFL broadcasting and the league’s desire to showcase specific teams, even if it means displacing matchups that might be perceived as more competitive.
Fans and viewers alike can stay informed through various channels, including newsletters and social media, ensuring they do not miss any of the action as the playoff picture continues to take shape. Despite the inconvenience, the excitement of the game remains high as Buffalo looks to strengthen its playoff standings against a struggling rival.
Overall, while the scheduling choices may baffle some, they reflect the NFL’s ongoing strategies to maximize viewership and maintain interest in a thrilling football season.