The NFL has announced significant adjustments to its Week 14 schedule, impacting two major matchups. The Chicago Bears will now face the Green Bay Packers at a new start time of 4:25 p.m. ET, shifting from the originally scheduled 1 p.m. kickoff. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills’ road game against the Cincinnati Bengals has been rescheduled to begin earlier at 1 p.m. ET, moving from its previous slot at 4:25 p.m.
This adjustment has likely been influenced by the current performance levels of the teams involved. The Bears, boasting a strong record of 7-3 after winning seven of their last eight games, have emerged as one of this season’s surprises. Their upcoming clash with the Packers (6-3-1) is expected to play a crucial role in determining the lead in the NFC North as the regular season winds down.
On the other hand, the Bengals are having a challenging 2025 season, holding a disappointing record of 1-7 since quarterback Joe Burrow was sidelined with a toe injury. While there is a possibility Burrow could return by the time they face the Bills, the league decided that the Bears-Packers rivalry warranted a more prominent time slot.
Fans may find themselves as the real losers in this schedule shuffle. Those who have already secured tickets and made plans to attend the games will face inconveniences due to the changes, underscoring the challenges that can arise from alterations in NFL game timing. As the season progresses, one can only hope that circumstances improve for all teams involved, particularly for the Bengals as they look to make a turnaround.