I think they did it beause SD/Denver is the only game guaranteed to have playoff implications. If things fall the right way, both the Dolphins and Cowboys game could mean nothing but Sunday night. Not likely but possible and I think NBC wanted to protect themselves.

I agree its stupid but they're probably also thinking they got a nice angle to promote with the Hochuli fiasco from the first game.

I disagree. I think this is a great game, and your probably right, if the Jets win in Seattle, then NYJ/Mia is the game on NBC.

I am thankful that NBC decided to spare us another game @ the Meadowlands, and another Favre love fest.

Could it have anything to do with Madden wanting to stay on teh West Coast? Probably not but he is a lazy fuck.

If that loser Marmalard is blowing kisses at Cutler again, NBC will have made the right decision.

I agree that the reason why NBC picked this game over the otehrs, was because the SD vs Denver game garantees NBC a game that they know is going to give the winner a playoff spot.

The Miami-NYJ needs to stay at 1pm. If the Pats win in Buffalo the Jets will be out of it and if they play at 4pm or 8pm they will lay down to the Fish to stick it to Bellichek.

In a way I'm glad they didn't pick up the NY-Miami game so we didn't have to endure Farve Farewell VII and see him with the crocodile tears when the Jets lose. But then again, that game would be more interesting then this AFC West Championship game.

I think this is a good game to show. This week's game had home field advantage playoff impilications, and this upcoming Sunday will have playoff implications again, but this time to determine the AFC West. Both teams aren't that good, but the Chargers have been playing their hearts out to get to the postseason and Denver will try their best as they have only one chance left. I think it will be a good game.

All I can say is wow! The NFL and CBS (or whomever made this decision) just screwed the Pats. If the Pats lose, they're done, if they win, the Jets will lay an egg to stick it to them! You watch. Oh man, that headline I think overshadows the SNF game.

Aspeaking of which, that, in my opinion is why NBC didn't go with that game to flex. For fear that if the Pats beat the Bills, then the Jets could lay the egg and I doubt that NBC would want to end the regular season with a team laying down.

It's rare that I ever switch the channel during the Eagles game, especially when they are sill in the playoff race, but that Dolphins-Jets game just became must see TV.

Presuming that Da Bears win tonight, these are the likely Fox/CBS splits with games ranked in order of importance ...

Fox early: STL-ATL, CHI-HOU, DET-GB.

CBS early: MIA-NYJ, OAK-TB, CLE-PIT, KC-CIN, TEN-IND.

Fox late: DAL-PHI, CAR-NO, NYG-MIN, SEA-ARIZ, WASH-SF.

CBS late: NE-BUF, JAX-BAL.

FOX & CBS get to "protect" some of their games. Maybe FOX and CBS protected the Mia-NYJ and Dal-Phil games and that left Den-SD as the best game left for NBC to chose.

maybe the networks used up their dallas spots?

-dan

Remember NBC doesn't just get their choice, they can ask for a particular game, but in the end, the NFL gives them what the NFL wants to give them. NBC doesn't get to cherry pick any game they want. That seems to be a general misunderstanding of flex, NBC makes it sound like they pick what they want and automatically get it, but they don't. The NFL schedule makers decide, and they need to consider their other broadcast partners FOX and CBS. Take the Jets and CBS is pissed. Take the Cowboys and FOX is pissed. This is a nice job of balancing all the interests of the networks. The nation will still get Jets/Fins and Cowboys/Eagles both at 4:15, so the fans are not screwed in any way. The NFL just has to consider all the networks, not just cater to NBC.

GO BRONCOS!!!

I can't wait to see that bitch ass Marmalard lose again and keep making his Danny Ainge buttermilk face. Faggot.

anons 12:53 and 1:32 GET IT!!! thank god. my post didn't get posted.
fox and cbs care about protecting the game in the NY market, rather than giving NBC a prime-time game in the #1 market where NBC would clean house with ad money. DUH

I believe that FOX and CBS cannot protect games in week 17, which would mean that all games were in play for NBC. It really comes down to keeping everyone happy and not biting the hands that feed.

The Jets can't lay down to the Dolphins because if the Pats win, the Jets still have a shot at the playoffs if the Ravens some how find a way to lose to the Jags (unlikely), but that game is also at 4pm, so the Jets playoff fate wouldn't be completely decided yet.

I really wish NBC would have considered making the Packers/Lions game the Game of the Week. From a historical standard, in five years no one is going to remember who the AFC West champion was that lost to the Colts in the first round. But people are going to remember the year the Lions went 0-16.

CBS and Fox can't protect games in Week 17. This was NBC's, and to an extent, the NFL's choice. The league has a lot of pull over the Week 17 Sunday nighter.

Not to an extent NFL's choice, but rather to an extent NBC's choice. It is the NFL who decides, NBC lobbies, but they get what they are given.

It is my understanding that in week 17 no game gets protected.In order to keep NBC from getting Cincy-KC or any other worthless game.