NFL Announces Major Schedule Change Before Week 17

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NFL Announces Major Schedule Change Before Week 17

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emily Bicks | Last updated Dec 17, 2024 1:32 PM ET

While numerous NFL teams have clinched their division and punched their tickets to the playoffs heading into Week 16, several franchises are still fighting for their spot in the postseason.

With all bye weeks complete, all 32 teams play each week and the league tries to give games with playoff implications a national time slot. However, with four teams playing on Christmas Day in Week 17, the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Pittsburgh Steelers before the Baltimore Ravens faces the Houston Texans, flexing options were already limited.

While fans and analyst tried their best to figure out which games would be moved, the NFL announced their final schedule on Dec. 17.

The slate for the Week 17 Saturday Tripleheader on @nflnetwork! pic.twitter.com/7hwBpdUvn2
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2024

The NFL has moved the Miami Dolphins matchup against the Cleveland Browns game out of "Sunday Night Football" in Week 17 and replaced it with the Atlanta Falcons game again the Washington Commanders.

While "Monday Night Football" remains unchanged, the Detroit Lions will take on the San Francisco 49ers, a trio of games on Saturday, Dec. 28 games will air on NFL Network in the following time slots:

Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots at 1:00 p.m. ET

Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals at 4:30 p.m. ET

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams at 8:00 p.m .ET.

Depending on how things go this week, all three of these games could have major playoff implications. The Cardinals-Rams matchup may decide the winner of the NFC West.

Week 16 playoff scenarios, including potential clinching for the #Broncos, #Chargers and #Commanders. pic.twitter.com/pVwiVLyD0L
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 17, 2024

On Sunday, Dec. 29, the following matchups all play in the 1:00 p.m. time slot: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants, and Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants.

At 4:05 p.m. ET, Miami Dolphins face the Cleveland Browns. At 4:25 p.m. ET, an NFC East showdown between Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

The NFL has not yet announced the dates and time of games played in Week 18. They are all TBD.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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