chongli

1983 - Kelly, Marino, Elway, Blackledge, O'Brien, Eason (5 of the 6 were drafted by AFC East teams) 2005 - Rodgers, Fitzpatrick, Cassel, Smith, Orton, Campbell, Anderson 2004 - Manning, Roethlisberger, Rivers, Schaub

NBC doesnt get to pick. All assignments are made by the NFL, taking into some consideration preferences of network. The main things for the NFL though are market sizes and viewerships in certain time/day slots, along with some scheduling constraints, like 4v5 for MNF and CBS early because of their simulcast for kids on Nickelodeon.

MNF is a 4v5, so no PIT-BAL. And no way does the NFL put WAS-TB in the best TV slot.

Over on the Bengals forum, some want Zac Taylor fired.

He wouldn't go there. Remember, the Jets passed on him to draft Darnold. Nine mistakes were made ahead of him!

The thread title should be changed to something more pertinent to the OP, like "Dalvin Cook's cryptic tweet about James getting paid".

This is the link in graphic form:

It's possible. The NFL does not like inter-conference (or intra-division) games for the Kickoff but it has happened in the past recently, once in 2022 because no other suitable teams were available (BUF-LAR) and once in 2023 because they wanted to save the two other good matchups of BUF-KC and CIN-KC for other times in the season (DET-KC). Also, there technically is no TNF for Week 1 (or Week 18); that went to Amazon last time it was awarded. The Thursday Kickoff is part of the SNF package awarded to NBC (as is Thanksgiving night). So it's Thursday night football on SNF.

Mainly because our opponent, Indy: a small-market team led by Philip Rivers that no one cared about. It didn't help Buffalo was also small-market and pretty new to the scene, just having won the division for the first time since 1996.

Is no one an option? I think the Bills just want to focus on staying healthy. I can't see Mitch doing anything fancy. Josh will try to get Cook a TD for OJ's record.

Allen is a huge draw, but the problem is the opponent: Denver (or maybe Miami). A blowout is not interesting football. Cincy, OTOH... ------- [second post:] The guy who is flying in Sunday early afternoon is not going to be happy!

0-4 vs. 0-4!

Absolutey! Just like 2004: final week of the season: Buffalo 9-6 gunning for a playoff spot. Pittsburgh 14-1 and resting their starters. Easy win for the Bills, right?! 🧐

No, that would be Pancho Billa: What?? The QB rating system?

in 1999 JAX finished 1st in the AFC Central at 14-2.TEN was 2nd at 13-3 TEN had to play in the WC against BUF. Not 14 wins, but there were only 16 games then. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1999/index.htm

I don't like them. Who likes the enemy? By guys both named Jake.

Kyle's TD and grenade celebration and amazing compilation of fan reactions of Bills making the playoffs. Fans are having the moment of their lives and going nuts: For me, Bills destroying the LA Raiders at the Rich in 1991 51-3 to go to the SB. 4 Brian Moorman

Not an expert, but maybe this:

The thing is I can't see see WAS-LAR being put in the premier slot ratings-wise, which is Sunday 430. LAR has a small following, despite being somewhat hot, and WAS is pretty blah, Jayden Daniels notwithstanding. Sunday late seems more like a GB-PHL game or maybe even PIT-BAL if that is the matchup.

Thank you. We basically have agreed. I am not saying Houston won't play early Saturday, but it is not always the case if there is a better (i.e., less compelling) game ratings-wise for that slot, as has happened in the past. The slot isn't reserved for the AFC South champion. They do tend to be put there for two reasons: 1. small market for all four teams: HOU, IND, JAX, and TEN 2. The AFC South winner has not, generally, been a very good team relative to its AFC peers. If Houston had been playing lights out this year, I don't think they would go in that slot if there were a better matchup to put there. Houston was the darling last year with a young, hot QB. Who goes there this year? DEN-BUF (or MIA-BUF or CIN-BUF) or LAC/PIT-HOU? Not sure. The NFL would have a hard time placing PIT in that slot given its huge following nationally. LAC-HOU is more likely. BUF has Josh, but DEN is meh, as is MIA this year. CIN-BUF, if that happens, would draw ratings and the NFL may not want to make that game the early one.

This post contradicts your earlier post and does nothing to disprove what I said about 2020. And 2021 it was LV-CIN, as TEN was the top seed. It is possible HOU will play early Sat. this year, but so could BUF. I am not going to argue with you any further about this. You didn't read my post. I'm done.

This is crazy. Please read my posts. I already showed where the early Sat. game 2020 was IND-BUF. TEN, the AFC S winner, played Sunday. https://archive.506sports.com/wiki/2020_NFL_Season In 2021, TEN was the too seed and LV-CIN played early Sat. for the WC. HOU may play early Sat. this year, but it could also be BUF.

Stop. I already showed you where the early Sat. game is not always the AFC South. And no way DEN-BUF is on Sun. 430, which is the premier slot. No one cares about Demver this year. More interest in GB, DET, PHL, MN, etc. The DEN gane has the potential for a blow out.

Monday has to be 4v5. So it wont be LAR-WAS. I can't see BUF playing Sunday at 430. Not against Denver. Too good of a slot. DEN-BUF sounds like Saturday afternoon or night or maybe Sunday 1 PM.