NFL Swaps Networks for Four Games in Weeks 9 and 11

The National Football League announced a rare double flex move on Monday, altering the television schedule for games in both Week 9 and Week 11. The league is changing the broadcast network for four matches and adjusting the kickoff time for one of them. These simultaneous changes are unusual, as the NFL typically adjusts schedules one week at a time.

In Week 9, scheduled for Nov. 8, the Raiders at 49ers game will now air on Fox at 4:25 p.m. ET instead of CBS at 4:05 p.m. ET. This shift places the game in the prime viewing window for that week. Fox will now feature three games in the 4:25 p.m. ET slot, including the Packers-Patriots and Cardinals-Seahawks matchups. The Texans at Chargers game will remain on CBS, becoming the only network broadcast in the late window at 4:05 p.m. ET. Additionally, the Lions at Dolphins game will move from CBS to Fox, keeping its 1 p.m. ET kickoff time.

Week 11, set for Nov. 22, sees the Buccaneers at Lions game switch from CBS to Fox at 1 p.m. ET. In a counter-movement, the Dolphins at Bills game will move from Fox to CBS, also at 1 p.m. ET. The move of the Bills to CBS is a notable shift because Fox held a Bills game earlier in the season. That previous broadcast likely made the trade acceptable to Fox, which would otherwise risk losing its only chance to feature Josh Allen on a national telecast this season.

The league still has one decision pending for Week 9 regarding the Sunday night game. The Buccaneers are currently scheduled to play in Chicago on Sunday night. Tampa Bay sits with a 2-5 record, which often prompts the NFL to consider moving such games to a different day or time. The league must decide whether to alter the kickoff by the end of the day on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

The Bears have only one Sunday night game on their schedule this season, which may make the league hesitant to pull the matchup from that slot. Furthermore, the Buccaneers have won two of their last three games, showing more competitiveness after a 0-4 start. These factors suggest the Buccaneers-Bears game may remain on Sunday night.