Opinion: SNF would have been flexed if not for Cowboys

[Reality]

I guess that changes the discussion?

This is week 15 which only requires 6 days notice . Which means we had already lost to Lions reducing our playoff chances to 8%. Basically all but knocked out barring a total collapse from Egirls.

And with so many great games with definite playoff implications today could have flexed the Cowboys game with 2 non winning record teams .

Not really given it's so close.

When it comes to Cowboys games, they generate high viewership numbers because they are the most liked and hated team in the NFL.

The "great games" are only a factor for the smaller demographic of fans like us who watch other NFL games beyond their favorite team, but that is not the majority of fans.

The best game today on the schdule was probably the Bills-vs-Patriots but that's a Northeast region game, so no way that's going to outperform a Cowboys game on Sunday night and that's before you factor in the game starting late due to the timezone.

The Colts game has a retired 44-year old quarterback playing his first game in 5 years while the Panthers-Saints, Lions-Rams, Titans-49ers games are only important to the fans of those teams in week #15.

The only other game that might generate enough outside market viewers would be the Packers-Broncos game but even that's an AFC-vs-NFC game that will carry less weight with most fans outside of fans of those teams.

To me this was an easy decision for the network.

If this was week #17 or #18, then that would be a different story but then hopefully there would be more divisional match-ups with a lot on the line for both teams.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Being 6-6-1, we don't deserve a prime time game...

Prime time games and ratings have nothing to do with records.

 

[Diehardblues]

Not really given it's so close.

When it comes to Cowboys games, they generate high viewership numbers because they are the most liked and hated team in the NFL.

The "great games" are only a factor for the smaller demographic of fans like us who watch other NFL games beyond their favorite team, but that is not the majority of fans.

The best game today on the schdule was probably the Bills-vs-Patriots but that's a Northeast region game, so no way that's going to outperform a Cowboys game on Sunday night and that's before you factor in the game starting late due to the timezone.

The Colts game has a retired 44-year old quarterback playing his first game in 5 years while the Panthers-Saints, Lions-Rams, Titans-49ers games are only important to the fans of those teams in week #15.

The only other game that might generate enough outside market viewers would be the Packers-Broncos game but even that's an AFC-vs-NFC game that will carry less weight with most fans outside of fans of those teams.

To me this was an easy decision for the network.

If this was week #17 or #18, then that would be a different story but then hopefully there would be more divisional match-ups with a lot on the line for both teams.

I’m not arguing the ease of the decision. I totally agree. It’s all about the ratings.

But my point is if it wasn’t the Cowboys playing in a game of non winning record teams it would have been flexed for one of these other games with more playoff implications.

It’s sad that a Cowboys game has potential for greater ratings than a more meaningful game.

 

[SpaceCowboy99]

This time of year NBC has capability to flex games with playoff team or teams who are very much in the hunt .

There’s many great matchups today with teams already in top 7 of each conference they’d of normally flexed to and placed Dallas in Noon or 3:25 slot.

But the Cowboys even at 6-6-1 against a team basically eliminated with Vikes at 5-8 means ratings , only cause it’s the Cowboys not because this a game with pertinent playoff implications.

You act like this is a good thing. This is a disgrace to football. I want to see good teams playing good teams. Not mediocre teams playing mediocre.

 

[fivetwos]

I live in the NY market and next week vs LA is literally the ONLY game I didn’t need the ticket for.

ONE game.

I’ll hit a bar.. The streak is important to me.

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

Prime time games and ratings have nothing to do with records.

Well obviously. But deserving to be on prime time, in front of a national audience, and just being slotted to be there are also two different things. So again, we do not deserve to be on the national stage with how we performed, unless you think people like watching a mediocre team on the prime time slot.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

I would rather be playing in the Super Bowl.. Guess this is getting the consolation prize.

#sarcasm!

 

[acr731]

And I'll take this over any Super Bowl.

Spoken like a true homer and Jerry. Playing in the prime time slot where the whole world is watching means much more than a super bowl.

 

[Diehardblues]

You act like this is a good thing. This is a disgrace to football. I want to see good teams playing good teams. Not mediocre teams playing mediocre.

I totally agree. You must be missing my point.

 

[Diehardblues]

Well obviously. But deserving to be on prime time, in front of a national audience, and just being slotted to be there are also two different things. So again, we do not deserve to be on the national stage with how we performed, unless you think people like watching a mediocre team on the prime time slot.

Unfortunately the league thinks two non winning teams can attract more viewers than a more meaningful matchup with playoff implications, only cause it’s the Cowboys. And they’re probably right.
Boooooooooo

 

[Bobhaze]

The NFL has put the Cowboys in prime time more this year than I can ever remember.
It's the only reason the Cowboys have six wins and a tie.
The NFL will not allow a blowout in prime time. Most games go down to the final seconds, where one team wins with a field goal.
Looks like fans would have noticed how rigged it is.
Before the last few years there were regular blowouts, and the advertisers were getting mad. And now the gambling sites have a say.
I think they would allow a blowout if the Cowboys did it.

Rigged? Seriously? If you think the NFL is rigged, why would you even watch or care? The “conspiracy” stuff I see all over society these days never seems to have anything credible behind it.

 

[CowboysLakerBamaFan]

This time of year NBC has capability to flex games with playoff team or teams who are very much in the hunt .

There’s many great matchups today with teams already in top 7 of each conference they’d of normally flexed to and placed Dallas in Noon or 3:25 slot.

But the Cowboys even at 6-6-1 against a team basically eliminated with Vikes at 5-8 means ratings , only cause it’s the Cowboys not because this a game with pertinent playoff implications.

Jerry is justified

#keep on keepin' on

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

Unfortunately the league thinks two non winning teams can attract more viewers than a more meaningful matchup with playoff implications, only cause it’s the Cowboys. And they’re probably right.
Boooooooooo

Yeah, sometimes we face public humiliation letting the whole country know how bad we are in those instances. At least it isn't going to be against someone who will light us up.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Why is this so unfortunate? Because it means you have to stay up later? Or you just wish the Cowboys weren't popular?

 

[Gangsta Spanksta]

Rigged? Seriously? If you think the NFL is rigged, why would you even watch or care? The “conspiracy” stuff I see all over society these days never seems to have anything credible behind it.

Cowboys would've won more games if the league was rigged. It doesn't make sense to make your best known team mediocre season after season. It would take the worst script writer, ever, to do something so unprofitable.

 

[Reality]

I’m not arguing the ease of the decision. I totally agree. It’s all about the ratings.

But my point is if it wasn’t the Cowboys playing in a game of non winning record teams it would have been flexed for one of these other games with more playoff implications.

It’s sad that a Cowboys game has potential for greater ratings than a more meaningful game.

There is no question it would (or at least should) have been moved if the Cowboys were out of the playoffs and I don't disagree that this is far from the best game of the day for NFL fans in general.

As someone who enjoys watching great games, I would have much rather seen the Cowboys play during the day and watched the Bills-vs-Patriots tonight.

As it is, Jerry gets his ego-booster and the fans get game where if the Cowboys win, they were supposed to win. If they lose, they get embarassed. If the game is close, then most will consider the game was two bad teams playing each other.

 

[acr731]

Rigged? Seriously? If you think the NFL is rigged, why would you even watch or care? The “conspiracy” stuff I see all over society these days never seems to have anything credible behind it.

Can you explain the recent Raiders game where they kicked an unnecessary FG as time expired? I'm not sold on the 'rigged' theories either, but that game certainly raised a few eyebrows in that the last second FG and final score made a huge difference in the Vegas gambling scene.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Well obviously. But deserving to be on prime time, in front of a national audience, and just being slotted to be there are also two different things. So again, we do not deserve to be on the national stage with how we performed, unless you think people like watching a mediocre team on the prime time slot.

Of course they do lol. You think people watching are only Cowboys fans? Ratings are built on whether or not people want to watch. Whether it’s wanting to watch them win or lose. It’s just what it is.

 

[acr731]

Of course they do lol. You think people watching are only Cowboys fans? Ratings are built on whether or not people want to watch. Whether it’s wanting to watch them win or lose. It’s just what it is.

Just a guess, but I would imagine most of the USA enjoys watching Dallas lose more than they enjoy watching the super bowl.

 

[Diehardblues]

Rigged? Seriously? If you think the NFL is rigged, why would you even watch or care? The “conspiracy” stuff I see all over society these days never seems to have anything credible behind it.

Right. It’s just a means for fans or citizens attempting to discredit the facts or results if they don’t align with their beliefs or desires.