We're slated to play the Pats in Miami on December 6 on Sunday Night Football. Its a great matchup, but it is also possible that we would be flexed OUT of the night game. What's the drop-dead date NBC makes this decision? Thanks. I'm flying in for the game. I can't wait.
I believe it's two weeks before the game (don't quote me), so if that's the case, the NFL/NBC would have to make a decision by sometime around this Sunday? Frankly, don't see how they take us out now. If we had lost last night, definitely. Now? This game could mean the division if the Saints and/or Jets come through and beat the Pats the next couple games .... oh, and there's that thing about us beating Buffalo too. But, I believe the decision would be made before the Buffalo game anyway (we need to win anyways, or it will be quite the buzz kill!)
Looking at the schedule, there could be three "threats" I suppose: -Giants v. Cowboys -Vikings v. Cardinals -Eagles v. Falcons No way they'll put Giants/Cowboys on SNF again. Vikings-Cards could be very interesting and - in some ways - bigger then our game overall, but I believe Fox and CBS can deny one game each weekend (and each team once, or something like that). I'm guessing Fox will want to show that at 4:15. Eagles-Falcons, eh. I think our game is bigger. So, barring something unforeseen, I think last night's win kept us on schedule. Plus, TV loves an underdog, etc. etc. .....
I read somewhere today (sorry I don't remember where) that they had to make the decision by this coming Tuesday.
The same article (which I still cannot remember where it was from) said that the Giants/Cowboys was protected and only offered the Viks/Cards as an option.
dolphins have been stellar and fun to watch in every primetime game this year...so cool because we should have several again next year!!
Just read on NFL.com that it has to be 12 days before the game .... which, yeah, conforms w/ what you heard about Tuesday!
Ok, I found the atricle. It is an article on the Miami Herald Dolphins Football 2009 iphone app. Lets see if I can find it on their site. Yep, here we go. http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/1343242.html
So the Vikes-Cards game isn't blocked .... hmmm.... seeing Brett Favre in prime time might be too much for the NFL to resist I'm surprised Fox blocked Cowboys-Giants as I doubt the NFL would want that one on a second time, plus the Giants are fading. Would have figured Fox would block the Vikes-Cards, which could be a very big game. Darn ..... As much as the NFL might want Favre in prime time, they love Brady just as much (they even made a rule for him this year ) .... and given our "up and coming" status, they might just leave it alone. I can see this being a tough decision for them!
I think we'll be playing that game for sure. I mean it's an in division game, in a close division, a rematch in south florida, if we beat Buffalo (Which we should), we're coming into it with a 3 game win streak. The only thing that might limit the billing is Ronnie not being there :-/
The main thing to remember is that the flex system is not to give NBC the best possible game, but to make sure that there are no late season duds in the prime slot of the schedule. That is why they will not flex the Favres vs. the Cardinals into the slot. The game stays, period.
Good point, and Pats/Dolphins games are almost always close late -- that means good ratings through out the evening.