- May 21, 2026
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As the NFL season begins to take shape, the league office has a growing body of evidence to inform potential flex decisions. And one game has emerged as a candidate to be the first to exit its current prime-time slot.
Via Rob Tornoe of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the NFL is considering moving the Week 8 game between the Eagles and Commanders out of the Sunday night window.
Plenty of factors influence the NFL's decision-making process. One obvious factor becomes the game that would replace it.
In Week 8, it may not be easy to find a game that would attract a larger audience, even if the Commanders lose to the 49ers on Monday night and fall to 1-4-1 and if the Eagles lose to the Panthers on Sunday and slump to 2-4.
Given the apparent rule that at least one game in each division rivalry must be televised in a Sunday afternoon window, Vikings-Lions, Browns-Steelers, and Chiefs-Broncos would seem to be off limits. Steelers-Browns (Week 4) and Broncos-Chiefs (Week 4) previously were televised in prime time, and the Vikings are scheduled to host the Lions on Sunday night in Week 15.
Of course, the league could decide to take the earlier Vikings-Lions game, with a flex of the Week 15 game in Minneapolis into an afternoon window.
Ravens-Bills becomes a possibility, but the Ravens also play the following Thursday night. The league may not want to give the Ravens seven fewer hours or so between games on a short week.
Colts-Jaguars is a possibility; the Jaguars are 4-1 and the Colts should move to 3-3 this weekend with a home game against the 0-5 Titans. The league would need to consider whether Eagles-Commanders would carry extra national sizzle than Colts-Jaguars even if both Philadelphia and Washington lose this weekend.
Ultimately, the outcomes of this weekend's games will influence the final decision. For now, the Inquirer reports that the possibility of an Eagles-Commanders flex is on the radar screen. The deadline arrives on Tuesday, October 20 — the day after Week 6 ends with the Commanders facing the 49ers in Santa Clara.
Via Rob Tornoe of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the NFL is considering moving the Week 8 game between the Eagles and Commanders out of the Sunday night window.
Plenty of factors influence the NFL's decision-making process. One obvious factor becomes the game that would replace it.
In Week 8, it may not be easy to find a game that would attract a larger audience, even if the Commanders lose to the 49ers on Monday night and fall to 1-4-1 and if the Eagles lose to the Panthers on Sunday and slump to 2-4.
Given the apparent rule that at least one game in each division rivalry must be televised in a Sunday afternoon window, Vikings-Lions, Browns-Steelers, and Chiefs-Broncos would seem to be off limits. Steelers-Browns (Week 4) and Broncos-Chiefs (Week 4) previously were televised in prime time, and the Vikings are scheduled to host the Lions on Sunday night in Week 15.
Of course, the league could decide to take the earlier Vikings-Lions game, with a flex of the Week 15 game in Minneapolis into an afternoon window.
Ravens-Bills becomes a possibility, but the Ravens also play the following Thursday night. The league may not want to give the Ravens seven fewer hours or so between games on a short week.
Colts-Jaguars is a possibility; the Jaguars are 4-1 and the Colts should move to 3-3 this weekend with a home game against the 0-5 Titans. The league would need to consider whether Eagles-Commanders would carry extra national sizzle than Colts-Jaguars even if both Philadelphia and Washington lose this weekend.
Ultimately, the outcomes of this weekend's games will influence the final decision. For now, the Inquirer reports that the possibility of an Eagles-Commanders flex is on the radar screen. The deadline arrives on Tuesday, October 20 — the day after Week 6 ends with the Commanders facing the 49ers in Santa Clara.