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The NFL will not flex Week 14’s game between the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers despite the matchup’s big playoff implications, the Saints announced Monday. Right now, the 49ers are the projected top seed in the NFC playoff picture, while the Saints trail them by a game. A head-to-head win would give the Saints a tiebreaker should both teams finish the season with the same record, guaranteeing the road to Super Bowl LIV runs through New Orleans.
It’s a shame that the NFL is keeping the game in its early afternoon time slot, which means a noon kickoff in the central time zone. The game won’t reach as many viewers as it would in more prominent time slots. CBS is likely to feature the Kansas City Chiefs’ visit with the New England Patriots in the late afternoon slot, while Sunday Night Football is scheduled to show the Seattle Seahawks’ road game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Keeping the Rams in prime-time is a puzzling decision to say the least. They’re a distant third-place in their own division at 6-4, and could very well see their season end against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. In three night games this season, Rams quarterback Jared Goff has completed a combined 61% of his throws while scoring three touchdown passes against four interceptions. If he continues to play poorly, L.A. is at real risk of missing the playoffs after losing last year’s Super Bowl.
All of that said, it benefits the Saints to host the 49ers earlier in the day. West Coast teams have to adjust to an abbreviated schedule on game days when moving out east, forcing them to wake up earlier or risk having fewer hours with which to prepare. Considering how dominantly San Francisco is playing right now, Saints fans should hope for any advantage they can get.
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