The NFL just made history with its first-ever Thursday night flex, swapping out the Week 16 showdown between the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals for a matchup featuring the Denver Broncos at the Los Angeles Chargers. This move arrives just a week before the Miami Dolphins are slated to face the Browns under the bright lights of Sunday night football on December 29.
Now, while one might think the Dolphins-Browns matchup is ripe for a similar swap, there’s more to consider here. The NFL’s rules require that flexing out a Thursday night game needs a 28-day notice, whereas a decision on a Sunday night game only needs to be made six days in advance.
Right now, with the Dolphins sitting at 4-6 and the Browns at 3-8, the allure might not be there. But if the Dolphins manage to improve to an 8-7 record closer to decision day, well, that changes things considerably.
But, let’s not dismiss another factor that could keep the Dolphins-Browns under those Sunday night lights: the enchanting possibility of a snow game. Last night’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers by the Browns, 24-19, gave fans a snowy spectacle that lights up the charm of football in wintry weather. That very allure might be why the NFL kept the unappealing Week 13 Monday night Browns showdown with Denver as is, despite possible flex options.
If the snow decides to grace Cleveland on December 29, it might just be enough to keep the Dolphins-Browns matchup in its prime slot. However, it’s not just about the weather.
The weekend lineup also seems to lack head-turning matchups. With three TBD slots vying for attention, including Denver at Cincinnati, Arizona at the Rams, and Atlanta at Washington, the options are slim.
The national doubleheader featuring Dallas at Philadelphia at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX also hangs in the balance; the Cowboys’ current struggles could prompt a swap for Green Bay at Minnesota.
This scarcity of prime-time contention leaves Sunday’s potential lineup sparse, with Kansas City at Pittsburgh and Baltimore at Houston locked for Christmas Day, while Detroit visits San Francisco under Monday night’s glow.
Let’s break down Miami’s remaining schedule for any red flags or potential flexes:
- Nov. 28 at Green Bay: Thanksgiving night at Lambeau Field is an unmovable feast.
- **Dec. 8 vs.
N.Y. Jets:** Flexing this to Sunday night is off the table.
The Chiefs vs. Chargers matchup won’t budge.
- Dec. 15 at Houston: While Green Bay vs. Seattle is the slated Sunday night game and unlikely to be flexed, two Monday night games—Chicago at Minnesota and Atlanta at Vegas—aren’t exactly headliners.
Were the Dolphins to surge to a 6-6 record by clinching victories over New England and at Green Bay, this could be a dark horse candidate for Monday night flexing, with a decision deadline looming on December 3.
- **Dec. 22 vs.
San Francisco:** Already ready for the national doubleheader stage at 4:25 p.m.; no prime-time moves here.
- Dec. 29 at Cleveland: As previously dissected, much hinges on records—and perhaps, snowfall.
- Jan. 4-5 at N.Y. Jets: With the league eyeing games with playoff stakes for broadcast on the first Saturday of the new year, the Jets’ 3-8 standing pushes this one towards a Sunday afternoon slot.
In the dance of NFL scheduling, every move can alter the offense, defense, and all the fan excitement in-between. And the Dolphins, positioned among the pawns and power players, continue to be a team worth watching as the season unfolds.