Getty A New York Jets fans expressing his displeasure with something happening during a game.
Back in May when the 2022 NFL schedule was released the New York Jets received only one prime-time game.
A Week 16 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars against a former No. 1 overall pick in Trevor Lawrence. However, there was always the possibility that a future game could be flexed if they played better than people expected.
The Jets Get Blocked by CBS
With the Jets at 7-4 and in the thick of the AFC playoff race, they have played above expectations.
That opened the door for their upcoming Week 14 rematch with the Buffalo Bills to be flexed from its 1:00 pm timeslot to Sunday Night Football.
However, according to Connor Hughes of SNY, CBS decided to “protect” the game which prevented it from being flexed.
It is a complicated formula but networks are allowed to block games from being flexed. In other words, NBC for instance can’t just cherry-pick the best matchup on a week-to-week basis for a flex opportunity.
One fan said, “they can protect games? That’s stupid.”
@Connor_J_Hughes They can protect games? That’s stupid.
Since they couldn’t get the Jets-Bills rematch, NBC opted for a different AFC clash.
The NFL flexed the Miami Dolphins versus the Los Angeles Chargers matchup on Sunday, December 11. That replaces the originally scheduled Kansas City Chiefs versus Denver Broncos matchup.
The NFL has flexed Dolphins-Chargers into the primetime slate on Sunday, December 11
Chiefs vs. Broncos was originally scheduled for that time
NFL Schedule Makers Don’t Help Jets Out
Peter King of NBC pointed out an odd scheduling quirk that is going against the Jets over the next two weeks.
“I think this little quirk of the schedule would bug me if I’m the Jets. New York plays regular-rest road games at Minnesota and at Buffalo the next two Sundays. The Vikings have 10 days between their Thanksgiving game and the game with the Jets. The Bills have 10 days between their Thursday game (this week) and their Dec. 11 games with the Jets. Once, okay. Twice? In a row? The Jets are playing not only better teams but significantly more rested teams.”
.@peter_king pointed out scheduling quirk against #Jets:
“It would bug me. NY plays regular-rest road games #SKOL + #BillsMafia next 2 Sundays. #Vikings & #Bills have 10 days rest. Once, okay. Twice? In a row? NYJ is playing not only better teams but more rested teams.”
So not only are the Jets playing two of the best teams in the NFL over the next two weeks in the Minnesota Vikings (9-2) and the Buffalo Bills (8-3). They’re playing them on additional rest.
This isn’t the first time the Jets have dealt with this sort of thing before.
In back-to-back weeks earlier this season, the Jets played a pair of opponents who had 10-day rest heading into their game. While Gang Green simply had normal rest heading into the game.
The Jets traveled to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4 who played on Thursday Night Football the week prior.
Gang Green also hosted the Miami Dolphins in Week 5 at MetLife Stadium, who also previously played on Thursday Night Football the week prior.
The good news is the Jets overcame that obstacle and won both of those contests. So Gang Green knows they can do it, they’ll just have to find a way to do it again.
Both of these are pivotal matchups in the playoff race and the evaluation of quarterback Mike White. If he wins one or both of these matchups that could lock him in as QB1 for the rest of the 2022 season.