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The New England Patriots host the Denver Broncos in Week 5, and the game is going to get a wider viewing audience. The NFL announced on Monday it is flexing the game from 1 p.m. on CBS to 4:25 p.m. on CBS.
The NFL broadcasts fewer games in the 4:05/4:25 p.m. slot and this one could become the “Game of the Week” on CBS. Prior to the move, CBS was airing Colts-Browns and Giants-Cowboys in the 4:25 p.m. slot. The Colts-Browns game could potentially end up with the wider broadcast map if Cleveland can stay on track. However, odds are decent Cam Newton and the Patriots will get a national audience that week.
Week 5 is the first week the NFL can flex games on its Sunday schedule. The league is sticking with Vikings-Seahawks for Sunday Night Football, and this Broncos-Patriots move is the only game getting a time change.
We know Patriots fans have struggled finding opportunities to watch their team on television, so I’m glad the NFL is appeasing a long ignored fanbase.