When the NFL regular-season schedule is released, expect the Thursday night games in the first half of the season to look better than the Thursday night games in the second half of the season.

 

That’s because the NFL plans to give CBS, its new broadcast partner for Thursday nights in the first half of the season, a great package of games to start the season. SportsBusiness Journal reports that the CBS games will be much stronger than ESPN’s Monday Night Football package and much stronger than the Thursday night games in the second half of the season.

 

NFL expected to give CBS marquee Thursday night games | ProFootballTalk

Early in the season the NFL TV schedule should rock.

That's great. It's still a slap in the face of MNF for them to constantly give them below average games while bending over backwards to make sure that NBC gets marquee games.

That's great. It's still a slap in the face of MNF for them to constantly give them below average games while bending over backwards to make sure that NBC gets marquee games.

 

This is CBS though...

This is CBS though...

 

I know. I'm saying that this is basically piling on to that. But I see I probably didn't phrase it properly.

 

I think it's a joke that MNF has been treated like crap while SNF has been given every top matchup it wants. And now TNF will get a strong slate as well. I'm happy that the TNF games will be watchable, but I just don't understand why MNF gets the short end of the stick all the time.

I know. I'm saying that this is basically piling on to that. But I see I probably didn't phrase it properly. I think it's a joke that MNF has been treated like crap while SNF has been given every top matchup it wants. And now TNF will get a strong slate as well. I'm happy that the TNF games will be watchable' date=' but I just don't understand why MNF gets the short end of the stick all the time.[/quote']

 

I don't know either.

 

My problem is they're watering down their product.

 

I wish it would go back to Sunday at 1 and 4, Sunday and Monday night and Thursday thanksgiving games.

 

No need for all these Thursday/Saturday night games.

I believe this means that ESPN will have to pony up more money for Monday night games in the future. The more you pay, the better games and better flexibility you get. I see this as the NFL turning it around on the networks.

Doesn't matter to me, I'll still pass on most of them. Thursday night is college and high school football night for me. I already give the NFL all day Sunday and Monday nights. That's all they'll get from me most weeks.

I on the other hand love Thursday night games and think the NFL has it just right at this point with no more expansion to other days/nights of the week.

I don't know either.

 

My problem is they're watering down their product.

 

I wish it would go back to Sunday at 1 and 4, Sunday and Monday night and Thursday thanksgiving games.

 

No need for all these Thursday/Saturday night games.

 

I don't see how it's watering the product down. The product isn't changing, just because there are more games on tv, the quality of play isn't affected. In fact I think the Thursday games helps teams a little. While you play on a short week, the extra days off after the game are kind of a second bye, giving teams a chance to recharge and get healthy one other time during the season. Sure there might be some bad games on TV now, but that chance always existed, and at least with more games, there is a better chance to see a good game. With fantasy football, people enjoy the chance to see their players perform, and with more nights of football, the less restricted you are by your local schedule...the Bengals only play so many teams. More chances to see the best players and teams. Just think about a time not too long ago when the Bengals were terrible....you were stuck watching bad football most of the time.

 

If you don't want to watch games on Thursday or Saturday, no one is forcing you to do so. But if you're a football fan, and there is a great matchup on a Thursday night, I'll bet you're watching it and not complaining about too much football. If it get's terrible ratings, the networks will get rid of it.

Doesn't matter to me, I'll still pass on most of them. Thursday night is college and high school football night for me. I already give the NFL all day Sunday and Monday nights. That's all they'll get from me most weeks.

 

Except, if you're a true fan, when your favorite team plays. Or two division leaders are playing, or when a playoff birth is at stake. Lots of opportunities.

It really matters little to me. For the most part, unless the Bucs or Bengals are playing, I'm watching college football over the NFL, regardless of the schools involved.

It really matters little to me. For the most part, unless the Bucs or Bengals are playing, I'm watching college football over the NFL, regardless of the schools involved.

 

I'm in the same place. For the most part, I only watch Vikings games until the playoffs. I'll check in on the Bengals from time to time.

That's great. It's still a slap in the face of MNF for them to constantly give them below average games while bending over backwards to make sure that NBC gets marquee games.

 

They do appear to get lower quality games but I think it is appropriate. I think ESPN coverage, announcers are 2nd quality next to some of the networks. Listening to Berman, Tirico and the like is brutal.

I maintain if you are a true fan of any NFL team you can always find a rooting interest that helps your team no matter what other two teams are playing.