The Minnesota game is at 4:25

[manchild98]

I'm looking at the espn schedule and it now says game time is 4:25. Seems strange they would move that one to a later start time.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/schedule/_/name/det/detroit-lions

 

[zyxt9]

On the surface it seems odd, but some deep thinking and analyses (ok, not so deep actually) brought me to this conclusion...

After winning second straight on Turkey Day, and with impressive win, the nation is starting to awaken to Lions finally being good - not great, but NFL needs them to appear great....$$$$$$ is the reason

By pushing Min @ Def to more national coverage, NFL is gambling on an even more dominant game to set up their biggest regular season $$$$$$$ game vs Pack in Week 17, where winner is positioned very well in playoffs and NFL generates even more interest in both Lions and Pack for playoffs.

The Bus game is too far away from Pack game and too close to Bears game, while @Bears is repeat of Turkey Day.... so the Min game is best one to gamble on with little to lose but much to gain $$$$$.

Gotta hype up Lions in order to get the big W17 night game revenue. NFL recognizes the $$$$$$ at stake, so Lions will not be getting screwed by refs now through Bears game too. Sure Lions could self destruct, but look for some helpful calls from refs to set this up if necessary (reverse of Cards game).

Lions just need to prove worthy and watch for national approval rating for Lions to skyrocket as the guys in the booth slobber all over how great a job Caldwell has done to change the previous thug mentality (many reports on Suh not being fined this year, etc) and the Lions are suddenly this year's feel good story, coupled with coincidental commentary tying their change to how the city of Detroit has improved (already initiated on Turkey Day).

Lions still need to prove worthy, but it sure will be a nice change from what we've painfully experienced in the recent past.

 

[brewer229]

I hope week 17 doesn't get flexed. Going into Green Bay is bad enough, but going in there for nationally televised game and at night when it's colder, not what you want.

 

[kdp1980]

Bet the Detroit game got moved so fox can televise the gb game at noon instead

 

[tomdalton22]

I doubt it has anything to do with the Lions. Seattle plays SF that same weekend...that will be the game of the week on FOX @ 4:25

 

[lucke]

my thought is that it's going to be an intriguing match-up. Lions are trying to close the gap on GB for the division, while the Vikings have been playing better and are looking to play the part of spoiler.

not sure of the exact reason why, but it works out better for me on the west coast... don't have to wake up at the crack of dawn to get ready for it

 

[inkfreq]

The NFL juggles the schedule of every playoff hopeful every year to get them maximum exposure headed into the playoffs.

We, as Lions fans, just don't notice it, because it really doesn't affect us very often.

 

[mhughes0021]

my thought is that it's going to be an intriguing match-up. Lions are trying to close the gap on GB for the division, while the Vikings have been playing better and are looking to play the part of spoiler.

not sure of the exact reason why, but it works out better for me on the west coast... don't have to wake up at the crack of dawn to get ready for it

Without looking im guessing they flexed a 4pm game to the night game and fox needed another 4 pm option.

 

[tomdalton22]

Without looking im guessing they flexed a 4pm game to the night game and fox needed another 4 pm option.

Dallas & Philly at 8:30 and that was the original game

 

[biggunsbob]

They better still win