How does NFL flex scheduling work? Explaining the new rules for NBC, ESPN and Amazon games in 2023 | Sporting News (2024)

Among the most appealing NFL changes entering the 2023 season were new rules regarding flex scheduling, which expanded the league's ability to swap out prime-time games as necessary.

The intention was simple: relaxed rules would allow more consequential games to be played in standalone slots throughout the season.

As the NFL moves past its midway point, some fans are beginning to wonder where all of those games are. The Week 10 prime-time slate is especially dull, starting with a matchup between the one-win Panthers and two-win Bears before rolling right into a "Sunday Night Football" battle between dismal offense from the Jets and Raiders.

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The NFL can't freely flex any game it wants, but at this stage of the season, the league is beginning to have options.

Here's all you need to know about the NFL's flex scheduling rules and when games can start to be shuffled around.

How does NFL flex scheduling work?

Flex scheduling allows the NFL to swap out a scheduled prime-time game with another game "to ensure quality matchups" in those slots, according to the league website.

The NFL launched flex scheduling exclusively for "Sunday Night Football" in 2006 in an effort to have competitive and consequential matchups in the most significant slots. Starting this season, flex scheduling has been expanded to include "Thursday Night Football" and "Monday Night Football."

The league can't simply decide a few days before a game that it wants to change the schedule, nor can it freely swap out a "Sunday Night Football" game each week. There are still rules that protect certain weeks and require the NFL to give teams ample notice before making a change.

Those are some reasons why games aren't flexed in or out very often. Still, standalone games are king, and by expanding the rules, the NFL is showing that it will do what it takes to make prime-time slots more watchable.

Here's a closer look at the flex rules for prime-time games on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday during the season.

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NFL flex schedule rules

Thursday Night Football

For the first time, the NFL can flex games into the "Thursday Night Football" slot. Starting in 2023, the flex can be used twice between Weeks 13-17. That means any "Thursday Night Football" games before Nov. 30, such as Panthers vs. Bears in Week 10, are still off limits.

"Thursday Night Football" games must be flexed much earlier than other slots, as the league says it must make a decision no later than 28 days before a game.

Sunday Night Football

"Sunday Night Football" remains the most flexible prime-time slot when it comes to flex scheduling.

Up to three games may be flexed into the "Sunday Night Football" slot between Weeks 5-14. Then, from Weeks 15-17, the NFL may flex games at its discretion without limitations.

Additionally, the NFL annually does not schedule a "Sunday Night Football" game for Week 18 and instead flexes a consequential game into the slot to serve as the final regular season game of the year.

"Sunday Night Football" flex decisions must be announced at least 12 days before a game between Weeks 5-13 and at least six days before a game from Weeks 14-17.

Through Week 10, the NFL has not flexed any game out of the "Sunday Night Football" slot, despite lopsided matchups such as Giants vs. Bills and Bears vs. Chargers. Because of the rules, the league could have swapped out either of those games.

Monday Night Football

"Monday Night Football" games are also now subject to flex scheduling, but only during a limited window. The NFL can flex games into the slot at its discretion between Weeks 12-17, meaning there is no limit on the amount of times a change can be made during that period.

The NFL must announce a "Monday Night Football" flex decision no later than 12 days before the game.

With Bears vs. Vikings and Packers vs. Giants among the "Monday Night Football" matchups in those weeks, it's certainly possible the NFL uses its first Monday night flex in 2023.

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Sunday afternoon games

While such a move wouldn't receive as much attention, the NFL has the right to shuffle games around from 1 p.m. ET to 4 or 4:25 p.m. ET. This is most common in Week 18, when the NFL arranges the schedule to avoid a team entering the day in playoff contention but getting eliminated before taking the field.

Thursday Night Football schedule 2023

Sunday Night Football Schedule 2023

Monday Night Football schedule 2023