NFL
Why are there NFL games today on Saturday, December 21 in week 16?
The Chiefs host the Texans and the Steelers visit the Ravens in the first Saturday games of the 2024 NFL season.
For the first time in 2024, NFL regular season games will be played on a Saturday (December 21) in week 16, with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans (kickoff 1:00 p.m. ET) before the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Baltimore Ravens (4:30 p.m. ET).
Why are there rarely NFL regular season games on Saturdays?
Since the establishment of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, NFL regular season games are rarely played on Fridays or Saturdays.
The agreement prevents pro football games from being broadcast nationally on Friday nights (after 6:00 p.m.) or Saturdays between the second Friday in September and the second Saturday in December, with a view to protecting attendances at high school and college football. Technically, that’s only if the pro game is being played within 75 miles of at least one high school or college game, although that’s almost always the case.
The reason there are two NFL games this Saturday, December 21
With Christmas almost upon us, we are now onto the third Saturday in December, which means the restrictions mentioned are no longer in place. That said, there are three College Football Playoffs games taking place this Saturday, so there is an overlap between college and pro football.
In recent years, the NFL has slated regular games on two Saturdays - a triple header in December and a double header in week 18 - as part of its current television agreement. This year, however, it has extended to three Saturdays despite previously stating it would retain from creating a schedule clash with the College Football Playoffs.
That is mainly down to the fact this year’s Christmas Day games (Chiefs @ Steelers, Texans @ Ravens) are being played on a Wednesday. The NFL typically avoided playing on Wednesday until Netflix stumped up $150 million to broadcast matchups on December 25 for the next three seasons.
As a result, the Chiefs, Texans, Steelers and Ravens must all play this Saturday to have the same turnaround - three days between games - as other teams in the league who are playing Sunday - Thursday.
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