Playoff Schedule

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

I just hope if it is on Saturday it's after 5pm Eastern so I don't have to call in to work with a case of "Patriots Fever"

 

[billdog3484]

all i know is last year my brother and i were in the middle of a beer pong match and by the time we finished it was 14-0. all i hope is that something stupid like that doesnt happen again--oh and, we are pretty good at beer pong. it didnt take all that long to finish

 

[Jackson 2]

I could be remembering wrong, but I'm pretty sure in 2004 the Jets-Steelers played their divisonal playoff game Saturday night. Same with 2006 Colts-Ravens. Those were even numbered years like this year so it wouldn't be a year to year swap, because in 2001/ 2003/2007 we played Saturday night.

Right. Based upon the swap, it looks like 4:30 on Saturday or 1:00 on Sunday. Last year on Saturday, CBS had the 8:00 game am on Sunday they had the 4:30 game on Sunday.

 

[bradybunch]

def hoping for sat night

 

[groundgame]

Maybe an 8 degree Saturday Night at Gilllette with the "Summer Wind" tune playing as a toasty fireplace scene flickers on the Jumbotron.

 

[jmt57]

Right. Based upon the swap, it looks like 4:30 on Saturday or 1:00 on Sunday. Last year on Saturday, CBS had the 8:00 game am on Sunday they had the 4:30 game on Sunday.

I'm guessing just the opposite. I'd say they (NFL and networks) want the better game later each day and the earlier game as a preliminary warmup. So I would think that one of the #1 seeds will play Saturday night, and the other #1 seed will play the late game Sunday. If that's the case then the Pats would play either Saturday night at 8:00 or Sunday at 4:30.

I seem to recall that last year was an anomaly and something happened that threw everybody off with which games were on when for each network - though I can't recall if that was in the wildcard round or the division round.

 

[shmessy]

I'm guessing just the opposite. I'd say they (NFL and networks) want the better game later each day and the earlier game as a preliminary warmup. So I would think that one of the #1 seeds will play Saturday night, and the other #1 seed will play the late game Sunday. If that's the case then the Pats would play either Saturday night at 8:00 or Sunday at 4:30.

I seem to recall that last year was an anomaly and something happened that threw everybody off with which games were on when for each network - though I can't recall if that was in the wildcard round or the division round.

Please, please let it be Saturday night after 8pm.....

Our family will be in Disneyworld for 5 days straddling the vacation weekend and our kids will be off the rides and ready to sleep around 9.

If it's a day game that weekend, I'll want to jump off of Space Mountain.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

I'm guessing just the opposite. I'd say they (NFL and networks) want the better game later each day and the earlier game as a preliminary warmup. So I would think that one of the #1 seeds will play Saturday night, and the other #1 seed will play the late game Sunday. If that's the case then the Pats would play either Saturday night at 8:00 or Sunday at 4:30.

I seem to recall that last year was an anomaly and something happened that threw everybody off with which games were on when for each network - though I can't recall if that was in the wildcard round or the division round.

I certainly could be wrong about this, however, I'd be surprised if the NFL didn't leave itself some flexibility to schedule it's best playoff matchup in the optimum time slot (I assume that is prime time). The Patriots are ratings warriors. The NFL will want the Patriots in prime time.....especially given the good chance they will be playing the Jets or Indy. Provided the NFL hasn't guaranteed, through contract, Fox having the prime time slot, chances are very good for a Saturday night Patriots game.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I just hope if it is on Saturday it's after 5pm Eastern so I don't have to call in to work with a case of "Patriots Fever"

I believe the prescription for that is . . . more Connolly!

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

we will be playing indy or kc on sun jan 16th at 430.. we will not be playin sat, pitt will be playing indy or kc that sat...

 

[blackglass3]

I certainly could be wrong about this, however, I'd be surprised if the NFL didn't leave itself some flexibility to schedule it's best playoff matchup in the optimum time slot (I assume that is prime time). The Patriots are ratings warriors. The NFL will want the Patriots in prime time.....especially given the good chance they will be playing the Jets or Indy. Provided the NFL hasn't guaranteed, through contract, Fox having the prime time slot, chances are very good for a Saturday night Patriots game.

This. They don't switch back and forth like the Championship games, they just go with the highest ratings grabber. I guess if it worked out to Steelers/Ravens, that would be the choice game.

...but if it's Steelers/Ravens, that means it would have to be Patriots/Jets in the other game, right?

 

[jmt57]

This. They don't switch back and forth like the Championship games, they just go with the highest ratings grabber. I guess if it worked out to Steelers/Ravens, that would be the choice game.

...but if it's Steelers/Ravens, that means it would have to be Patriots/Jets in the other game, right?

Correct, they switch back and forth for conference championship games, but there is no absolute set pattern for the other rounds. They're going to have one game from each conference on each day, so if the Steelers/Ravens game is on Saturday then the Pats play Sunday, and visa versa.

Advertising revenue is higher during primetime. Ratings determine the ad revenue, and quarterbacks drive ratings. Therefore it seems to me that the NFL and the networks are more likely to agree to put the Patriots with Tom Brady on during primetime over the Falcons with Matt Ryan. The Eagles (Vick), Saints (Brees) and Colts (Manning) are other possibilities, but I would believe Brady and the Pats would be their first choice.


For the wild card weekend it will be interesting to see what they choose to do. The game that the networks want the least is going to be the one that includes the NFCW winner. NBC has two games Saturday and then they are done for the year. Does the NFL give them that game, or do they give them something better for their last two broadcasts? Fox gets one NFC game that weekend; they would much prefer to have the Eagles game and whoever they are playing because a lot of people are tuning in to watch Michael Vick, rather than the game with St Louis or Seattle. If the NFL gives the Eagles game to NBC then Fox is going to be pissed not only because they get the lesser NFCW game, but also because it would be the fifth time this year NBC got to broadcast an Eagles game. However if NBC does get the Eagles wild card game, would the NFL make it up to Fox by giving them their choice of a primetime Saturday game in the division round?

 

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

I believe the prescription for that is . . . more Connolly!

GUESS WHAT!

I got a fever.....and the only prescription....is more Connolly!

 

[PatsFanSince74]

If I had to guess, I'd bet that Kraft pushes for the Saturday night (1/15) slot if it makes sense from a time zone perspective. It's not his call, but he chairs the Communications committee!

I doubt he has a say in the matter, but why would he do that anyway? His Coach has often said that he thinks it's best to play at 1:00 in the afternoon. The team doesn't earn more money if it's a night game, so, if he expressed an opinion (which I doubt he would), why wouldn't he go with what his HOF HC thinks is best for the team?

As far as I know the game slots are set by Conference in advance based on the TV Contracts and the games are assigned based on time zone.

 

[BrainTrust66]

I doubt he has a say in the matter, but why would he do that anyway? His Coach has often said that he thinks it's best to play at 1:00 in the afternoon. The team doesn't earn more money if it's a night game, so, if he expressed an opinion (which I doubt he would), why wouldn't he go with what his HOF HC thinks is best for the team?

As far as I know the game slots are set by Conference in advance based on the TV Contracts and the games are assigned based on time zone.

If it's based on a pre set schedule then I'll put on my Emily Litella glasses and say "Never mind." No one on the thread has come up with clear evidence either way.

That said, I based this comment on the fact that:

1. They've been in that slot a few times before
2. Kraft likes the spotlight

But you're right, he may have no influence at all. I guess I'll end my participation on this thread by saying, "we'll know when we know."

 

[PatsFanSince74]

...
But you're right, he may have no influence at all. I guess I'll end my participation on this thread by saying, "we'll know when we know."

It is what it is. It will be what it will be.

Happy New Year!

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Correct, they switch back and forth for conference championship games, but there is no absolute set pattern for the other rounds. They're going to have one game from each conference on each day, so if the Steelers/Ravens game is on Saturday then the Pats play Sunday, and visa versa.

Steelers/Ravens over the Patriots on Saturday night? I guess anything is possible, however, I think the Patriots have a date two weeks from Saturday night. Check out these excerpts from a Globe article regarding Patriot game viewership:

"And are the Patriots ever a draw. The list of their ratings feats and records this season is seemingly endless. Here are a few that stand out:"

- (the) 36-7 thumping of the Bears during that perfect-for-TV, snow-globe scene at Soldier Field drew the highest national ratings of any NFL program this season, with a 17.4 household rating.............It was the highest-rated program on television during the week, and just the second NFL game since 2007 to draw more than 30 million viewers nationally, checking in at 30.2 million.

- New England’s 23-20 overtime victory over Baltimore Oct. 17 achieved CBS’s highest household rating (12.8) in a single-game window since the network acquired the AFC package in 1998.

- The Patriots’ 45-3 rout of the Jets on ESPN Dec. 6 was the 10th most-viewed program in cable television history among households.

 

[jmt57]

Steelers/Ravens over the Patriots on Saturday night? I guess anything is possible, however, I think the Patriots have a date two weeks from Saturday night. Check out these excerpts from a Globe article regarding Patriot game viewership:

"And are the Patriots ever a draw. The list of their ratings feats and records this season is seemingly endless. Here are a few that stand out:"

- (the) 36-7 thumping of the Bears during that perfect-for-TV, snow-globe scene at Soldier Field drew the highest national ratings of any NFL program this season, with a 17.4 household rating.............It was the highest-rated program on television during the week, and just the second NFL game since 2007 to draw more than 30 million viewers nationally, checking in at 30.2 million.

- New England’s 23-20 overtime victory over Baltimore Oct. 17 achieved CBS’s highest household rating (12.8) in a single-game window since the network acquired the AFC package in 1998.

- The Patriots’ 45-3 rout of the Jets on ESPN Dec. 6 was the 10th most-viewed program in cable television history among households.

I didn't think I came across as implying that the NFL would put the Steelers on Saturday night over the Pats. Blackglass was simply pointing out that it's all about ratings and there is not set pattern. I agreed, and said the only set pattern is in regards to alternating who plays the early and late conference championship games.

I was also saying that there would be one game from each conference each day. In other words if the Steelers played sometime Saturday (such as the early Saturday game), the Pats would play sometime Sunday (e.g., late Sunday), and visa versa. If the Steelers were to play Saturday, that does not guarantee they play Saturday night.

For the reasons you listed above, and the ones I listed in the second paragraph of my previous comment I do agree that it is most likely that the Pats play Saturday night.

I agree if it's an AFC game Saturday night it would have to be the Pats, not the AFCN winner.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

I didn't think I came across as implying that the NFL would put the Steelers on Saturday night over the Pats. Blackglass was simply pointing out that it's all about ratings and there is not set pattern. I agreed, and said the only set pattern is in regards to alternating who plays the early and late conference championship games.

I was also saying that there would be one game from each conference each day. In other words if the Steelers played sometime Saturday (such as the early Saturday game), the Pats would play sometime Sunday (e.g., late Sunday), and visa versa. If the Steelers were to play Saturday, that does not guarantee they play Saturday night.

For the reasons you listed above, and the ones I listed in the second paragraph of my previous comment I do agree that it is most likely that the Pats play Saturday night.

I agree if it's an AFC game Saturday night it would have to be the Pats, not the AFCN winner.

My mistake, you did not imply Steelers/Ravens over the Patriots. My overall point is if contractual obligations don't require a specific conference play in a specific time slot, the Patriots are very likely to be the Saturday night game (the choice seems an easy one considering the Patriot viewership numbers).

 

[Patsrock]

Since the NFL Started the Saturday night game in the 2001-02 playoffs,they have rotated the schedule.

2002-CBS(Pats vs Oak) Sun AFC 1:00
2003-Fox(Phl vs ATL) Sun AFC 4:30
2004-CBS(NE vs Ten) Sun AFC 1:00
2005-Fox(Atl vs STL) Sun AFC 4:30
2006 CBS(Den vs NE) Sun AFC 1:00
2007 Fox(NO vs Phl) Sun AFC 4:30
2008 CBS(NE vs Jx) Sun AFC 1:00
2009 Fox(AZ vs Car) Sun AFC 4:30
2010 CBS (Indy vs Bal) Sun AFC 4:30

So based on this rotation I would expect to play either 4:30 Saturday night or Sunday at 1pm. Other than last yr what ever network had the Sat night game, had the early Sunday game. Last year changed because SD could only play either the Sat night, or late Sunday game. Since CBS has had the last Sun game the past 2 season, I think Fox gets it this year.