Despite the fact that the Miami Dolphins are one of the NFL’s hottest teams, they just received perhaps the most disheartening news of their season..specifically for their fans.
The Dolphins are currently in a purple patch, winning four of their past five games and sit at one game under .500. They are now only two games back of Houston for the final AFC wild card spot with four games to go. They get a pair of AFC North matchups coming up starting this week as they go to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers. However, it’s what has happened with the second game in that slate that will frustrate Dolphins fans.
NFL Flex Decision Sparks Fan Frustration
The NFL was scheduled to have the Dolphins play the Cincinnati Bengals at home for Sunday Night Football. Most importantly, it was one of the only opportunities for local fans to see their team get national exposure outside of the Monday Night game. However, the NFL recently decided to flex the game out of its primetime slot, and replace it with the Patriots playing the Ravens.
Because of this abrupt change, the Dolphins will be forced to play in the one o’clock window yet again in lieu of an AFC East rival. Sure, the game could end up being highly important. The Patriots could be fighting for the No. 1 seed overall in the AFC, while the Ravens will be fighting for a playoff spot as well, in a similar position as the Dolphins.
This came as a somewhat curious decision, as the deadline for flexing games on Sunday nights between Weeks 14 and 17 are different than between Weeks 10 and 13. For Weeks 14-17, it’s six days in advance, while Weeks 10-13 are 12. The NFL’s decision to flex the game a week before the deadline was solely to allow fans and employees of all four teams to settle new accommodations for the different times.
A Familiar Pattern for Dolphins
This is not the first time the Dolphins have been in this situation however. Last year, they were flexed out of a Week 17 game agains the Browns due to both teams having disappointing years. This is somewhat the case for the Dolphins and Bengals this year as well, but at least the Fins may have a shot should they win out.
After the Bengals game, the Dolphins will be in the one o’clock slot at home against the Bucs in a regional broadcast. Their final game of the year against the Patriots will either be played on Sunday, Jan. 4 at 1 pm or 4:25 or will be moved to one of the primetime slots on Saturday as ESPn will host two games on the network.
One consolation for Dolphins fans could be the fact that unless their season finale gets moved to Jan 3rd, they will have ended the season with full straight national games played: the Thursday nighters against the Bills and Ravens, Monday nighters against the Jets and Steelers, and their game in Madrid against the Washington Commanders. While it won’t include a Sunday Night contest, the Dolphins should be happy with their season’s primetime haul.
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