The Power Of The Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles And Michael Vick

by Joel Thorman on Dec 15, 2010 8:02 AM CST in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

A couple of weeks ago the NFL announced that last Sunday's game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys would remain on Sunday Night Football and it would not be flexed out in favor of another game.

This affected Kansas City Chiefs fans who wanted to see the San Diego Chargers game flexed into Sunday Night Football that week. The Eagles-Cowboys game featured one team that was out of the playoff race (Cowboys) while the Chiefs-Chargers game had major AFC West and playoff implications.

Here's why the Chiefs game wasn't flexed in: The Eagles-Cowboys game generated 25.73 million viewers which tops the Minnesota Vikings-Green Bay Packers October game as the most viewed in the history of Sunday Night Football.

Yes, Michael Vick, the Eagles and a four-win Cowboys team is a more attractive draw than the biggest game in the AFC West this season.

So when you're wondering why the Chiefs are low on the totem pole when it comes to flexing games into primetime, that's why. The Chiefs -- and most other teams -- simply can't draw ratings like Vick, the Eagles and the Cowboys can. In fact, the NFL announced this week that they Vick and the Eagles were being flexed back into primetime for the sixth time this year in Week 16.

The only other chance at a flex game for the Chiefs comes in Week 17 when they play the Raiders. If that's a win-and-you're-in situation, it has a chance to be flexed. Other win-and-you're-in possibilities include Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I dont live in the local viewing area anymore.

I love the Chiefs and look forward to seeing them every chance I get. I have to get NFL Sunday Ticket next year cause I missed way to many games this year. Every 28 days I switch weekends off with a co-worker so I didnt get the ticket this year. Without the ticket I had to listen to the game on 101 the fox (thanks Joel for posting that link every week). I am glad the SD-KC game wasnt flexed, it was bad enough having to hear about it from my coworkers. Most of them are Donkey fans so didnt take much to slam there team that the team themselves havent already done! Excited to hear that I at least get to watch the RAMS – CHIEFS game this weekend.

Off season - Trade ARIZONA enough to get Fitzgerald (thanks Eyepod for free agent status)w/o destroying our draft (thanks Texas Chief)
NFL DRAFT
Pick 1 - Cameron Heyward DE Ohio State (Team Captain)
Pick 2 - Jerrel Powe NT Mississippi (Team Captain)
Pick 3 - Demarcus Love OT - Arkansas (Team Captain)
Pick 4 - Edmund Gates WR - Abilene Christian (Team Captain)
Picks 5,6,7 may lose some of these in trade for Fitzgerald and/or backup QB
"Individuals go to Pro Bowls, teams win championships" (Scott Pioli)
"Everyone has a plan 'til they get punched in the mouth" (Mike Tyson)

by Pixel_Junkie on Dec 15, 2010 8:11 AM CST reply actions

The Cowboys crumbling is always good ratings

by dragon6172 on Dec 15, 2010 8:14 AM CST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

I could see the Saints, Bucs game getting flexed over us.

The Saints will draw more ratings, even though Chiefs vs Raiders IS AN NFL CLASSIC!

Ever seen the movie Green Street Hooligans? That's how I feel about my Chiefs.

by zyker on Dec 15, 2010 8:17 AM CST reply actions

Sign of the times my friends.

Those ratings fall right in line with the fan pro bowl voting so far.
Leading that vote is Vick.

The other thing factoring in is NFL marketing.
Where will that Super Bowl be?
Yes, Jones Palace.
Who heads the broadcast committee?
Jerry Jones, the engine behind the NFL network.

In many ways it goes against much of what Lamar Hunt stood for.
Exposure across the entire league.

by BCRavenJHawkfan on Dec 15, 2010 8:29 AM CST reply actions

No love.

Based on the way the media covers, I would guess that the flex order would be the Buccaneers/Saints, Bears/Packers, THEN Chiefs/Raiders. Small market team, and no love whatsoever. Even my girlfriend said the other day that the Chiefs must be the only first place team other than St. Louis that gets no coverage by the national media. Sad, but it is what it is.

My son was born an hour after Glenn Dorsey was drafted - and yes, I watched the draft from the hospital - and yes, I am now divorced.

by CDN Chief on Dec 15, 2010 8:32 AM CST reply actions

Cry me a river

The Chiefs haven’t done shit for years, no playoffs wins, nothing. The Packers are a small market team but they’ve won a Super Bowl or two in most fans’ lifetime. Building a winning team and the media will follow.

by MGDog on Dec 15, 2010 11:09 AM CST up reply actions

Based on what happened in SD,

thank God it wasn’t flexed.

by Fidelis86 on Dec 15, 2010 9:15 AM CST reply actions 2 recs

^^^^^^^^^^

Yes

Hate Week!!

by tigers and chiefs fan on Dec 15, 2010 10:12 AM CST up reply actions

Meh, I like noon games the best anyway

I don’t comment on this site for the people that are against me and think that I can’t do it. I comment for the people that have always believed in me. I comment for my family, for my wife, for my mother so it really comes down to that.

by HIV 2 Elway on Dec 15, 2010 9:24 AM CST reply actions