The Washington Commanders' surprising season continues to add twists and turns. Back in training camp in July, the thought of them flirting with a playoff berth would have been laughable. But don't look now, they are also must-see TV.
The 9-5 Commanders are closing in the franchise's first postseason berth since 2020, and they might clinch on primetime before a national audience. In an effort to move the biggest games to its biggest stages, the NFL is "flexing" its schedule and moving Washington's Dec. 29 game from a Noon kickoff to NBC's Sunday Night Football.
The Commanders will host the Atlanta Falcons, who are also fighting for a playoff berth and this weekend benched veteran starting quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix. Washington has been led all year by its sensational rookie, Jayden Daniels.
The Commanders are 1-1 on stand-alone games this season, beating the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football in Week 3 before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football on Nov. 14.
That game replaces the previously scheduled contest between the visiting 6-8 Miami Dolphins and 3-11 Cleveland Browns. It has been moved to 4 p.m.
The NFL announced also the schedule for the Week 17 games to be played on Saturday, Dec. 28.
The Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) will kick off the festivities with a visit to the New England Patriots (3-11) at 1 p.m. ET in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The Denver Broncos (9-5) will visit the Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) at 4:30 p.m. ET, and the Arizona Cardinals (7-7) will challenge the host Los Angeles Rams (8-6) in a key NFC West clash at 8 p.m. ET in Inglewood, California.
