Quote:Also, the Falcons-Panthers game is the only head-to-head elimination game of the weekend.  The NFL wants as many households getting this type of game as possible since it is essentially a playoff game.  I would expect most of the country to see this game on CBS instead of the Raiders-Broncos game.  In my opinion, the Falcons-Panthers game would have been a better choice for Sunday night because of the elimination factor, though I know that prime time Steelers games are likely a better draw nationally.

 

NBC did it right. Although both the Bengals and Steelers clinched playoff spots already most people would rather watch their battle for the AFC North title than two losing teams who are only in playoff contention because of the division they are in. The Steelers are more popular nationwide than the Panthers and Falcons. I think if NBC had selected a different game, it would have been the Packers and Lions.

---