For the first time in league history, NFL We’re featuring a “Thursday Night Football” game.
that cleveland browns The Cincinnati Bengals were scheduled to play Thursday night in Week 16, but the NFL replaced that matchup with the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers.
This change is unprecedented, as team preparation varies tremendously between Thursday and Sunday games.
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell holds a press conference ahead of the Super Bowl game held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 5, 2024. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Teams and players generally do not like to play on Thursdays because of the lack of recovery time and preparation that can lead to injuries.
The Browns won. Pittsburgh Steelers 24-19 Thursday improves to 3-8 and closer to being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft than playoff contention.
bengalsDespite Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase playing well, they are 4-7 and have an uphill climb to make the playoffs.
JK Dobbins of the Los Angeles Chargers is congratulated by head coach Jim Harbaugh after scoring a second-half goal against the Las Vegas Raiders on September 8, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
charger (7-3) and the Broncos (6-5) both clinch playoff spots in the AFC, and their Week 16 matchup could be pivotal in determining seeding, not to mention better ratings for the NFL.
Current AFC seeding:
1. Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
4. Houston Texans (7-4)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
6. baltimore ravens (7-4)
7. Denver Broncos (6-5)
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Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton watches players engage in drills during training camp July 27, 2023, in Centennial, Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
that Indianapolis Colts (5-6) and the Miami Dolphins (4-6) are on the outside looking in.
The Chargers are scheduled to return home for a Thursday night game against the Broncos on December 19th. Both teams were at home last week, which could be another reason the NFL changed its schedule.
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