NBC implemented their flex option in switching off the originally scheduled game for their Sunday night telecast, the Cleveland Browns at the Cincinnati Bengals, to the matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys.
It is an interesting choice.
Now, for those of us old enough to remember when local television only broadcast your team’s away games and the national broadcast featured the Dallas Cowboys as often as an advertisement for a beer, the Cowboys being a choice this season is a recent revelation. The Cowboys became America’s Team with the extensive exposure in the 60’s and 70’s, but this year FOX was bemoaning the fact that their featured Thanksgiving game had two teams going nowhere this season, the Cowboys and New York Giants.
Now, four weeks later, NBC is choosing the Cowboys to put in their primetime spot.
Or perhaps, more accurately stated, the network is choosing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to spotlight tonight. After all, Tampa Bay Quarterback Baker Mayfield is worth the price of admission. This kid has an infectious attitude that both his teammates and fans respond to, and his opponents detest. Trust me, everyone who has ever opposed Mayfield would like to cold cock him given the chance.
That is a compliment to his competitive spirit.