Week 6 of the 2023 NFL season has its first schedule change as part of the league’s new flex-scheduling process. First up is a battle of two NFC division leaders.
From the current NFL standings to team depth charts to coverage of every game in the 18-week NFL schedule, we have all the news from around the league to keep you up to speed!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions Given New Time Slot in Week 6
Officially flexed to 4:25 p.m. ET on Oct. 12, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions will become an afternoon game for FOX.
In all likelihood, this officially cements the battle of current division leaders as the “America’s Game of the Week” for the network. The contest was originally slated to be an early afternoon contest set for 1:25 p.m. ET.
Both the Buccaneers and Lions, though, have become fast starters out of the gate through the first four games of the season.
How Did Both Teams Get to This Point
Both teams are a combined 6-2 overall at this point of the year.
The Bucs, in their first season without Tom Brady at quarterback, have started 3-1 with Baker Mayfield behind center. Tampa earned sole possession of first in the NFC South through a dominating 26-9 win over the New Orleans Saints.
Tampa immediately redeemed itself from its 25-11 defeat at the hands of the now 4-0 Philadelphia Eagles. But the Bucs turned to Mayfield’s three touchdown passes and a stifling defense that allowed just 197 total yards in the road win over the Saints.
The Lions, meanwhile, began the year proving they’re built to beat defending Super Bowl champions, edging the Kansas City Chiefs 21-20 at Arrowhead Stadium to start the year. Since then, Detroit, under third-year head coach Dan Campbell, has beaten both of its opponents by double digits — 20-6 over the Atlanta Falcons and 34-20 over the Green Bay Packers.
Against the Packers at Lambeau Field, the Lions turned to the power running of David Montgomery to wear down Green Bay, as Montgomery rumbled for 32 carries, 121 yards, and crossed the end zone three times in the 14-point win.
NFL’s New Flex Format
Again, this schedule switch is part of the NFL’s newest flex-scheduling mantra. Now, every network, including FOX, can take part in flexing a game of high intrigue.
Now, the league can announce a schedule switch by Week 5 of the season rather than the halfway point, which starts in November.
Meanwhile, the battle between the Denver Broncos and Chiefs will remain on Amazon Prime as its Thursday Night Football showdown.
