The excitement of Sunday NFL games is unmatched, with fans eagerly awaiting the kickoff of their favorite teams’ matches. For those planning their weekend around football, understanding the schedule is crucial. The start times of NFL games on Sundays can vary, but there’s a general pattern to when you can expect the action to begin.
Early Games
Typically, the early set of games on Sundays kicks off at 1:00 PM ET. This time slot often features a multitude of games, including several matchups that are regionally broadcasted, meaning the specific games you can watch depend on your location and the teams that are considered local to your area. Some of these games might be broadcast on CBS, while others are shown on FOX, depending on the teams involved and their respective conferences.
Late Afternoon Games
Following the early games, there’s usually a late afternoon set of matchups that kick off at 4:05 PM ET or 4:25 PM ET. These games can include more prominent matchups or teams that are currently performing well in the season, drawing larger national audiences. Games in this time slot are also divided between CBS and FOX, with the networks often getting the top matchups based on the teams’ current standing and historical viewership numbers.
Sunday Night Football
Rounding out the Sunday schedule is the highly anticipated “Sunday Night Football” (SNF) game, which kicks off at 8:20 PM ET. Broadcast by NBC, SNF features some of the most compelling matchups of the week, often including teams that are leading their divisions or are playoff contenders. TheLate kickoff allows for a primetime audience and is typically one of the most-watched games of the week.
Flex Scheduling
It’s worth noting that the NFL employs a flex scheduling system for Sunday Night Football games, starting from Week 5 through Week 18. This means that the league can adjust the SNF matchup to ensure the most competitive or compelling game is played in the primetime slot, based on the current season standings and team performances up to that point.
Monday Night Football
Although not part of the traditional Sunday schedule, Monday Night Football (MNF) is another key part of the NFL’s weekly schedule. Kickoff for MNF games is at 8:15 PM ET, broadcast by ESPN. It serves as a bookend to the week’s NFL action, providing an additional primetime matchup that can significantly impact the standings and playoff picture.
Planning Your NFL Sunday
For fans planning their day around football, knowing these kickoff times is essential. Whether you’re heading out to watch games with friends, hosting a viewing party, or simply enjoying the matchups from the comfort of your home, the NFL’s Sunday schedule offers a full day of entertainment. Between the early games, late afternoon contests, and the marquee Sunday Night Football matchup, there’s no shortage of excitement for football enthusiasts.
What time do early NFL games start on Sunday?
+The early games on Sundays typically kick off at 1:00 PM ET.
What is the start time for late afternoon NFL games on Sundays?
+Late afternoon games usually start at 4:05 PM ET or 4:25 PM ET.
At what time does Sunday Night Football start?
+Sunday Night Football kicks off at 8:20 PM ET, broadcast by NBC.
What is flex scheduling in the NFL?
+Flex scheduling allows the NFL to adjust the Sunday Night Football matchup from Week 5 onwards to feature the most competitive games based on current season performances.
In conclusion, the NFL’s Sunday schedule offers a diverse range of games, from the early matchups that set the tone for the day to the late afternoon and primetime games that cap off the weekend’s football action. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of a particular team or just enjoy the sport, understanding the kickoff times can help you plan and make the most of your NFL Sundays.
