What's Happening?
The Green Bay Packers are set to play against the Arizona Cardinals in a late afternoon game this Sunday. This matchup is part of the second-choice game slot on one of the major television networks, following
an NFC East game between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders, which has been given top billing. The Packers-Cardinals game will be broadcast across the Midwestern United States, particularly in NFC North territory, due to the scheduling of other NFC North teams' games at different times. Fans in areas where the Cowboys-Commanders game is prioritized will need to use NFL Sunday Ticket to watch the Packers-Cardinals game.
Why It's Important?
The scheduling of the Packers-Cardinals game in the late afternoon slot highlights the competitive nature of television broadcasting rights, where games involving larger media markets or divisional intrigue often receive priority. This affects how fans access games, particularly those outside the local broadcast area. The availability of NFL Sunday Ticket as a subscription service provides fans with an alternative to watch out-of-market games, reflecting the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting and fan engagement.
What's Next?
Following the game against the Cardinals, the Packers will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a nationally broadcast Sunday Night Football game. This will be a significant matchup as it marks Aaron Rodgers' first game against the team that drafted him. The Packers' schedule includes several early time slot games leading up to their Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions, which may influence fans' decisions to subscribe to services like NFL Sunday Ticket for broader access.