A couple of years ago, I finally started to pay attention to the fact that not all teams are viewed equally by the NFL schedule-makers. It’s obvious as to why – we all know that money and viewership are what drives these decisions – and yet, I hadn’t really given it much thought.

So when the Detroit Lions knocked the Green Bay Packers out of playoff contention in Week 18 of the 2022 season, they got a win against their rivals, but more importantly, they made a claim for more primetime exposure. The up-and-coming Lions had boasted very few matchups under the lights, but even after missing the playoffs that season, they got to open last season on center stage against the Chiefs. This upcoming season, the Lions are tied with eight other teams for second in primetime games, with five on their schedule. To no one’s surprise, the three teams with six games in a primetime slot are the Jets, 49ers, and Cowboys. What’s the point of all this, you may ask? Well, if the Lions are a recent “rags to riches” type of story in this regard, there are still teams who are being completely ignored by the NFL. Here’s who I think should put the proverbial chip on their shoulder.

Carolina Panthers

NOT! Haha, I’m being mean for no reason, and honestly, I do feel bad. The Panthers are the ONLY team to not currently have a primetime game scheduled. Personally, I am a believer that every team should get a chance to WOW a national audience, but even I cannot really advocate for the Panthers right now. They have a lot more to do before they can feel offended about this. Moving on… here are the teams who DESERVE to feel offended.

Indianapolis Colts

I’m assuming my colleague Kev would agree that this roster is not bad at all. They were a scrappy team last year after their exciting rookie quarterback went out with an injury, and they almost made the playoffs.

Wait, did I just say “exciting rookie quarterback?” Yes. The Colts’ Anthony Richardson has the potential to be one of the more electric playmakers in the league in his second season, and the Colts have one single game in primetime.

I don’t get it. Maybe it’s just because I have Richardson on one of my fantasy teams, but I think they will be a fun team to watch this season. I’m not predicting a Super Bowl victory or anything, but to only have one game when all eyes are on them? Ouch.

Arizona Cardinals

Also, boasting just one fancy game (I feel like I’ve said “primetime” too many times) is our favorite bird team from the desert. And while the Cardinals haven’t done much to earn our respect and admiration recently, football fans deserve to watch Marvin Harrison, Jr. and Trey McBride.

Not to mention, Kyler Murray is an exciting quarterback, and my favorite rookie RB, Trey Benson, is sure to dazzle. So, what’s the deal, NFL? The Cardinals aren’t exciting enough for you? For shame!

Jacksonville Jaguars

I’ll admit this one is a bit of a stretch. The Jags have just two primetime games thus far, though I think that’s too few. I understand that they have not been particularly exciting, and they ruined their chances last season by struggling too much offensively and deciding not to defend the pass.

That said, Trevor Lawrence IS maturing and IS getting better. This is a team that absolutely can compete in the AFC, and I think more casual fans should know about it. They have not had the best off-season, but their draft was fine, and I think Jacksonville has some talent. I would not be surprised if Lawrence progresses yet again, and we watch the Jags compete for the AFC South crown.

What’s The Opposite Of Offended?

The aforementioned teams should indeed feel a tad miffed. However, some teams should feel genuinely lucky to be considered capable of playing in primetime altogether. Here are the teams that should in no way feel offended. Rather, these teams should be counting their lucky stars.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos have subjected fans to downright gross displays for many of their most recent primetime performances. For this, they should be punished.

Denver has two primetime games on the schedule at the moment, and I don’t care how happy you are that Bo Nix and Troy Franklin are reunited; this team is not worthy of the big stage right now. Of course, my ability to reverse jinx teams means that the Broncos will make a surprise run to the playoffs, but they really should just build a fort in the cellar of the AFC West.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints managed to get on the primetime schedule three times for this upcoming season! Three times! For three games, will the rest of the league’s fanbases be subjected to the mountain of mediocrity that is Saints’ football.

Yikes. Again, my ability to curse things in the opposite direction may cause the Saints’ involvement in primetime to be surprisingly entertaining, but this team is barely merging into the middle of the road and should have been treated as such by the schedule makers.

Dallas Cowboys

I’ll start by saying that I like Dak Prescott, I love CeeDee Lamb, and the Cowboys’ defense is really fun to watch. They deserve primetime games. But, along with the Niners and Jets, they lead the league with six games under the lights, and that is a big miss by the NFL.

I know they are one of the most popular teams in the world, but nothing makes me ignore you quicker than when you say they are “America’s team.” (Sidenote: I don’t know who ‘you’ are, but you do!) They have been a good team that has given us plenty of exciting moments in the regular season. However, they have been laughed out of the playoffs like a five-year-old applying for a job at NASA. My point? Give someone else a turn! The Cowboys are good, but be bold, NFL and put someone else in the limelight!

Final Thoughts

The NFL will, and always will, make decisions that make them more money, so ranting like this is not meaningful in any way for anyone other than myself. And yet, it was therapeutic getting this off of my chest.

I realize also that most of the NFL’s scheduling decisions will make sense to most fans, but I thought it was necessary to at least call out some of the egregious oversights. What do you all think? Who should be offended by their lack of primetime participation? Hit me up on X, and be sure to follow all of the great content here on Bite Size Sports.

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