The NFL announced a change to the Green Bay Packers schedule on Monday, flexing their Week 5 contest against the rival Chicago Bears. The matchup scheduled for Sunday, October 11, initially set to kick off at 4:00 p.m. ET, will begin at 1:00 p.m. ET instead.
Originally, Packers vs. Bears from Lambeau Field was tapped to be FOX’s “Game of the Week.” Now, it will be replaced by a Week 5 tilt between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.
While it may seem like a curious decision so early in the season, there are tangible reasons for the change.
On paper, the Packers/Bears matchup doesn’t look as attractive as it once did at the start of the season. For one, Green Bay has underachieved, starting the year an ugly 1-2, but could also be arguably one of the worst teams in the NFL heading into Week 4. Two, Chicago will likely be without quarterback Caleb Williams, who is still nursing a right hamstring injury, and may not return by Week 5, further dampening the rivalry game.
Additionally, the MLB playoffs kick off this week, and the Milwaukee Brewers have already earned a spot in the National League Division Series. Should they advance against either the San Diego Padres or Chicago Cubs, they’ll play Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on October 11, coinciding with Week 5 of the NFL season.
It seems the NFL and MLB wanted to avoid a potential conflict for Packers/Brewers fans, planning ahead to make sure the two aren’t competing head-to-head.
The Packers have five national games remaining on their schedule, including matchups against the Dallas Cowboys (Week 6), Carolina Panthers (Week 8), Los Angeles Rams (Week 12), Buffalo Bills (Week 14), and Houston Texans (Week 17). If things continue to go south, Week 5 won’t be the only game they’re flexed out of this season.
