NFL flexes Chiefs-Patriots out of Week 15 Monday Night Football

The NFL has reserved the right to “flex” their schedule for primetime matchups for a long time but this week marks the first time the league is choosing to do so with a Monday Night Football game. The defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, were supposed to take on the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football in Week 15. However, the NFL has chosen to flex the schedule, pulling the Kansas City-New England game out of primetime in favor of the Philadelphia Eagles versus Seattle Seahawks game, according to Adam Schefter.

After playing an afternoon game against the San Francisco 49ers this weekend, the Eagles will move on to a Sunday Night Football showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. The Week 14 game is a rematch following Philly’s 28-23 victory to start the month of November. The Seahawks take on the Cowboys themselves on Thursday Night Football before gaining a bit of extra rest before the Philadelphia game.

With Kansas City at 8-3 and the New England Patriots now at 2-9, it’s no surprise the NFL leaned away from the likely lopsided competition. The Patriots have lost three one-score games in a row in the month of November.

Bill Belichick: ‘Every week’s a challenge’

After the Patriots lost No. 9 of the season on a missed field goal, reporters asked legendary head coach Bill Belichick whether he enjoys coaching this team as much as he did during the Super Bowl-winning days. Despite rumors that his time in New England may be coming to a close, the 71-year-old coach replied: “Absolutely.”

“Every week’s a challenge and I’m excited about the challenge, the opportunity, and what we have to do to win each week. I’ll keep working as hard as I can to help our team,” Belichick said.

The Patriots are currently dealing with a crisis at quarterback. Belichick pulled Mac Jones on Nov. 12 in a loss to the Colts. And he did so after Jones threw a red-zone interception late in the game. Backup Bailey Zappe didn’t do any better. He also had a late interception, throwing into triple coverage. Following that performance, the head coach refused to name a starter.

“I’ve told everybody to be ready to go,” Belichick said. And he added “I’ve told everybody to be ready to go. And hopefully, that’s what they’re all doing. I’m not going to announce starters at every position, or backup, or whatever. Hopefully, everybody will be ready to go.”

Against the Giants, the Patriots started Jones again. He went 12-for-21 with two interceptions. Zappe then had nine completions on 14 attempts, with one interception.