The NFL says it's just in case the Phillies make the World Series, 'cause they'd host Game 4 at 8 pm EST that night. Somehow, I don't think Fox exactly put up a huge protest over Favre vs. the Packers @ Lambeau Field being moved to the national broadcast slot.
A much better choice than Deion Sanders ... I think they did make a smart choice. Rather than wait around on Nick Saban (who was no guarantee), they decided to fill the vacancy now and get the ball rolling for next year.