Originally posted by - well, AT - NFL.comBlizzard forces postponement of Vikes-Eagles game to Tuesday
NFL.com Wire Reports Published: Dec. 26, 2010 at 11:10 a.m. Updated: Dec. 26, 2010 at 04:12 p.m.
The NFL moved the Minnesota Vikings-Philadelphia Eagles game from Sunday night to Tuesday night because of an expected blizzard that could dump up to 20 inches of snow on eastern Pennsylvania.
The game will be played at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday and nationally televised by NBC.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter declared a snow emergency as of 2 p.m. ET Sunday.
In announcing the postponement of the game, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said: "Due to public safety concerns in light of today's snow emergency in Philadelphia, tonight's Vikings-Eagles game has been postponed. Because of the uncertainty of the extent of tonight's storm and its aftermath, the game will be played on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. This will allow sufficient time to ensure that roads, parking lots and the stadium are fully cleared. The National Weather Service states that a winter storm warning in Philadelphia remains in effect until 1 pm on Monday."
The Vikings already have had two home games affected by the weather this season. Their game against the Giants on Dec. 12 was postponed one day after Minneapolis received 15 inches of snow. The game was then moved to Detroit when the Metrodome roof collapsed.
The Vikings' game against the Chicago Bears the following week was played at the University of Minnesota's outdoor stadium because of the damaged roof.
"What else can you say? Just add this to the list for the 2010 season," Vikings defensive end Jared Allen said. "But you know what? We have to remain together as a team and keep a positive mindframe. It's important to be a professional and be ready to play on Tuesday night."
The Vikings decided against flying back to Minnesota on Sunday and instead will stay in Philadelphia until Tuesday.
"It's tough, especially in a season that you didn't think any more curveballs could happen," kicker Ryan Longwell said. "This is a rough one being away from our families during Christmas and being stuck in Philly. At the same time, you realize that you've got to reconfigure the mind for Tuesday night and show up ready to play."
For some players, the postponement offered more time to rest and heal.
"Hey, at least it's another couple of days to heal," said Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who's questionable because of a knee injury that kept him out of the Bears game. "We just have to handle this like we have everything else that has gone on this season. Coach (Leslie) Frazier told us to continue to stick together, to stay focused, and that's what we'll do. This is just another bump in the road."
Minnesota (5-9) is out of playoff contention, but Philadelphia (10-4) can clinch the NFC East with a win. Playing on Tuesday will challenge the Eagles with a short week of preparation for next Sunday's regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys.
"I don't think it’s a problem. I think we'll be all right," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "We've had Monday games, Sunday night games, we had a Thursday game, so we've been through a lot of this already, and that will help us. We'll be fine.
"We'll be off Wednesday, then we'll come back Thursday and do a little more (than a normal Thursday), then we'll have a normal Friday, bring them to the hotel Saturday, and go Sunday."
NBC was uncertain what it would broadcast Sunday night in place of the game, although a spokesman said the regular "Football Night in America" would be on the air from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET.
I could understand postponing due to a roof collapsing. But, since when do blizzards cancel NFL games? This is football. And, if NBC is going to flex a 14.5 point underdog into primetime, the least we could have gotten was the Philly fans throwing snow and seeing if they could evolve enough to invent fire to warm themselves.
So if we're now postponing even outdoor NFL games until Tuesday, why the hell are we gonna have the Super Bowl in New York in a few years? Can you imagine the snafu that would occur just in advertising revenue alone if the Super Bowl were postponed?
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It would figure that I'd love the Vikings-Giants game from two weeks ago getting postponed because that would give the Giants one less day to rest before playing the Eagles, and now the Eagles are given two less days to rest before playing the Cowboys. I hate this league sometimes.
As for the blizzard, its a mess out there right now. The game could have been played, but the traffic would have been HORRENDOUS.
You believe me, don't you? Please believe what I just said...
Originally posted by EddieBurkettAs for the blizzard, its a mess out there right now. The game could have been played, but the traffic would have been HORRENDOUS.
Yeah, I think it's safe to say that anyone complaining that the game was postponed because the players can play in the snow is missing the point by about a mile.
Originally posted by EddieBurkettAs for the blizzard, its a mess out there right now. The game could have been played, but the traffic would have been HORRENDOUS.
Yeah, I think it's safe to say that anyone complaining that the game was postponed because the players can play in the snow is missing the point by about a mile.
I thought Cris Collinsworth made an interesting point on Football Night In America where he mentioned that the NFL has set a precedent for "allowing" cities to determine whether NFL games are played or not.
Not that it matters, but I personally agree with the decision to postpone the game based on the safety of fans getting to and from the game, but it will be interesting to see if this does come into play down the road for playoff and/or Super Bowls played in similar or unforseen conditions.
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Why did NBC flex this dog of a game into the primetime spot anyways? I presume that FOX prevented the Green Bay vs. New York game from being moved from their network, but CBS could only protect one of Indy/Oakland and Chicago/Jets. Surely one of those two matchups would've been more intriguing for NBC. Have the Colts or Jets used up their allotment of prime-time appearances yet, since that's the only reason I can think of.
Originally posted by Big BadWhy did NBC flex this dog of a game into the primetime spot anyways? I presume that FOX prevented the Green Bay vs. New York game from being moved from their network, but CBS could only protect one of Indy/Oakland and Chicago/Jets. Surely one of those two matchups would've been more intriguing for NBC. Have the Colts or Jets used up their allotment of prime-time appearances yet, since that's the only reason I can think of.
You're really gonna love the Rams/Seahawks game NBC has picked for next week!! (As a Seahawks fan I have to watch but I feel for the rest of the country that has to suffer along with me)
edit: And I realize this is one of the few games with playoff implications next week, but good gawd have the 'Hawks stunk down the stretch. This has the makings of a reeeeeeeal bad game for America to sit through, which unfortunately has happened a lot of times "we" have been on National television.
(edited by DrewDewce on 26.12.10 2047) "You are going to get a certain amount of snarkiness on the Internet no matter what, and my rule is that you don't post anything that you wouldn't say to someone's face." Marc Andreyko (Writer of DC Comic's "Manhunter")
I'm fine with St. Louis/Seattle next week because it's at least a relevant game with playoff implications. That's all I want from the flex game --- a game that matters late in the season. Philly/Minnesota means nothing, since the Vikings are long out of it and Philadelphia has a division title wrapped up. (No, I don't consider Philly getting a first-round bye or not to be a scenario worthy of a primetime slot.)
Getting back to the main topic, apparently the snowstorm is so bad that the Giants and Jets are both staying in Green Bay and Chicago overnight, while the Patriots are in Rochester. These teams might not be able to get home until Tuesday, throwing off their preparation and (in the case of NE and the Jets) making it all the more likely that they'll take it easy in Week 17 and rest their starters.
Originally posted by Big BadWhy did NBC flex this dog of a game into the primetime spot anyways? I presume that FOX prevented the Green Bay vs. New York game from being moved from their network, but CBS could only protect one of Indy/Oakland and Chicago/Jets. Surely one of those two matchups would've been more intriguing for NBC. Have the Colts or Jets used up their allotment of prime-time appearances yet, since that's the only reason I can think of.
You're really gonna love the Rams/Seahawks game NBC has picked for next week!! (As a Seahawks fan I have to watch but I feel for the rest of the country that has to suffer along with me)
edit: And I realize this is one of the few games with playoff implications next week, but good gawd have the 'Hawks stunk down the stretch. This has the makings of a reeeeeeeal bad game for America to sit through, which unfortunately has happened a lot of times "we" have been on National television.
(edited by DrewDewce on 26.12.10 2047)
I'm just hoping for a tie in the Rams/Seahawks game so all the announcers saying the Seahawks were playing for nothing against the Bucs are proven wrong.
Originally posted by DrewDewceNot that it matters, but I personally agree with the decision to postpone the game based on the safety of fans getting to and from the game, but it will be interesting to see if this does come into play down the road for playoff and/or Super Bowls played in similar or unforseen conditions.
I think as many pointed out already Vikings/Eagles is rather insignificant and can be flexed out rather easily because it's implications are nigh null. With the amount of revenue and circumstance surrounding playoff games, however, I think the NFL and it's sponsors would shell out a dozen or so million to clear streets and accomodate if the situation were a playoff game, let alone the Super Bowl. There's no reason to protect a throwaway NFC game that won't hit big ratings as an asset when you can flex it to a Tuesday, but plenty reason to protect high-ratings-and-revenue garnering postseason football, on behalf of whichever city and the league.
As for the NY Super Bowl, part of the romance of it taking place there is the possibility of lousy weather. Granted, being the biggest media market is probably what sealed the deal, but as best I remember everybody was excited at the thought of cold conditions at the title game, and considering last year's rainy Super Bowl, I don't think a Nor'Easter will hamper the juggernaut that is the NFL.
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The thing is, the Eagles have been setting and breaking ratings records all season. That's the reason this game was flexed in in the first place. As strange as it sounds, it probably would've had more viewers than any other game NBC could've chosen.
The conspiracy theorist in me says the NFL is doing what it can to protect Vick from injury. They want Vick in the Super Bowl in the worst way.
Originally posted by well, AT - NFL.comIn announcing the postponement of the game, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said: "Due to public safety concerns in light of today's snow emergency in Philadelphia, tonight's Vikings-Eagles game has been postponed. Because of the uncertainty of the extent of tonight's storm and its aftermath, the game will be played on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. This will allow sufficient time to ensure that roads, parking lots and the stadium are fully cleared.
And because this decision will allow NBC to have their primetime game without conflicting with ESPN's Monday Night Football telecast.
For everyone talking about how this would have been done different in a playoff game scenario, I think the new wrinkle here is this is the first SNF cancellation. Every other postponement has been moved to Monday night, shown mainly in local markets. The reason this was the first Tuesday game since '46 was that it was a national telecast.
(And apparently a Monday Night game has never failed to be played?)
Pro betting tip for Sunday: Lovie Smith teams do NOTHING in preseason games. Combine with Carolina at Atlanta being an early game, and the Bears in the afternoon spot.
Thread ahead: The W Survival League: version 2010.0 (Week 16) Next thread: 5 Buckeyes, Including Pryor, Suspended to Begin 2011 Season Previous thread: 49ers fire Mike Singletary
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3120600 Saban Compares the loss to U.L.M to 9-11/Pearl Harbor. Losses like this Saban may find another job. The comparisons really do not make any sense. Anyway your thoughts?