Bengals vs. Steelers flexed out of primetime, impact on rest of schedule

The rematch between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11 won’t happen on primetime.

Buy Bengals Tickets

Tuesday, the NFL announced what was previously a “Sunday Night Football” clash between the AFC North rivals has been flexed and will now be a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

The NFL made the move so the Chargers and Chiefs could take the primetime stage.

There are a few interesting repercussions of the move. The Bengals had planned to wear their alternate white helmets against the Steelers again on primetime. League rules prohibit the changing of the uniform schedule during the season, so they won’t be able to change their minds and use the white helmets again at a later date.

And as The Atheltic’s Jay Morrison pointed out, the Chiefs hitting their max allotment of primetime games as a result impacts the Bengals:

By moving the Bengals out of the Sunday night spot next week, the NFL also has guaranteed that Bengals – Chiefs on December 4 will not be flexed into primetime. The Chiefs have hit their max.

— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) November 8, 2022

In short, a move with notable dominoes for a Bengals team that wants to be competitive enough to command that primetime spotlight.