The Los Angeles Chargers have earned themselves another chance to shine in prime-time. Their Week 16 home game against the Denver Broncos has been moved from Sunday, Dec. 22, to Thursday night, Dec. 19. This is significant as it marks the first time a game has been flexed to the Thursday night spot.
Last season, the league updated its policy to allow Thursday night games in Weeks 13 through 17 to be flexed with at least 28 days’ notice before the game. Teams also have the opportunity to make more than one appearance on Amazon Prime Video’s 16-game package, with only two games per season in the five-week window eligible for flexing.
The matchup between AFC West division rivals, the Chargers and the Broncos, both vying for playoff spots, has pushed the game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals to Sunday afternoon.
Despite the addition of Jim Harbaugh as coach, the Chargers were initially left without a Thursday game when the NFL schedule was released in May. This season, however, they have already been flexed into prime time once, with their recent victory over the Cincinnati Bengals featured on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”
The Chargers, currently standing at 7-3 and riding a four-game winning streak, are set to face off against the Baltimore Ravens this week on “Monday Night Football.” This game will mark the third time the Harbaugh brothers, John and Jim, have coached against each other.
In addition to the upcoming Thursday night game against the Broncos, the Chargers also have a Sunday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 8. Meanwhile, the Broncos, with a record of 6-5, previously had a Thursday night game on Oct. 17, where they defeated the Saints 33-10.
The Chargers emerged victorious in their earlier meeting with the Broncos on Oct. 13, with a final score of 23-16. This game was notable for Harbaugh briefly leaving the field due to an irregular heartbeat. Looking ahead, the Broncos have a Monday night game against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 2, rounding out their prime-time appearances for the season.
