The Pittsburgh Steelers’ schedule was extremely unique when it was released this past spring. The reason it is unique was the five-game stretch of prime time contests in the back half of the schedule.
However, the NFL’s flex scheduling policy certainly can change things when it comes to what games are under the league’s brightest spotlight in primetime.
In 2016, the Steelers had a primetime game flexed out for another, more attractive, game. Many thought the same would happen in 2017 with either the Week 12 game on Sunday Night Football vs. the Packers, or the Week 14 game on Sunday Night Football vs. the Ravens.
As it turns out, both will remain where they were originally scheduled.
UPDATE: NFL schedule changes for Week 14 (Sunday, December 10)
— Randall Liu (@RLiuNFL) November 28, 2017
DAL at NYG moves to 1:00 PM ET (FOX)
SEA at JAX moves to 4:25 PM ET (FOX)
No changes to Sunday Night Football (BAL at PIT) pic.twitter.com/IPekNoZJTG
There could be a lot on the line for the Steelers in Week 14, and the same could be said for the Ravens. If the Steelers are able to beat the Bengals in Week 13 on Monday Night Football, they could clinch the AFC North crown with a win at Heinz Field in Week 14. For the Ravens, with a 6-5 record they could be playing for their playoff lives.
Throw in the fact these are two bitter rivals, and the NFL decided to keep the game where they feel it will get the most attention — in primetime.