The one glaring issue with Commanders-NY Giants being flexed to primetime

The Washington Commanders and New York Giants playing to a tie Sunday at the meadowlands means both teams have everything to play for in the Week 15 rematch at FedEx Field. If the season ended today, Washington would be out of the playoffs due to New York and Seattle owning a better winning percentage.

It’s fine margins, but the Commanders are currently on the outside looking in, which makes Sunday’s tie all the more infuriating. Luckily, there’s still four games left to play, and Washington has a week to rest up and get healthy for Sunday’s rematch in Landover.

The Giants, meanwhile, get the Eagles at home in Week 14, so they’ll be battered and bruised for the all-important showdown in two weeks.

As of Monday afternoon, though, the rematch was one of five games whose time and date was still to be determined. With so much at stake in terms of playoff seeding, and Saturday games returning in Week 15, it was widely speculated the game would get flexed into primetime.

That’s exactly what happened, as the NFL confirmed Washington and New York will battle it out on Sunday Night Football.

The one problem with the Commanders and NY Giants’ being flexed to Sunday Night Football in Week 15.

Before we identify the one issue with Washington playing on Sunday night, let’s appreciate the significance of this news.

When’s the last time you can recall the league clamoring for Washington to get a national time slot? Playing in America’s Game of the Week on FOX is one thing, but getting flexed to SNF? That’s a big deal. In fact, it marks the franchise’s first home Sunday Night Football game since Week 3 of the 2017 season.

The one problem, though? The Commanders will travel cross-country for a Christmas eve showdown against the 49ers for the following Saturday.

Not only does this schedule switch mean less rest for Washington ahead of another huge game, but it puts the team in a bind as far as flying to California and getting in enough practice time before Saturday. You’re probably talking about one less day of prep relative to a normal game week. That begs the question of why Commanders-Giants wasn’t flexed to Saturday night instead of Dolphins-Bills.

The Dolphins don’t play again until the following Sunday, while Buffalo locks horns with Chicago on Saturday in Week 16, so both teams will get at least a full week of rest. The Commanders, meanwhile, aren’t afforded that full week.

That’s not to say Washington won’t beat the 49ers. It’s just an unideal situation that could’ve been avoided had the NFL flexed Commanders-Giants to Saturday night instead of Sunday night. Still, beggars can’t be choosers, and Sunday night at FedEx Field promises to be an absolutely electric scene.

Incredible to think we’re here after a 1-4 start.