Saturdays are for football.
We've reached the point in the NFL season where Saturdays join Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays as NFL days, much to the delight of some (and the chagrin of others, who want to spend their weekends away from their TV).
For years, the NFL has opted to play games on Saturdays in December in the closing weeks of the season, spreading out their schedule over four days during the week instead of three. Since 1970, NFL games have been played on Saturdays at this point in the season, with the exception 2013.
There is, though, a reason for that:
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 15
Why are there NFL games on Saturday?
It all goes back to the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961. The law was made in response to Congress disallowing the NFL from negotiating TV rights because the government felt the league was violating antitrust laws. The U.S. government didn't like that the NFL was trying to sell TV rights deals en masse to CBS, where the teams would share rights equally.
The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 dictates that broadcasting rights of pro sports leagues are exempt from antitrust decisions — but it also contains language that says the NFL cannot broadcast games on Fridays and Saturdays. NFL games are blacked out locally on Fridays and Saturdays, thus essentially prohibiting the play (and broadcasting) of the games.
That means Saturdays, which is when college football games are played, is a no-go for the NFL until the college season wraps up. The same can be said on Fridays and the high-school season.
With the college season ending in November, that opens the door for the NFL to play games on Saturdays, like this upcoming weekend.
In short: The NFL can't play games on Fridays and Saturdays because of high school and college football.
NFL Saturday schedule 2022 Week 15
Saturday, Dec. 17
| Game | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Colts vs. Vikings | 1 p.m. | NFL Network, fuboTV |
| Ravens vs. Browns | 4:30 p.m. | NFL Network, fuboTV |
| Dolphins vs. Bills | 8:15 p.m. | NFL Network, fuboTV |
What channel are the NFL games on Saturday?
Saturday's slate of games is an NFL Network tripleheader, so local networks such as CBS or Fox won't be involved. Cord-cutters can also stream the games on fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
Colts vs. Vikings
- Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
- TV (national): NFL Network
- Live stream: fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Ravens vs. Browns
- Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
- TV (national): NFL Network
- Live stream: fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Dolphins vs. Bills
- Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
- TV (national): NFL Network
- Live stream: fuboTV (7-day free trial)
The Vikings can clinch the NFC North with a win over the flailing Colts. Minnesota had a chance to clinch the division with a win over the Lions in Week 15 but remains in great position to land a top-three seed in the NFC even after the loss to Detroit.
The Ravens are poised to go into Cleveland as underdogs with Lamar Jackson unlikely to play and Tyler Huntley dealing with a concussion. That could leave former undrafted free agent Anthony Brown under center as Baltimore clings to a narrow lead over the Bengals in the AFC North.
The Browns are 1-1 with Deshaun Watson under center, but the highly paid quarterback hasn't looked the part since returning from his 11-game suspension.
A prime-time matchup between the Dolphins and Bills is the highlight of the slate. While Miami's loss to the Chargers means the AFC East lead won't change hands in this game, the Dolphins already have a win over Buffalo this season and are now in a fight for a playoff berth after such a hot start to the season. With snow in the forecast, the Bills may have the natural advantage.
MORE: What Dolphins' loss to Chargers means for division, wild-card races
The Sporting News' Dan Treacy contributed to this piece.
