The Buccaneers' Week 16 matchup with the Saints has officially been flexed from 1 p.m. to 4:25 p.m., the NFL announced on Monday afternoon. It is the third game that the Buccaneers have had flexed this year, with the team's Week 14 game against the Saints and Week 15 game against the Cowboys also being moved. The Bucs' Week 15 game against the Cowboys was flexed to primetime while both of the team's game against the Saints were moved from 1 to 4:25 pm.
The NFL reserves the ability to change time slots for games in the final seven weeks of the season to ensure the best matchups reach the widest audience. If the Buccaneers' season finale against the Panthers remains at its originally scheduled time, Tampa Bay will finish the regular season having three of their final four games flexed.
Both of the Bucs' flexed games over the next two weeks will be on the road before Tampa Bay returns to Raymond James Stadium for their regular season finale against Carolina.
At 8-5, the Buccaneers are tied with Atlanta for the lead in the NFC South, though the Falcons currently hold the tie-breaker. If the season were to end today, Tampa Bay would make the playoffs as one of the two Wild Card teams from the NFC.
