The Unholy Scheduling of Afternoon NFL Games
As a die-hard football fan, I’m here to sound the alarm: afternoon NFL games are a travesty compared to their noon counterparts. My beloved Bears typically kick off at 12 pm Central on Sundays, but recent exceptions have left me seething. The 3 pm starts are a curse, disrupting my routine and spoiling the entire viewing experience.
The Dark Side of Afternoon Games
First and foremost, the 3 pm games plunge into darkness by the second half, wreaking havoc on my sleep schedule. The adrenaline rush of watching a game is instinctively tied to the 12 pm kickoff, and these afternoon starts have recalibrated my hormone release schedule. As a result, I’m eating dinner later, and I’m not a fan of it.
Watching the Bears at 3 pm is like playing blackjack at a high-end casino – it’s a classy experience that masks the brutal reality of getting taken to the cleaners. The sun shines bright at kickoff, only to give way to despair two hours later. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions that leaves me feeling drained.
Pregame Meals: A Lost Cause
Pregame meals are a minefield for 3:30 pm kickoffs. When do I start? When do I finish? How do I even prep a menu for this no-man’s land? Compare that to the 12 pm kickoff, where I can enjoy a leisurely breakfast, followed by a couple of brats, and a piping hot cup of coffee to kick off the tailgate.
RedZone: A Shadow of Its Former Self
RedZone is a pale imitation of its former self in the afternoon. If my team is struggling, I need a distraction, and RedZone provides none. Shuffling between mediocre games is a chore, especially when Scott Hanson is struggling to recreate the magic of the Octobox.
Sleep Schedule Sabotage
Let’s not forget the sleep schedule. Again. The 3 pm kickoff disrupts my entire routine, making it difficult to wind down after the game.
Sunday Night Football: A Chore
When the Bears’ game ends 45 minutes before SNF, it feels like a chore. The turnaround time is too tight, and I’m left feeling frazzled. In contrast, the noon kickoff gives me time to gather myself, process my emotions, and enjoy the premium action.
Marital Bliss: A Casualty of Afternoon Games
If you’re married, you’ll understand the importance of planning around the weekend. The noon kickoff is a breeze to schedule around, but the 3 pm start is a logistical nightmare. Spontaneity goes out the window, and I’m left apologizing to my significant other for yet another disrupted weekend.
A Plea to the NFL
I have no solutions, only complaints. So, I implore the NFL: stop scheduling the Bears in the afternoon. It’s not fun, and I can’t take it anymore. If you have a decent argument for afternoon games, I’m all ears. But for now, I’m sticking to my noon kickoff gospel.
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