NFL Week 2 on TV

FOX has a doubleheader this week, while CBS will show one game to each region.

If you live in the New York area, you will see:

Falcons at Giants early on FOX

Cowboys at Eagles late on FOX

Dolphins at Jaguars late on CBS

I know the first question many of you will have is why CBS isn't showing the Bills-Patriots game. I can promise you it is not because they think Dolphins-Jaguars will do better ratings. This goes to NFL broadcast rules.

Every week, CBS and FOX show three games to each region. One network gets to show games in both the early and late afternoon timeslots. The other only gets to show one game. When you hear an ad saying, "It's a doubleheader Sunday," or, "We're showing regional action," that is what they are talking about. A doubleheader means an early game AND a late game. Regional action means an early game OR a late game, not both. The networks alternate through the season which one gets the doubleheader each week.

Why isn't CBS showing an early game instead? The Giants play a home game early on FOX. When a local team plays at home, no other game may be shown in the same timeslot. Because the Giants have the early timeslot on FOX, CBS cannot show Bills-Patriots to New York or any other game in the early timeslot. Their one game had to come in the late afternoon timeslot.

I'm not saying this is a good rule. It isn't. It's a stupid rule. It isn't good business either for the NFL. There are lots of aspects of their TV deal which make no sense. There is a reason you can't watch Pats-Bills in New York, and that is it.

In other news, the entire nation will see Seahawks at Packers tonight on NBC and Jets at Colts tomorrow on ESPN.

If you don't live in New York, go to the506.com to see maps detailing the games you will see.