The year 2013 was a depressing one. After all, it was the first year in eons that Week 16 didn’t feature NFL football on the Saturday before Christmas.
NFL games on the Saturday before Christmas is a sneaky holiday for many NFL fans, with a longstanding tradition of fans letting their significant others go out with the kids and finish the holiday shopping while said fans stay at home and do “house work.” This year’s sneaky Saturday slate features two so-so games, highlighted by the Eagles at the Redskins (4:30 p.m., NFL Network). The Eagles desperately need a win in D.C. to stay in the playoff mix. Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon and Stacey Dales have the call from Washington for NFL Network. At 8:25 p.m., the Chargers will look to keep their slim playoff hopes alive when they face the 49ers in Santa Clara, California. Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Jenny Dell have the call for NFL Network in that one. The games are part of CBS Sports’ relationship with NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football package.
The reason for NFL games on Saturday is because it fills an obvious football void, with college bowl season haven’t yet gotten entirely underway. In the past, when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday in Week 16, the NFL has moved nearly its entire slate of games to Saturday.
Why are there NFL games on Saturday this year?
