The final flex

As expected, NBC has tossed aside its regularly-scheduled coverage of the Chiefs at N.Y. Jets and today decided to trade out Tennessee at Indianapolis for the game at 5:15 on Dec. 30, since the 9-6 Titans can claim the AFC wildcard spot with a win.

If the Titans lose, Cleveland can sneak in with a win over San Francisco earlier in the day.

And you know the Colts are just coasting at this point.

NBC is taking advantage here of the flexible scheduling for Weeks 11-to-17. NBC points out that as indication of the success of the first year of the flex sked, three of the final four games on NBC did a rating more than 20 percent higher than the comparable games in 2005.