Football fans will be treated to three NFL games on Saturday, in an action packed week 15.
Things kicked off as San Francisco 49ers claimed the NFC West title with a 21-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, but now fans will see three match-ups before the usual football Sunday gets underway.
Minnesota Vikings take on Indianapolis Colts before Cleveland Browns face Baltimore Ravens, and the action finishes with a tasty clash between Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. NFL games aren't usually played on Saturday's, but due to a loophole in an old college football agreement, it's fair game come the end of the regular season.
Weekends are made for football, and interest in up and coming stars remains so high as the various levels are spread out over the two days. Saturdays are reserved for high school and college action, while Sundays are kept for NFL games.
This has been the case for more than 60 years, since the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 was put in place, although it was initially done for a different reason. The law was made to stop the NFL from negotiating TV rights, with the U.S. government against selling rights to one major company.
However, as part of the law it introduced a blackout to NFL games being broadcasted on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday was to be their main slot, along with the standard Monday and Thursday night games.
With games not eligible for local broadcast on those days, play was negotiated around that, but loopholes mean that towards the end of the college football season they can get around it. With college football entering bowl season, it allows the NFL to play games as we enter the latter stages of December, and the regular season.
However, with local broadcasting restrictions in place, the games will be streamed on both NFL Network and FuboTV - for national viewers. Essentially, don't expect a Saturday game until the latter stages of the NFL season, but be sure to clear your diary when it comes round.
And this Saturday promises to be full of drama, as the Vikings can wrap up the NFC North with a win over the Colts. They're also in a great spot to be handed a top-three seed with a win, despite losing to the Detroit Lions last week.
The Ravens face a tough test against the Browns due to a crisis at quarterback, but the biggest clash of the day is perhaps saved until last. The Dolphins are in hot pursuit of the Bills in a competitive AFC East, with both sides needing a win.
The Dolphins need to win to have a real shot at catching the Bills, who are two wins ahead, but the Bills need to win to keep their top-seed status. The Bills can all but wrap up the division with a win, but will be desperate to stay ahead of Kansas City Chiefs and secure a bye-week.
