When it came to Week 11’s slate of NFL games, there weren’t many matchups that stood out. But one game, in particular, probably had CBS excited to air as one of the network’s rare NFC broadcasts.
Well, CBS gave up on that game before the fourth quarter.
Sunday’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings had potential to be an early preview of the NFC Championship Game. And at the very least, the folks at CBS anticipated a competitive game in the national late-window slot. But when Tony Pollard and the Cowboys blew the game open at 37-3 in the third quarter, CBS essentially apologized to its audience for the Vikings’ dismal performance and switched to Steelers-Bengals.
Vikings are getting their asses kicked so bad that CBS won’t let me see it pic.twitter.com/M3GESuFWtp
— Cooper Lund (@cooperlund) November 20, 2022
While CBS always has the flexibility to switch away from blowouts, you rarely see that happen so early in the third quarter. On top of that, the decision to leave the Vikings-Cowboys game made it impossible for fans in non-Vikings/Cowboys markets to watch the rest of the game because NFL Sunday Ticket blacks out local-listed games. That led to an awkward scene at this Vikings bar, for example:
At the Vikings bar and CBS cut to the Bengals-Steelers game
😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/p2myf8jtj0
— Timmy Marrinan (@TimmyMarrinan) November 20, 2022
NFL fans also used the CBS decision as a reason to roast the Vikings.
This was how Twitter reacted
Lol they literally turned off Cowboys/Vikings on CBS. Flipped to Steelers/Bengals.
Think about how bad it’s gotta be, for a network to turn away from the Cowboys.
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) November 20, 2022
How bad are the Vikings getting slaughtered? The local Madison, WI CBS affiliate pulled the game and stuck us with CIN/PIT 🤮 pic.twitter.com/Q4mRtrGXVt
— Mitch Winder (@bultaco206) November 20, 2022
it's not even halfway through the third quarter and cbs took cowboys-vikings off. #BEATEMDOWN
— bomani (@bomani_jones) November 20, 2022
cbs just took the vikings beatdown off of television. the ultimate sign of shame.
— mansur (@mansurshaheen) November 20, 2022
Imagine getting beat so bad CBS switches the game in the THIRD QUARTER and ur supposed to be the game of the week.
LMFAO VIKINGS STINK.
— Breezy🦅 (@YourHost_Breezy) November 20, 2022
I was about to shut that @vikings “game” off but then CBS did it for me. Lol.
— Jillian Sakovits (@JillianSakovits) November 20, 2022
The fact CBS turned off the Vikings game because they were getting so embarrassed is incredible.
If I were a Cowboys fan in this viewing region, I’d be pissed.
— TurKyle George 🦃 🏈 🥧 (@FuriousGeorge94) November 20, 2022
CBS just decided I’m done watching the Vikings game
— Tyler Thompson (@curseofmight) November 20, 2022
Oh no, the Switch of Shame and it wasn't even in the 4th quarter https://t.co/mN68mJz0ma
— local bIogger (@fergoe) November 20, 2022
The ultimate mark of shame indeed.
