Which NFL Week 16 games can still be flexed?

9 games: Texans at Eagles, Cardinals at Saints, Browns at Ravens, Chargers at Dolphins, Patriots at Jets, Titans at Raiders, 49ers at Chiefs, Jaguars at Cowboys and Giants at Lions.

When will the NFL decide Week 16 flex changes?

The latest decision dates under NFL rules: Thursday night, Dec. 3 (62 days), Monday night, Dec. 16 (75 days) and Sunday night, Dec. 21 (80 days).

Has the NFL flexed a Week 16 game in 2026?

No. The NFL has announced no flex for Week 16 in 2026.

NFL Week 16 Flex Options: Which Games Can Still Move?

Week 16 (Dec. 24 to 28) has three open windows. Latest decision dates: Thursday night Dec. 3, Monday night Dec. 16, Sunday night Dec. 21. 9 of its 16 remaining games can still move. Four Week 16 games have no date yet; the NFL sets them after Week 14.

Open means the published rules allow a move. CBS and Fox can each protect one game a week. The NFL does not publish their choices.

NFL Week 16 Flex Status: 16 Games and Latest Decision Dates

Gamekickoff Eastern	Answerunder NFL rules	Sunday nightlatest decision date	Monday nightlatest decision date	Thursday nightlatest decision date
Texans at EaglesThu, Dec. 24, 8:15 PM ET	Can still move	—	—	Could move to Sunday afternoonDec. 3 · 62 days
Packers at BearsFri, Dec. 25, 1:00 PM ET	Can't move	Not in window	Not in window	Not in window
Bills at BroncosFri, Dec. 25, 4:30 PM ET	Can't move	Not in window	Not in window	Not in window
Rams at SeahawksFri, Dec. 25, 8:15 PM ET	Can't move	Not in window	Not in window	Not in window
Cardinals at SaintsSun, Dec. 27, 1:00 PM ET	Can still move	OpenDec. 21 · 80 days	OpenDec. 16 · 75 days	OpenDec. 3 · 62 days
Like every Sunday afternoon game, its kickoff can move between 1:00, 4:05 and 4:25 PM ET.
Browns at RavensSun, Dec. 27, 1:00 PM ET	Can still move	OpenDec. 21 · 80 days	OpenDec. 16 · 75 days	OpenDec. 3 · 62 days
Like every Sunday afternoon game, its kickoff can move between 1:00, 4:05 and 4:25 PM ET.
Chargers at DolphinsSun, Dec. 27, 1:00 PM ET	Can still move	OpenDec. 21 · 80 days	OpenDec. 16 · 75 days	OpenDec. 3 · 62 days
Like every Sunday afternoon game, its kickoff can move between 1:00, 4:05 and 4:25 PM ET.
Patriots at JetsSun, Dec. 27, 1:00 PM ET	Can still move	OpenDec. 21 · 80 days	OpenDec. 16 · 75 days	OpenDec. 3 · 62 days
Like every Sunday afternoon game, its kickoff can move between 1:00, 4:05 and 4:25 PM ET.
Titans at RaidersSun, Dec. 27, 4:05 PM ET	Can still move	OpenDec. 21 · 80 days	OpenDec. 16 · 75 days	OpenDec. 3 · 62 days
Like every Sunday afternoon game, its kickoff can move between 1:00, 4:05 and 4:25 PM ET.
49ers at ChiefsSun, Dec. 27, 4:25 PM ET	Can still move	OpenDec. 21 · 80 days	OpenDec. 16 · 75 days	OpenDec. 3 · 62 days
Like every Sunday afternoon game, its kickoff can move between 1:00, 4:05 and 4:25 PM ET.
Jaguars at CowboysSun, Dec. 27, 8:20 PM ET	Can still move	Could move to Sunday afternoonDec. 21 · 80 days	—	—
Giants at LionsMon, Dec. 28, 8:15 PM ET	Can still move	—	Could move to Sunday afternoonDec. 16 · 75 days	—
Panthers at SteelersDate not set	Date not set	—	—	—
Set by: after Week 14. Two of the four play Saturday (4:30 and 8:00 PM ET). The others can go to Thursday night, Sunday afternoon (1:00 or 4:25 PM ET), Sunday night or Monday night.
Bengals at ColtsDate not set	Date not set	—	—	—
Set by: after Week 14. Two of the four play Saturday (4:30 and 8:00 PM ET). The others can go to Thursday night, Sunday afternoon (1:00 or 4:25 PM ET), Sunday night or Monday night.
Buccaneers at FalconsDate not set	Date not set	—	—	—
Set by: after Week 14. Two of the four play Saturday (4:30 and 8:00 PM ET). The others can go to Thursday night, Sunday afternoon (1:00 or 4:25 PM ET), Sunday night or Monday night.
Commanders at VikingsDate not set	Date not set	—	—	—
Set by: after Week 14. Two of the four play Saturday (4:30 and 8:00 PM ET). The others can go to Thursday night, Sunday afternoon (1:00 or 4:25 PM ET), Sunday night or Monday night.

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NFL Flex Rules 2026: Published Rules and Reported Limits

Published by the league, and the only rules that decide an answer or a window:

NFL, "2026 Flexible Scheduling Procedures and Scheduling for Week 18".
NFL.com, 2026 Week 16 schedule: the four Week 16 games set after Week 14.
NFL.com, 2026 Week 17 schedule: the four Week 17 games set after Week 15.
NFL.com, 2026 Week 18 schedule: all Week 18 games, set after Week 17.

Reported, not published. These only add a “Likely blocked” warning to a game that can still move, and are skipped in Week 18:

Primetime limit per team (reported, not published). No team plays more than 8 primetime games: 7 scheduled and one flexed in. Source: Pro Football Talk (Mike Florio), "Rams could potentially end up with nine prime-time games", May 15, 2026, citing the NFL.
Division rivals (reported, not published). The NFL usually keeps one of the two games between division rivals on Sunday afternoon. Sources: NBC Sports (Michael David Smith), Dec 1, 2025; MorganWick.com, NFL Flexible Scheduling Primer.
International games (reported, not published). A game played outside the United States is marked likely blocked. No published source: the NFL's procedures page does not mention games played abroad.

NFL Week 16 Flex Options 2026: 3 Questions

Which NFL Week 16 games can still be flexed?: 9 games: Texans at Eagles, Cardinals at Saints, Browns at Ravens, Chargers at Dolphins, Patriots at Jets, Titans at Raiders, 49ers at Chiefs, Jaguars at Cowboys and Giants at Lions.
When will the NFL decide Week 16 flex changes?: The latest decision dates under NFL rules: Thursday night, Dec. 3 (62 days), Monday night, Dec. 16 (75 days) and Sunday night, Dec. 21 (80 days).
Has the NFL flexed a Week 16 game in 2026?: No. The NFL has announced no flex for Week 16 in 2026.

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Updated: October 1, 2026