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The NFL just announced, and as tweeted by ESPN Chicago Bears beat reporter Jeff Dickerson:
#Bears vs. #Eagles on Dec. 22 has been flexed to Sunday night.
— Jeff Dickerson (@ESPNChiBears) December 10, 2013
The game, which was originally scheduled for noon CT, replaces New England Patriots vs Baltimore Ravens in the evening slot. At 10-3, New England have a three game lead over the Miami Dolphins (whom they face next week) at the top of the AFC East, while the 7-6 Ravens are in second place in the AFC North, two games behind the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens face the 7-6 Detroit Lions next week and, obviously, we hope Joe Flacco & co. will continue the three-win run that they've embarked on since losing in that crazy overtime game at Soldier Field.
Even so, the prospect of the Bears facing the 8-5 Philadelphia Eagles was deemed more enticing for a national audience. They're atop the NFC East, one game ahead of the Dallas Cowboys (ho, ho) and travel to the Minnesota Vikings next week, who may be without Adrian Peterson. The Bears travel to Cleveland on Sunday and could, if the Lions fall to the Ravens, have sole control of the NFC North by the time we play our fifth primetime game of the season.
Trivia: we're 4-0 in evening games so far. Fingers crossed.