During the last several weeks of the NFL season, the TV networks have the option to switch certain games to better timeslots -- either late afternoon or night -- in order to get better matchups in time periods where more people are watching.
↵↵The Bears have now established themselves among the top teams in the NFL. Thus it's no surprise that today, the league announced that the Dec. 12 game at Soldier Field against the Patriots has been flexed to a 3:15 p.m. start. That'll make it colder during the second half -- the sun goes down on Dec. 12 at 4:20 p.m., the earliest sunset time of the year -- but you don't care, right? You'll be watching at home on your 52-inch plasma screen.
↵↵With the Patriots as the visiting team that day, the game will be televised on CBS, Ch. 2 in Chicago. The Bears already have one remaining night game -- against the Vikings on Monday, Dec. 20 -- and it would not be surprising if upcoming games against the Jets and Packers are also flexed to late afternoon or evening starts.