NFL flexing Bengals' upcoming kickoff time can be viewed as a compliment rather than an insult

The next time the Cincinnati Bengals will play at home is in two weeks when the Philadelphia Eagles come to Paycor Stadium for a Week 8 matchup. Kickoff was originally scheduled for 4:25pm ET , but the NFL has decided to flex it back to a 1:00pm ET start time.

Usually when a game gets flexed to an earlier start time, it's an indictment of the teams playing in the game. The Bengals are currently 2-4 on the season, and the Eagles are 3-2. Neither squad looks exactly like the Super Bowl contenders they were said to be prior to Week 1.

The decision usually takes the game off television screens. In this case, the opposite will occur.

Per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, moving the Bengals' game to a 1pm kickoff will allow 70% of the U.S. to watch the game, making it one of the key matchups of the early window that Sunday. The game taking its place at 4:25pm will be the Chicago Bears vs the Washington Commanders.

The switch seems to be great for all parties. The Bengals specifically picked this matchup to wear their White Bengal alternate helmets the one time this season and have a "white out" at the stadium, knowing the Eagles are a relevant team that will attract viewers outside of local markets. It's why the game was originally slated for the late afternoon window.

A 1pm kickoff doesn't have the same oomph to it, but if the majority of the country will still be in the market, then the Bengals will get what they wanted out of it.

The Bears and Commanders also make sense to take the late afternoon window with CBS' top broadcasting crew covering the game. Rookie quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels are playing tremendous football right now and deserve a national spotlight.

The NFL appears to have gotten this right, accounting all teams and fanbases.

Related: Zac Taylor affirms Bengals will focus on correcting a surprising new issue on offense