Could the Panthers be flexed into a SNF game this season?

[hepcat]

Just for fun, I was looking at the Sunday Night Football schedule. If the Panthers winning ways continue, what is the likelihood they could play their first SNF game since 2016? Which was the infamous tie-gate where Cam didn't start the game because he didn't wear a tie for a meeting and Ron benched him and Derek Anderson proceeded to throw a pick-6 on the opening throw of the game.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/sunday-night-football

https://www.panthers.com/schedule/

Let's look at some potentially crummy matchups coming up for SNF that could be flexed out for a better game:

Week 8: Cowboys (2-3) vs Eagles (1-3-1). Yuck. Two teams trying to become the king of sh*t mountain, much like the NFC South in 2014. Although these two teams are staples of SNF and have huge fanbases, and the Panthers play the Falcons on Thursday Night in Week 8 so this is not possible.

Week 13: Broncos (1-3) vs Chiefs (4-1). The Broncos are struggling with injuries at the QB position and might not be in a competitive position by Week 13. Unfortunately this is also the Panthers bye week so, this also is not possible for the Panthers to be flexed here.

Week 15: Cowboys (2-3) vs 49ers (2-3). Here's another game with potential to be between two bottom feeders in their division. Both are struggling with injuries and poor performances at the QB position. It has potential to be a game that doesn't matter at all for the playoff race, but it's way too early to say since both teams have plenty of time to turn it around. Either way, the Panthers play the Packers this week in what could be a good matchup. This is the most likely week for the Panthers to be flexed into SNF, however the Packers play in SNF the week after this so this is also not likely again.

Week 17: TBD. The Panthers play the Saints in Week 17 in what could possibly be a playoff impacting game. SNF currently has a big TBD for this week, so they'll likely pick the game with the most playoff impact for the primetime slot. 

Unfortunately, even if the Panthers are competitive and have a winning record late in the season, it seems unlikely given the current slate of games they'd get flexed into a primetime game. However, with COVID popping up every week for different teams, this could open the door for them. But I just did this analysis based on current team performance. 

[jfra78]

Maybe, if we are hot and other teams scheduled to play arent or have to be reschedued for covid reasons.

[07579394]

No,week 15 is a Saturday game,maybe a Saturday night game

[jbland]

I hope not. I prefer the 1:00 followed by the 4. Hate the late night games. 

[jasonluckydog]

No way they drop a Cowboy or Chief game no matter who the opponent is