NFL flexes Broncos-Chargers to TNF in Week 16; Browns-Bengals out

The NFL is flexing a matchup between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers into Thursday Night Football in Week 16 in place of an AFC North meeting between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, the league announced Friday.

This marks the first time the league has opted to change a Thursday Night Football tilt.

Browns-Bengals in Cincinnati will move to Sunday in Week 16 and kick off at 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 22.

The Thursday night bout, which takes place in Los Angeles on Dec. 19, could carry huge playoff implications as the Chargers and Broncos are in the thick of the AFC's wild-card race. The 7-3 Chargers led by head coach Jim Harbaugh currently occupy the fifth spot while the 6-5 Broncos are the seventh and final seed.

The two AFC West clubs met Oct. 13 in Denver with Los Angeles emerging victorious 23-16. The Chargers rolled out to a 23-0 lead before the Broncos answered with 16 points but were unable to complete the comeback.