Why the Saints vs. Bears playoff game is on Nickelodeon

The news of the NFL playoffs including a game on Nickelodeon has many fans scratching their heads. Oddly enough, the Saints will have that game.

The NFL Wildcard Playoffs are this coming weekend with three games on Saturday and three on Sunday. The New Orleans Saints will host the Chicago Bears at home Sunday, January 10th at 3:40 PM CST.

The game will be airing nationally on CBS, Amazon Prime, and Nickelodeon.

Yes, you read that right, Nickelodeon will be broadcasting the game as a third major network. Many fans, including those outside both New Orleans and Chicago, thought this was a strange appearance for the network.

The last few years, Amazon Prime and the NFL have partnered to show games on Thursday Night Football.

So, while it isn’t absurd to think another network could join the ranks, Nickelodeon was not a suspected partner based on its target audience. I suppose the network is looking for a change of pace to run between Paw Patrol and Peppa the Pig.

A major concern the network may have is the profanity that comes along with NFL games. Players are mic’d up, and things tend to be said between plays, and I don’t mean lovely pleasantries.

Players, from time to time, are caught on a hot mic near cameras, and we go along with it on CBS, FOX, and ESPN, but Nickelodeon doesn’t have that issue with normal programming. You have to wonder if this is something that was discussed prior to an agreement.

CBS and Nickelodeon did test the “Nickified” type of game during the Dec. 6 Eagles-Packers game, and all went well. So, it appears they wish to continue their relationship and expand the NFL to their younger audience with Spongebob and Patrick visuals during touchdowns.

The schedule consists of a pre-game show “The SpongeBob SportsPants Countdown Special” hosted by Denver Broncos LB Von Miller, followed by the actual game at 3:40 PM CST.

It is strange that the Nickelodeon schedule has their website showing Saturday as the game programming, but I assume this is just an entry error and things will be corrected. That would be when the Seattle Seahawks host the LA Rams in one of the other NFC Wildcard games.

The game will be called by Noah Eagle, the son of the BCS NFL broadcaster Ian Eagle. Nickelodeon’s Gabrielle Nevaeh and former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson will provide analysis. Nick’s Lex Lumpkin will be the sideline reporter checking in on things.

Expect green slime, fun animated CGI, and clean wholesome fun. Let’s just hope C. J. Gardner-Johnson isn’t mic’d up for the kid’s sake.