If you are a Packers fan living in the Twin Cities metro / western Wisconsin regions like I am, I have some bad news for you this year. For the past several years, we have enjoyed an average of only 5 games or so blacked out per year. Unfortunately this year will be different, with up to 10 games being withheld from us.
Technically these games are not being “blacked out” as this is not due to the Packers being able to sell out their home games, but instead are caused by conflicts in schedule with the Minnesota Vikings and TV contract rules. That said, this region is an unofficial secondary market for the Packers and the networks do show all the Packer games on TV they are allowed. To see the rules on which games are shown, check out the506.com/nflmaps.
The below is a listing of all 2014 Packer game blackouts in the Twin Cities metro / western Wisconsin regions per NFL TV rules:
*Week 2: Sept 14 – Packers vs. New York Jets, 3:25 on Fox but Vikings have noon home game.
Week 3: Sept 21 – Packers @ Detroit, noon on Fox but Vikings @ New Orleans also noon on Fox.
*Week 4: Sept 28 – Packers @ Chicago noon on Fox but Vikings have 3:25 home game.
Week 6: Oct 12 – Packers @ Miami noon on Fox but Vikings have noon home game.
Week 7: Oct 19 – Packers vs. Carolina noon on Fox but Vikings @ Buffalo also noon on Fox.
Week 11: Nov 16 – Packers vs. Philadelphia noon on Fox but Vikings @ Chicago also noon on Fox. – Game was flexed to 3:25 and will now be televised.
*Week 13: Nov 30 – Packers vs. New England 3:25pm on CBS but Vikings have noon home game.
Week 15: Dec 14 – Packers @ Buffalo noon on Fox but Vikings @ Detroit also noon on Fox. – Vikings game was flexed to 3:25 and both games will now be televised.
Week 16: Dec 21 – Packers @ Tampa Bay noon on Fox but Vikings @ Miami also noon on Fox.
Week 17: Dec 28 – Packers vs. Detroit, noon on Fox but Vikings vs. Chicago also noon on Fox.
Please post your favorite place to watch Packer games when you are not able to do so at home in the comments.