NFL Releases '14 Schedule; CBS Gets Strong Thursday Games

The NFL released the '14 regular-season schedule last night, and CBS in its first year broadcasting a Thursday night primetime set of games was given a "much stronger package than they gave the NFL Network in previous years." The net’s schedule opens with Steelers-Ravens on Sept. 11. CBS Sports Chair Sean McManus: “I had indications early in the process that we would be given a good first game and this is a really good way to start it off” (SI.com, 4/24).

Staff Writer John Ourand on his Twitter feed wrote, "Without question, this is the NFL's strongest-ever Thursday night slate with 14 divisional match-ups on CBS and NFL Network." SI's Richard Deitsch: "The NFL, as predicted, took care of CBS."

NOTE: * = Game will air on a Saturday night.