The NFL Network is along for the ride this year. CBS will air the first seven Thursday night games with a simulcast on NFL Network.

Then NFL Network will air the remaining Thursday night games exclusively in the second half of the season. However, CBS still will handle the production with Jim Nantz and Phil Simms on the call.

NFL rules mandate all teams play a Thursday game. As a result, the NFL Network slate has several potholes.

Best games: Not much. New Orleans at Carolina on Oct. 30 looks good. Dallas at Chicago on Dec. 4 has some potential.

Potential clunkers: Where to begin? Cleveland at Cincinnati on Nov. 6; Buffalo at Miami on Nov. 13; Kansas City at Oakland on Nov. 20.

And the best thing that can be said about the Tennessee at Jacksonville game on Dec. 18 is that the weather should be nice in Florida.