NFL stands pat

The Detroit Lions’ game at the Green Bay Packers will remain on Sunday night Dec. 9, as will the 49ers-Patriots showdown the next week. The NFL announced its flexible scheduling decisions Monday. Starting in Week 11, the league can move a more appealing matchup into prime time on NBC if need be. It has yet to do so this season. The game between San Francisco and New England on Dec. 16 is so attractive the NFL announced a week early that it would be staying put. The 49ers are 8-2-1, while the Patriots are 8-3. While the Lions are just …

The Detroit Lions’ game at the Green Bay Packers will remain on Sunday night Dec. 9, as will the 49ers-Patriots showdown the next week. The NFL announced its flexible scheduling decisions Monday. Starting in Week 11, the league can move a more appealing matchup into prime time on NBC if need be. It has yet to do so this season. The game between San Francisco and New England on Dec. 16 is so attractive the NFL announced a week early that it would be staying put. The 49ers are 8-2-1, while the Patriots are 8-3. While the Lions are just 4-7, the Packers (7-4) are always a big TV draw and are in the thick of playoff contention. – Associated Press