Update #3:

Barry Horn of the DMN says our game is likely to be moved to the 4 PM slot. This would make the first part of Update #2 irrelevant (that is, that games can't be moved to a different time on the same network), and goes to the second point of my original post. Here are Horn's thoughts:

http://sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/12/cowboys-eagles-in-week-17-will.html

Hat tip to DC_fan (see his comment below) for this information.

One remark about this, however, per the second point of Update #2:

I think there is still a chance the game is kept at 1 PM because of the lure of Philly not being mathematically eliminated yet (provided Tampa and/or Chicago win next week {and that Chicago wins tomorrow night against GB} if they play at 1 PM and Philly plays at 4 PM). That is, if the game is shown later and Philly is mathematically out of the playoff running, fewer people could tune in.

If I had to guess, I would go with what Horn is saying. That was the original point of my first post. The Cowboys are such a draw that even if the game comes after Philly is eliminated earlier in the day, a large audience can still be expected to watch Dallas to see if they make or are eliminated from the playoffs, as well as to see the entire Philly-Terrell Owens-Donovan McNabb angle play out.

It also must be pointed out that Horn's thoughts on this matter came several days ago (his post is from Dec 18). Thus, considerations for playoff eligibility and the like regarding the Eagles for this game might not have entered into Horn's thoughts at the time. I hope Horn's right; that could make the Cowboys' task much easier if Philly knows their season is over right around tip off time of their game with Dallas.

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Update #2:

DieSlowKeyshawn said over in the main blog post on this subject that the network/NFL can not change the time of the kickoff on the same network. That is, that the start time could not be moved from 1 PM to 4 PM. I don't know if this is correct or not, but I wanted to pass it along. If this is true, then all of my post should be ignored.

It seems that games have been moved in the past to maximize viewership for doubleheaders (both CBS and FOX have doubleheaders next week), but I don't know the rules. Also, the NFL may not want to move the Dallas-Philly game because if they make it later, fewer people may watch if they know that Philly has already been eliminated. That would make sense, and would argue for having the Denver-San Diego game in prime time Sunday night as nothing that happens earlier in the day can affect the importance of that game.

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Update #1:

Here's the official clarification (my bad, Rafael and others who had this correct):

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/12/16/clarification-of-rules-puts-cowboys-eagles-back-in-play-for-prime-time/

The rule, per NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, is that up to three teams may play up to six times in prime-time.

That is, even though we and the Eagles had 5 prime time appearances so far this year (the normal limit for NFL teams), this clarification makes it clear the Philly-Dallas game was still eligible to be flexed.

PFT had updated their info since I last took a look there. Sorry about that.

I'll keep what I wrote below, with the caveat that it appears as though we were not picked for the game, but we still might benefit from the 1 PM/4 PM scheduling with FOX for our tilt with Philly.

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Ok, first things first.

I'm only writing this post to help let people know that Dallas wasn't "dissed" for the Sunday night spot, and to still give some hope for the scheduling of next week's games.

I am almost certain (actually now less certain; see Aussie Cowboy's first comment below, as well as my response) that the Dallas-Philly game was never eligible to be flexed into the Sunday night spot. Others have written comments saying that the San Diego-Denver game has been put in the time slot, which would make sense as it is a win-and-in for both teams.

The reason why the Dallas game could not be flexed to Sunday night was because the Cowboys and the Eagles have each participated in 5 prime time games this year, the maximum the NFL allows. Thus, this matchup was not permitted to be moved into a night spot.

However, what still could happen, and be in our favor, is if we are rescheduled to play at 4 PM instead of 1 PM and the Tampa and/or Chicago games (if Chicago wins tomorrow) are made/kept at 1 PM. That way, if either of those teams win (pending CHI wins tomorrow), then when our game is starting, or soon thereafter, PHI would know they are out of the playoffs even if they win. As you might imagine, that could be enormously beneficial to Dallas' chances in the contest.

I'm almost certain FOX can make this move, and I believe that they will make it. Of the various NFC teams still competing for a playoff spot, we (and the Eagles) are by far the 'sexiest' team still in the hunt. Especially considering both teams could go into the game mathematically alive for the final NFC playoff spot (the only NFC game next weekend with that possibility).

My guess is this move will be made, and you will see our game go to 4 PM and, at least, the Tampa game stays at 1 PM. If all works out as it should, Philly will know at kickoff or very shortly following it that they are done, and it's time to play Kolb, rest Westbrook, etc. Not saying that will happen, but it would be much more likely, even if Philly's staff won't say that publicly.

Keep your fingers crossed on the schedulemaking here.