DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — Fans holding tickets for the Dec. 31 regular-season finale between the Cincinnati Bengals and visiting Pittsburgh Steelers won't know until Dec. 26 whether the game will remain in the scheduled 1 p.m. time slot or get moved to prime time.

NFL spokesman Dan Masonson told the Dayton Daily News the kickoff time hinges on the playoff picture.

If one or both teams are in the hunt for a postseason berth, the game could move to 8:15 p.m. on NBC (WDTN, Channel 2). If the Bengals or Steelers have already secured a playoff berth and the other is eliminated, the game will likely remain at 1 p.m. on CBS (WHIO, Channel 7).

Fans of both teams are eager to find out the game time at Paul Brown Stadium so they can finalize New Year's Eve plans. For now, the NFL is holding fans hostage because of its "flexible scheduling" format.

"The goal of flexible scheduling for Week 17 is to put games with playoff implications in the TV windows which can be seen by the most fans," Masonson said.

The NFL started flex scheduling this season on Sundays in Weeks 10-15 and in Week 17 to ensure quality games in late-afternoon and prime-time slots.

For each of those weeks — with the exception of Week 17 — the NFL announced the Sunday start times no later than 12 days prior to that weekend. But the NFL reserved the right to make its decision for Week 17 games on six days notice.

"We try to announce the schedule as early as possible to allow fans to plan," Masonson said. "But Week 17 is one where certain games will have greater implications on the playoffs, and that's why you need to wait until after the Week 16 games are completed."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.