It’s so rare that the league does something that I unreservedly approve of, when it does happen it’s worth noting. Today, the NFL announced that it’s moving back the start time of games that are the second half of televised doubleheaders. That means a much reduced chance of missing the first few drives of a marquee late game because Titans-Chiefs went to overtime in the 1 p.m. slot. Also, it means not necessarily being taken away from the end of a compelling early game for the start of the local team’s game.

The NFL has moved back the starting time for afternoon games that are part of a FOX or CBS doubleheader. Previously, the games began at 4:15 p.m., now they will start at 4:25 p.m so that there is less overlap between the beginning of those games and the end of the 1 p.m. games.

Afternoon games that are not a part of televised doubleheader will still kickoff at 4:05 p.m.

Okay, so it’s not perfect and there will still be some degree of overlap, but I think can all agree that this is a step in the right direction. So kudos to NFL brass for once.

Better still, with the later start time, that means less of a gap between the end of the late afternoon games and the start of Sunday Night Football. I eagerly await Peter King’s and Mike Florio’s carping about how the move will eat into the ratings of NBC’s pregame show. “AMERICA NEEDS MORE OF THE DUNGE, NOT LESS!”