 First, a system known as "cross-flex" was imposed, in which the two networks bound by conference restrictions, CBS and Fox, could carry Sunday afternoon games that would otherwise air on the other network.That same year, in order to accommodate CBS's new contract to simulcast "Thursday Night Football", the network was given permission to air games with teams from either conference on Thursdays in a deal separate from its Sunday afternoon rights.From that year through 2016, CBS carried all-NFC contests every year on Thanksgiving, and in 2014 and 2015, no AFC teams played in any of the Thanksgiving games.