You have a point. It was the perfect storm of a postseason matchup and the requirement that NFL must receive linear coverage when it’s happening.
In other news, that postseason matchup heading to the 18th inning for the first time since 2018. That marks the 3rd grandstand finish for ESPN in less than a week.
(The EPG had pushed back the endtime constantly since start of extra innings, until 4.15pm AEDT that is. It probably hit the limit there.)