The NFL isn't out of it's mind, it's got elephantitis of the dick. It has no real competition in the sports world for TV ratings - the NBA wishes it had the audience in that time period, the NHL isn't even a blip and the MLS doesn't play nor have the ratings. Hell, it beats out the MLB Playoffs and World Series - you know, AMERICA'S PASTTIME (not anymore). Do Thursday games suck? 75% of them absolutely do. But like all capitalist institutions, it can't be happy with flat revenue, it has to EXPAND AND GROW. It can't be satisfied with Sunday dominance, it needs more days and more revenue.
But yes, any network would be insane to take a splitcast Thursday night deal, because those games are so bad, only the diehards and local audiences watch them and why split a shitty audience anyway?
On the other hand, Thursday games means I have a chance to watch the Falcons on TV.
Why am I homeless? Why do all you motherfuckers need homes is the real question. They called it The Prayer, its answer was law Mommy come back 'cause the water's all gone