If I recall correctly, NFLN was in "free preview" on AT100 for a limited, albeit indefinite, time. Charlie pulled the plug on the free preview.
It was also wrong of the NFL to release last year's final Pat-Giants game to all those broadcast affiliates in the northeast, breaking their contract with Dish. That's why they reverted to the old agreement, with NFL in AT200. I'm against many Dish decisions, but I support this one.