The NFL moved the Patriots-Ravens game to Sunday night prime time due to playoff implications and team records.

The NFL has moved the New England Patriots’ Week 16 game against the Baltimore Ravens to Sunday night prime time, scheduling it for 8:20 p.m. ET on December 21 on NBC. The change, announced Monday, replaces the previously scheduled Miami-Cincinnati matchup, which has been shifted to a 1 p.m. kickoff. The decision reflects the Patriots’ 11-2 record and lead in the AFC East, and the Ravens’ 6-7 mark and playoff hopes in the AFC North. The flex highlights the league’s practice of prioritizing high-stakes, nationally relevant games in late-season weeks to boost viewership. This marks the first prime-time flex of the 2025 season.