Logo

Time Change: Patriots vs. Ravens Game Set for Prime Time Sunday Night –If A Patriots Win Would Give Them Control of the AFC

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts – The NFL has officially announced that the Week 16 matchup between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens will be moved to the prime time Sunday Night Football slot, taking place at 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 21, at M&T Bank Stadium. This is the replacement game for the Bengals–Dolphins, which has been shifted down to the 1:00 p.m. ET slot.

Patriots vs. Ravens Gets Kickoff Time Change

The flex to Sunday Night Football shows the level of respect the NFL is giving the Patriots at this moment. From a team that finished at the bottom of the standings last season, New England has risen powerfully with an 11-2 record, owning a 10-game winning streak, and is directly competing for the AFC's No. 1 seed. The impressive performance of rookie Drake Maye has made the Patriots the highlight of the season.

The Ravens, despite inconsistent play, still possess Lamar Jackson – one of the most captivating QBs in the national window. Jackson's presence against Maye makes the NFL view this as a much more appealing matchup than Bengals vs. Dolphins, which has slumped with Joe Burrow missing most of the season and Miami consistently faltering.

The flex isn't just for television – it clearly reflects the current AFC landscape. Both the Patriots and Ravens are in a fierce race, and this 8:20 p.m. ET game could decide which team will fully control the AFC, especially in the battle for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

For the Patriots, this is their fourth Sunday Night Football game of the season, marking a powerful shift in how the league perceives the team in the Drake Maye era. Both New England and Baltimore understand that this showdown isn't just a game for one week — it's a battle that could shape the entire playoffs.

Patriots. Ravens. Sunday Night. 8:20 p.m. ET – And the AFC belongs to the winner

After Serving His Sentence, Former Raiders First-Round Pick Announces Desire to Join Detroit Lions — Willing to Start Over as a Rookie Lions for a Chance to Return to the NFL
This morning, the NFL world was once again shaken when Henry Ruggs III, the former first-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders, spoke out for the first time since completing his sentence — and made a shocking statement that immediately sent ripples through the league. Ruggs, who was once considered one of the fastest and most talented young wide receivers in football, declared that he is determined to continue his career and is solely focused on joining the Detroit Lions, even if it means starting over completely as a rookie with the team. Now 26 years old, Ruggs spoke with quiet determination, a stark contrast to the excessive scrutiny of his past. “I know what I’ve done, and I know what I’ve lost,” he said through his representative on Tuesday morning. “If I’m allowed to return to the football field, I’m ready to start over. If that means starting as a rookie with the Lions, with no guarantees and no promises — I’ll accept it. I just want a chance.” This announcement comes at a critical moment for Detroit, a team known for offering second chances — but only to those who prove they’re willing to rebuild their lives with discipline, humility, and relentless work ethic. While the Lions have not publicly commented, internal discussions are said to acknowledge the complexity: Ruggs' raw talent is undeniable, but the shadow of the tragic DUI crash in 2021 still looms over any organization considering him. Despite this, Ruggs remains steadfast in his desire to join Detroit. According to those close to him, he sees the Lions' culture — one that has been built on toughness, resilience, and the leadership of new head coach Dan Campbell — as the perfect environment to rebuild both his career and his identity. “If I’m going to fight to come back,” Ruggs said, “I want to do it with a team where every inch of ground has to be earned. That’s Detroit.” NFL analysts immediately pointed out that if allowed to return by the league, Ruggs' options would be very limited. The most realistic path is to start as a true rookie with the Lions, accepting the lowest possible salary and proving himself from day one. Whether Detroit will consider this possibility remains unclear. But Ruggs' statement — born from humility, desperation, and the belief that redemption must be earned, not given — has sparked a nationwide debate: Can a first-round talent who fell from grace truly work his way back in a league that once believed he could become a star? For now, Ruggs is waiting. Training alone. Hoping. And preparing, in his own words, "to start from zero if necessary."