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TIME UPDATE: New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens Game Flexed — What Fans Need to Know

Foxborough, Massachusetts – The NFL has officially flexed the Week 16 matchup between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens into the Sunday Night Football slot, moving the game to 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at M&T Bank Stadium. The move replaces Bengals–Dolphins, a game that lost appeal due to injuries and inconsistent play, and it underscores the Patriots’ strong return to prominence on the NFL landscape.

For the Patriots, the flex is more than a schedule change — it’s recognition. After finishing near the bottom of the standings last season, New England now holds an 11–3 record, having just seen a 10-game winning streak end with a loss to the Bills (blowing a 21-point advantage). They still lead the AFC East and remain in the hunt for a top seed in the AFC. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye continues to be the defining story of the season. While he turned in the worst performance of his young career in the most recent game, his overall impact has elevated the roster and returned the Patriots to contender status far earlier than expected.

Patriots vs. Ravens prediction, odds, pick for Week 16 Sunday Night Football

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens, at 7–7, remain one of the AFC’s most dangerous teams once the playoffs arrive. Baltimore has lacked week-to-week consistency, but with Lamar Jackson under center, they are always must-see TV. Jackson’s ability to change a game on a single play provides the star power the NFL prioritizes in prime time — especially opposite a rising young quarterback like Maye, who represents the Patriots’ new era.

The NFL’s decision is about more than ratings; it’s about playoff significance. This matchup sits at a critical crossroads in the AFC. The Patriots need a win to strengthen their grip near the top of the conference (currently No. 2 behind the 12–2 Broncos), while the Ravens view this game as an opportunity to disrupt the standings and assert themselves either as a wild-card force or in the race for the AFC North, where they currently sit second behind the Steelers.

This will also mark the Patriots’ fourth appearance on Sunday Night Football this season — a number few would have predicted back in August. Their return to the league’s biggest stage highlights a dramatic shift in perception during the Drake Maye era. This is no longer a quietly rebuilding team; it’s a legitimate contender being tested under the brightest lights.

Both teams understand the stakes extend far beyond Week 16. Prime time brings pressure, scrutiny, and opportunity — and on Sunday night in Baltimore, the AFC race could tilt decisively.

Patriots. Ravens. Sunday Night Football. 8:20 p.m. ET.
In December, games like this don’t just shape the standings — they shape the postseason.

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Cowboys Mourn Beloved Field Reporter After Tragic Domestic Violence Incident as Cowboys star Steps Forward in Support
Dallas, Texas – December 2025 The Dallas Cowboys community is in mourning after the tragic death of a longtime field reporter who covered the team for more than a decade. She passed away at the age of 39 following a heartbreaking domestic violence incident, leaving behind her 3-year-old child and a legacy that touched everyone inside AT&T Stadium and far beyond it. For years, she was a familiar and trusted presence along the Cowboys’ sideline. Through sweltering September afternoons, prime-time showdowns, and high-stakes playoff nights, she delivered insightful reports, heartfelt postgame interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories that brought fans closer to the team. Her work spanned multiple eras of Cowboys football, and her calm professionalism made her a respected figure among players, coaches, and fellow journalists. Authorities confirmed that her passing was connected to a domestic violence incident. While the investigation remains ongoing, the devastating news sent shockwaves through the NFL world. Beyond the loss of a respected journalist, the tragedy left a young child without a mother — a reality that has weighed heavily on the Cowboys organization and its fan base. Tributes quickly poured in from across social media. Cowboys fans, fellow reporters, former players, and rival teams alike shared messages of grief, remembrance, and prayer. Many emphasized that she was never just assigned to cover the Cowboys — she was part of the extended family that travels with the team season after season. Inside the locker room, the loss was deeply felt. Several players privately reflected on how she treated them with respect and empathy, especially during difficult moments early in their careers. Coaches described her as someone who understood the human side of the game, not just the final score. Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb felt that loss personally. Upon learning of the tragedy, Lamb reached out to the reporter’s family to offer his condolences and support. According to sources close to the situation, Lamb later visited the family in person and donated $100,000 to help cover medical and funeral expenses, hoping to ease some of the burden during an unimaginably painful time. “This is bigger than football,” Lamb shared quietly with those around him. “She cared about this team, this city, and the people in it. I just wanted her family to know they’re not alone — Cowboys Nation is with them.” The gesture resonated deeply within the Dallas community. Fans praised Lamb not for the donation itself, but for the compassion behind it, seeing it as a reflection of the unity that defines Cowboys Nation at its best. While her absence leaves an irreplaceable void on the sideline, her legacy endures through the stories she told, the relationships she built, and the humanity she brought to her work. As Dallas continues to grieve, Cowboys Nation has come together in prayer and remembrance — honoring a life of dedication, and ensuring she will never be forgotten.