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.

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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