PatsFans.com Menu
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans
PatsFans.com - The Hub For New England Patriots Fans

HOME > Patriots Blog > Patriots News

Patriots Find Themselves Flexed Into The Spotlight vs Ravens

NFL flexes Patriots-Ravens game to prime time, spotlighting a key AFC playoff showdown

Ian Logue
Ian Logue on Twitter
December 8, 2025 at 8:42 pm ET

Patriots Find Themselves Flexed Into The Spotlight vs Ravens
(PHOTO: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
🕑 Read Time: 1 minutes

As the NFL gets ready to head into the final month of the season, it’s made some changes when it comes to trying to ensure the most compelling match-ups are the ones placed into the spotlight.

Oddly enough, the Patriots suddenly fall into that category, and they’ve found themselves with another prime-time slate thanks to a change on Monday by the league.

The NFL flexed the Week 16 game against the Ravens into the Sunday Night slot, with New England’s showdown in Baltimore now set for 8:20 pm on December 21st.

That game replaces the original match-up between the Dolphins and Bengals, with both Miami (6-7) and Cincinnati (4-9) getting kicked back to a 1:00 pm start time, as neither is considered a contender.  Instead, the battle between the Patriots and Ravens will be the one everyone will get to see on Sunday Night Football, with that match-up also likely having significant postseason implications.

The move puts the Patriots back on the national stage for the fourth time this season, with New England already having played the Bills, Jets, and Giants in primetime.  The Patriots most recently beat the Giants 33-15 at Gillette Stadium back on December 1st prior to entering their bye week.

Until then, New England faces a tough battle this weekend, with the Patriots sitting with an opportunity to clinch the AFC East with a win over Buffalo when the Bills visit Gillette Stadium.  Kickoff for that game is currently set for 1:00 pm.

About Ian Logue

Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.


Tags: AFC East Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills New England Patriots NFL Flex Scheduling playoffs Prime Time Games sunday night football
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

More Patriots News Headlines:

Wolf Cites ‘Untapped Potential’ After Patriots Select Notre Dame Tight End Raridon

Wolf Cites ‘Untapped Potential’ After Patriots Select Notre Dame Tight End Raridon

By: Ian Logue
Eli Raridon brings untapped potential to the Patriots after being selected in the third round, addressing the team's tight end needs.
1 hour ago
Patriots Trade-Up Landed Them a Defensive Menace in Jacas

Patriots Trade-Up Landed Them a Defensive Menace in Jacas

By: Ian Logue
Patriots Executive Eliot Wolf traded up for Illinois linebacker Gabe Jacas, a defensive menace known for his disruptive pass-rushing skills and high sack totals.
3 hours ago
TRANSCRIPT: Eliot Wolf Night Two Press Conference 4/24

TRANSCRIPT: Eliot Wolf Night Two Press Conference 4/24

By: Ian Logue
Here’s what New England Patriots Executive Vice President of Player Personnel, Eliot Wolf, had to say following the team's selections on night two of the…
5 hours ago
MORSE: Patriots Don’t Sit Back, Team Trades up to Get Their Guy

MORSE: Patriots Don’t Sit Back, Team Trades up to Get Their Guy

By: Mark Morse
Eliot Wolf traded up for Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas in the second round, then drafted TE Eli Raridon in the third round of the NFL…
8 hours ago
TRANSCRIPT: Caleb Lomu’s Interview with New England media 4/23

TRANSCRIPT: Caleb Lomu’s Interview with New England media 4/23

By: Ian Logue
Here's what New England Patriots first-round draft pick Caleb Lomu had to say after being drafted with the 28th overall pick Thursday night.
1 day ago

Free Newsletter

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

Join 2,000+ fans getting exclusive stats, analysis, and insights delivered straight to their inbox every week. Never miss a play.

πŸ“Š
Weekly Stats Deep-dive analysis
🎯
First Access New features & tools
πŸ“€
Breaking News Player Signings & Rumors

Subscribe Now

* required

Intuit Mailchimp