The Week 16 NFL lineup will see a major change as the New England Patriots travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens in a Sunday Night Football slot on NBC. That move will replace the Cincinnati Bengals‑Miami Dolphins game scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 21, which will shift to a 1 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS.
Sunday Night Football Schedule Update
The NFL’s Week 16 slate now features the Patriots at the Ravens in the prime‑time slot. The previous matchup between the Bengals and Dolphins, which had been slated for the NBC broadcast, will instead air on CBS at 1 p.m. ET. The Sunday Night Football schedule for the remaining weeks is:
- Week 15: Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys
- Week 16: Patriots at Ravens (NBC)
- Week 17: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers
- Week 18: TBD
Patriots’ Position in the AFC
The Patriots, led by quarterback Drake Maye, currently sit at an 11‑2 record. They are competing for the AFC’s No. 1 seed alongside the Denver Broncos, who also hold an 11‑2 record. The Patriots’ performance has positioned them as a top contender for the division and the overall conference.
Dolphins’ Stand in the AFC East
The Miami Dolphins have improved to a 6‑7 record after a challenging start to the season. Despite the turbulence, the team is pursuing a playoff spot. Their schedule now includes a 1 p.m. CBS game against the Bengals, offering a different time for fans to watch.
Bengals’ Current Record
The Cincinnati Bengals finished the most recent game with a 4‑9 record. Their performance has been hampered by injuries, notably the return of Joe Burrow from a turf‑toe injury. The shift to a 1 p.m. slot on CBS will give the Bengals a chance to regroup before the next week’s game.
Ravens’ Competition for the AFC North
The Baltimore Ravens, featuring quarterback Lamar Jackson, also hold a 6‑7 record. They remain in contention for the AFC North title, trailing the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are 7‑6. The Steelers are anchored by quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Impact on Viewership
The move of the Patriots‑Ravens game to NBC’s Sunday Night Football slot is expected to attract a larger audience, given the high profile of the matchup and the prime‑time placement. Conversely, the Bengals‑Dolphins game will reach viewers earlier in the day on CBS.
Key Takeaways
- The Patriots‑Ravens game will occupy the Sunday Night Football slot on NBC.
- The Bengals‑Dolphins game moves to a 1 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS.
- The Patriots, at 11‑2, are vying for the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
- The Dolphins, at 6‑7, are pursuing a playoff spot.
- The Ravens, also 6‑7, remain in the hunt for the AFC North title.
The scheduling change reflects the NFL’s strategy to showcase high‑stakes games in prime‑time slots while providing earlier broadcasts for other matchups. Fans of the Patriots, Dolphins, Bengals, and Ravens will need to adjust their viewing plans accordingly as the season approaches its final stretch.
