Sunday Night Football features two teams going in vastly different directions as the season winds down. One of which is an AFC team fighting for their playoff lives, while the other is playing out the string as their future is far from certain.
As the season grows longer, every game begins to hold more meaning, especially for teams looking to secure seeding in a tightly contested AFC playoff battle. What time does the NFL game start tonight, and how can you watch it?
Who Plays on Sunday Night Football Tonight?
- Teams:Â New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos
- Location: Empower Field, Denver, Colorado
Week 16 gives us an AFC matchup that feels like we did something wrong to end up on the naughty list. The woeful New England Patriots travel west to take on the Denver Broncos as these two teams come into Christmas Eve with entirely different situations.
The Broncos head into Week 16 with a 7-7 record, fighting for their playoff lives. They have gone 2-2 in their last four games and have a winnable stretch of games to end the season. They’ll need every one of them to go their way to get themselves into playoff position, and it starts with a game against a poor Patriots team that has a stout defense.
The Broncos faced a tough road to get to Week 16 but were allotted an extra day of preparation for this matchup. Head coach Sean Payton was grateful for how the scheduling worked out for them heading into this important matchup allowing them to get extra preparation for a tough Belichick defense.
“We had three games in 13 days and in three different time zones when you look at that stretch,” Payton said of the logistic concerns Denver has faced with the preceding three straight road games. “I just felt like it was necessary. This has been good. We’re healthy, for the most part. I thought the energy this week was good. We have a night game at home.”
As for the Patriots, they are one of the worst teams in the NFL record-wise. With a lot of uncertainty to come following the season, it feels like players and coaches alike are just moving with the thought that winning is the best remedy for all.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
They are fresh off an impressive road win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in what was Bailey Zappe’s best performance as an NFL QB. But it has been the lack of consistency on the offensive side of the ball that has held them back all year.
The Patriots have a chance to be a Scrooge for the playoff-hopeful Broncos on this Christmas Eve prime-time matchup. Will it be prosperity for Payton and Co. or will it be ba hum bug provided by Belichick and the boys?
What Time Is Sunday Night Football Tonight?
- Date: Dec. 24, 2023
- Start time:Â 8:20 p.m. ET
TV Channel and Live Stream for SNF
- TV channel:Â NBC
- Live stream:Â Peacock, NBCSports.com
Want to stream NFL games at home or on the go this season? Check out FuboTV, a streaming platform that provides you with live sports across multiple devices. Additionally, make sure to check out our comprehensive guide on how to livestream NFL games.
Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!
