Why the NFL flexed the Philadelphia Eagles out of primetime
The NFL has moved the Eagles–Commanders out of primetime as Packers–Bears take center stage in a high-stakes Week 16 NFC showdown.
The Philadelphia Eagles were one of the NFL’s most electric storylines a year ago. In 2025, however, the reigning champs haven’t delivered the same weekly thrill ride, and the league’s latest scheduling adjustment reflects that shift.
The Eagles’ Week 16 matchup against the Washington Commanders was originally locked into a primetime Saturday night slot on December 20. But on Tuesday, the NFL announced it was sliding the NFC East rivalry game out of the spotlight, moving it up to 5 p.m. ET that same day.
Taking its place under the lights is a surging NFC North showdown. The league flexed Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears into the 8:20 p.m. ET window, handing Green Bay and Chicago a national stage in late December, and nudging Philadelphia-Washington into an earlier broadcast.
NFL FLEX ALERT🏈🚨:Packers-Bears has been flexed into 8:20pm ET slot in Week 16.
— EssentiallySports (@ES_sportsnews) December 2, 2025
Eagles-Commanders will now be played at 5pm ET on Saturday, December 20. pic.twitter.com/grticRjaCo
Why the NFL made the switch
The Eagles, now 8–4, have cooled off after back-to-back losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears. Though they still sit atop the NFC East, the spark that fueled last year’s run hasn’t carried over consistently, making their matchup with the struggling Commanders a less compelling primetime draw.
Washington, meanwhile, has plummeted to 3–9 after entering the season with legitimate postseason aspirations. A conference finalist last year, the Commanders have unraveled over the past two months, dropping seven straight. That combination was no match for the stakes in the NFC North.
The Bears, guided by first-year head coach Ben Johnson and second-year star Caleb Williams, sit at 9–3 and hold the lead in the division. Green Bay isn’t far behind at 8–3-1, turning December 20 into a battle that could swing both the North race and top-seed positioning in the NFC.
The NFL likes bigger playoff implications in primetime, and this one checked every box.
Though Philadelphia loses its Week 16 primetime billing, Jalen Hurts and company aren’t disappearing from national TV. The Eagles are still slated for Monday Night Football in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers, a matchup that could steady their season or further tighten the NFC East.
For now, the spotlight shifts elsewhere, and the Eagles-Commanders rivalry gets a quieter stage as both teams try to stop late-season skids.
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