by: Chandler Vessels 3 hours ago ChandlerVessels
The NFL has made a massive change to its Week 16 schedule. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the league has flexed a Dec. 20 matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears into the 8:20 p.m. ET slot, replacing the originally scheduled contest between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders.
Instead, the Eagles and Commanders will play in an earlier time slot at 5 p.m. ET. It will mark the first Saturday game of the 2025 NFL season.
The decision from the NFL likely comes due to the fact that Green Bay and Chicago are currently both in the race for not only the NFC North division title, but also the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Washington has effectively (though not officially) been eliminated from playoff contention with a 3-9 record.
This won’t be the first time that the two division rivals have met this season. The Bears and Packers are also set to face off on Sunday for the first time this year at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m. ET.