The Baltimore Ravens’ Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday was moved from an early afternoon game to a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. That’s not sitting well with Ravens head coach John Harbaugh one bit.
John Harbaugh says the NFL didn’t do the Ravens any favors by moving their game back
Harbaugh wants the game to be earlier, so there will be more fans as the Ravens try to secure a playoff berth.
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“I don’t think the NFL did us any favors by moving it back,” Harbaugh said Tuesday via ESPN. “But they don’t care about us. So, we just have to care about ourselves. We have to take care of our own business. That goes for our team, for our fans, and for our city. Let’s go win the football game.”
Harbaugh fears that the NFL moving the game back on New Year’s Eve is going to affect the size of the crowd. The 9-6 Ravens are competing for a final playoff spot, and obviously would like every competitive advantage they can get. The crowds at M&T Bank Stadium usually provide a nice home field advantage, and Harbaugh wants there to be as many people there as possible.
The NFL moved five games from the 1 p.m. slot to 4:25 p.m. ET because of the playoff implications and they want the teams competing for playoff spots to be playing at the same time.
“I don’t know what their considerations are at the league office, and why they do what they do,” Harbaugh said. “I really don’t care, other than the fact that I hope our fans are OK with it. I hope they’re into it. I hope people get there. The people who have plans, I hope they give their tickets to someone else so they get there. I want the place to be packed and loud.”
Sunday’s slate of games is heavy on the late-afternoon side with seven early games, and nine late games. But for all of you worried about having to watch some Sunday Night Football game that could deter your New Year’s Eve plans, fear not. We’ll all be done with our NFL Sunday and regular season sometime around 7:35 p.m. ET.
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