Patriots-Texans Week 14 Game Flexed Into ‘Sunday Night Football’ Slot

The New England Patriots will take on the Houston Texans under the lights in Week 14.

The NFL officially announced the Dec. 13 Patriots-Texans game had been “flexed” into the “Sunday Night Football” slot. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium in Houston.

The Texans have won four games in a row and five of six to move themselves into the current AFC playoff picture. They’re sitting in the No. 6 seed, as they own the tiebreaker over the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Additionally, the game has added intrigue for Patriots fans, with several New England ties in the Houston organization. Texans head coach Bill O’Brien previously served as an offensive coach with New England from 2007 to 2011, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel held the same position with the Patriots during their three Super Bowl victories from 2001 to 2004, linebackers coach Mike Vrabel and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork are former Patriots captains, and tight ends coach John Perry is an Andover native and former coach of the Merrimack College football team.

The Patriots-Texans game originally was scheduled for 1 p.m. The Seattle Seahawks-Baltimore Ravens game, previously scheduled to play in prime time that day, instead was moved to 1 p.m.

Thumbnail photo via Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports Images