Ravens-Steelers Forced To Kickoff At 3:40PM Because NBC Has To Broadcast The 88th Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting

This is so 2020.

The NFL is forced to play a football game on Wednesday because of COVID-19 after the Ravens-Steelers game was forced to move from Thanksgiving Day to Tuesday and eventually to Wednesday.

It’s unchartered water for the NFL – who is playing the first game on Wednesday since 2012. But this game won’t be a prime-time game like many expected, instead the game will kickoff at 3:40 p.m. on .. Wednesday.

And the reason why?

Because the network that is broadcasting the game – NBC – is scheduled to broadcast the 88th Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting.

Another ultimate 2020 note: the Ravens-Steelers game is kicking off Wednesday at 3:40 pm because NBC wanted and was committed to broadcasting the 88th Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday night, per sources. Tree lighting trumped football.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 30, 2020

What a time to be alive!