Hello readers! The week that was Week 15 brought us some crazy storylines and a successful week in picks. With Week 16 upon us, the regular season has just three more weeks left of regular season play left. Not a lot left to just wait and see what happens, teams have to go out and get a playoff spot now or wait until next year. The games that I'm keeping an eye on this week are: the Broncos-Chargers, Steelers-Ravens, Lions-Bears, Eagles-Commanders and Buccaneers-Cowboys games. In this post, I will do a playoff picture for Week 16, as well as the preview and picks for the games, and the Early and Late TV Broadcast pairings that FOX and CBS will have for the Sunday afternoon slate.
NFL Playoff Picture: Week 16
The regular season is entering its sixteenth week of play, with three weeks to go including this week. The week has teams locking up playoff berths and some that are still fighting for a spot. Let's take a look at the NFC.
Seeding
1st seed: Detroit Lions (12-2) (clinched playoff berth)
Super Wild Card Weekend Matchups
Washington @ Philadelphia
In the Hunt
Seattle (8-6), Atlanta (7-7), Arizona (7-7), San Francisco (6-8), Dallas (6-8), New Orleans (5-9)
Seeding
1st seed: Kansas City Chiefs (13-1) (clinched AFC West)
Super Wild Card Weekend Matchups
LA Chargers @ Buffalo
In the Hunt
Indianapolis (6-8), Miami (6-8), Cincinnati (6-8)
Week 16 Preview
The sixteenth week of the National Football League's regular season will start in Inglewood, California and finish up in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The week features a 16-game slate where all 32 teams will play. Week 16 has seven division games, two interconference game, two AFC games and five NFC games. There will be a Thursday night game, two Saturday games, seven early games, four late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. No teams are on a bye this week. Doubleheader this week goes to CBS and FOX will have the single, regional game. Let's get to the picks!
Week 16 Picks
Note: All game times are in US Eastern.
Denver (9-5) @ LA Chargers (8-6) (Amazon Prime; 8:15 pm)
Pick: Chargers
The Broncos beat the Colts and the Chargers lost to the Buccaneers last week. Denver keeps on rolling in a season of low expectations for them. the Broncos last week looked down but once the turnovers and momentum swung their way. Once the turnovers came the the score went from a 13-10 lead for the Colts to a 31-13 lead with three touchdowns in eight minutes. The game this week might be the biggest in their season. The Broncos have done it with a good gameplan for Bo Nix to get comfortable and excel at and a defense that can make plays. The Broncos aren't the best at running the football but that could change in an instant.All-time series: Broncos lead 73-56-1
Houston (9-5) @ Kansas City (13-1) (NBC; 1:00 pm)
Pick: Texans
The Texans beat the Dolphins and the Chiefs beat the Browns last week. Houston got a win against a relatively decent team in Miami. The Dolphins couldn't do a whole lot due to the Texans defense. Houston's offense did enough to get a win with 20 points. The Texans this week go up against the class of the AFC in the Chiefs. Houston might have some advantage in this game. The Chiefs offense just seems to be missing a beat at times. If they can throw Patrick Mahomes off a bit. It all depends really on if the prolific passer can play this game as he is day-to-day with a knee injury. It might be enough for the Texans to get a win with a weakened Chiefs team.All-time series: Chiefs lead 9-5
Pittsburgh (10-4) @ Baltimore (9-5) (FOX; 4:30 pm)
Pick: Steelers
The Steelers lost to the Eagles and the Ravens beat the Giants last week. The 2nd of the two games being shown on Saturday. It is the first time that FOX will show the epic Steelers-Ravens rivalry. The Steelers come into this game with a humbling loss against the Eagles. Sadly it will be at least another season to see if they can win in Philadelphia since 1965. History aside, the Steelers have dominated the rivalry for the past few seasons. The games have been a low-scoring affair but defense has generally dominated the games. Pittsburgh's defense should be able to handle the Ravens offense at least one would would assume. I question the Steelers offense as they have been faltering a little bit. Physical football usually includes the running game and the Steelers will need a good game from Najee Harris.All-time series: Steelers lead 36-25
Cleveland (3-11) @ Cincinnati (6-8) (CBS; 1:00 pm)
Pick: Bengals
The Browns lost to the Chiefs and the Bengals beat the Titans last week. Cleveland has had a rough season. The play of Jameis Winston hasn't helped. Injuries to their stars on offense haven't helped either. DeShaun Watson getting injured didn't help either. If Kevin Stefanski gets fired I hope he gets another job. He deserves better. Cleveland will be without the help of Nick Chubb who once again got an injury in the loss against Kansas City. The running game should be alright as Jerome Ford is a capable running back as he had a long run last week for a touchdown.All-time series: Bengals lead 54-48
Arizona (7-7) @ Carolina (3-11) (FOX; 1:00 pm)
Pick: Cardinals
The Cardinals beat the Patriots and the Panthers lost to the Cowboys last week. Arizona got a win last week. It was a needed win as the Cardinals before the game had a three-game losing streak going on. It was against the Patriots but at this time of the season, a win is a win. They got it done with a running game that is very underrated and a defense that effectively shut down the Patriots offense until the latter moments in the 4th quarter. Into this week, the Cardinals will need to win the rest of their games to attempt to get into the playoffs. They face off against Carolina who has the opportunity to play spoiler. The Cardinals in this game will need to keep the pace up and utilize the running game and protect the football as much as possible. The Panthers aren't a good team, don't give them a reason to let them in this game.All-time series: Panthers lead 14-6
Detroit (12-2) @ Chicago (4-10) (FOX; 1:00 pm)
Pick: Lions
The Lions lost to the Bills and the Bears lost to the Vikings last week. Detroit suffered a loss for the first time since Week 2 against Tampa Bay. It was a bit of a humbling loss but it was against Buffalo. At least it wasn't against Carolina. Division games are a bit of an odd one as both teams know each other very well and they tend to be very physical. Especially in this iteration of the Black and Blue division. Detroit should win this game but the last time these two teams played it was a bit of a chaotic ending. Matt Eberflus and clock management anyone? Detroit will need to play well in this game and not play with their food in this one. The Bears have Vikings fans watching this game and certainly Packers fans as well.All-time series: Bears lead 105-79-5
LA Rams (8-6) @ NY Jets (4-10) (CBS; 1:00 pm)
Pick: Rams
The Rams beat the 49ers and the Jets beat the Jaguars last week. The Rams swept the 49ers in a season series. They didn't do a whole lot on offense but they did more than the 49ers at least. With four field goals they snuck past the 49ers. With the 49ers out of the way, the Rams look to either get in the playoffs as a wild card or a division winner. First they have to beat the Jets. New York's offense isn't a slouch but it isn't a high-octane machine either. The Rams defense might struggle a bit. What was impressing was the Rams defense in shutting down the 49ers offense. It'll be a big thing to build on for this week.All-time series: Rams lead 10-5
New England (3-11) @ Buffalo (11-3) (CBS; 4:25 pm)
Pick: Bills
The Patriots lost to the Cardinals and the Bills beat the Lions last week. The Patriots have had a long season. It usually is long when you're a team that is within the top-5 in the draft. They have a 3-11 record which isn't great but given expectations of the team, it wasn't expected to be high. They will face off against their former punching bag in the Bills who have now turned the tables on their rivals since 2020. The Patriots do have Drake Maye who has a promising career ahead of him. Sadly his rookie season will be marred by offensive ineptitude and bad offensive line play. I find it hard to take these guys in this one when they don't do great on either side of the ball.All-time series: Patriots lead 78-50-1
NY Giants (2-12) @ Atlanta (7-7) (FOX; 1:00 pm)
Pick: Falcons
The Giants lost to the Ravens and the Falcons beat the Raiders last week. New York has had a rough season. Enough to the point where planes fly over MetLife Stadium begging the Mara family to sell the team. Keep in mind, the Mara's have own the team since the team's founding in the 1920's. New York in this game might be okayish. Tommy DeVito got injured in his first start last week and Tim Boyle will likely get the nod in this one. The sample for Boyle is a 12-14 passing for 123 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Giants passing game has been a eyesore and they do have Malik Nabers to build off of in a wide receiver corp. Tyrone Tracy Jr. has been a decent back as well. I am not sure how well the Giants can play against a new quarterback for the Falcons.All-time series: Falcons lead 14-12
Philadelphia (12-2) @ Washington (9-5) (FOX; 1:00 pm)
Pick: Commanders
The Eagles beat the Steelers and the Commanders beat the Saints last week. The Eagles looked really good against the Steelers. They had their way with them and even got a few touchdowns past their defensive front. Anything is up in the air when it comes to division matchups and the Eagles and Commanders have always kept things close. The last time these two teams met, the Eagles would score 20 points in the 4th quarter and would hold off one last Commanders march. I think things will be different when they're in Landover. I think the offense needs to get back to running the ball a bit more against the Commanders. It seemed to work well last time. As well as stopping the Commanders run game.All-time series: commanders lead 89-85-5
Tennessee (3-11) @ Indianapolis (6-8) (CBS; 1:00 pm)
Pick: Colts
The Titans lost to the Bengals and the Colts lost to the Broncos last week. Tennessee has had a rough season. The team is just not a great offensive team. They do have a decent run game with Tony Pollard but the rest of the team is just playing meh football. The defense is sadly better than the offense but most people wouldn't have noticed it based on their record. The Titans could possibly play spoiler as the Colts are trying to hang on and hope for a playoff spot. I just don't know if they can keep up against them. The play of Anthony Richardson could possibly give the Titans a run for their money. He is a wild card.All-time series: Colts lead 38-22
Minnesota (12-2) @ Seattle (8-6) (FOX; 4:05 pm)
Pick: Vikings
The Vikings beat the Bears and the Seahawks lost to the Packers last week. Minnesota has had a successful season. They could possibly win this game and have the Lions lose and they would be able to take control of the NFC North. For this game, the Vikings will need to play better in terms of passing the ball. Sam Darnold was off a bit on some throws against Chicago, including the rare interception last week. The offense will need to do their due diligence against the Seahawks defense that was having a decent time of things this season. The Vikings should win this game with their offense and the defense shutting down the Seahawks offense with Sam Howell or Geno Smith. Whoever makes the start at quarterback.All-time series: Seahawks lead 13-6
Jacksonville (3-11) @ Las Vegas (2-12) (CBS; 4:25 pm)
Pick: Raiders
The Jaguars lost to the Jets and the Raiders lost to the Falcons last week. A battle of two teams vying for the #1 pick. Sadly one of them has to win this one or at least tie. It could get ugly. Mac Jones as a Jaguar hasn't gone great. Maybe to be expected as he was slightly better when he was in New England. The experiment has kind of failed. The rest of the team isn't as better but they have some pieces to work. Tank Bigsby is certainly a capable running back that can get yards.All-time series: Jaguars lead 6-4
San Francisco (6-8) @ Miami (6-8) (CBS; 4:25 pm)
Pick: Dolphins
Both teams lost as the 49ers lost to the Rams and the Dolphins lost to the Texans last week. San Francisco has had a slightly rough season in an NFC title defense this season. It is a season of injuries, not closing out games, not paying attention to details sort of season. The injuries happens to all teams. It is a recurring theme for the 49ers in past seasons. It might be a season where the 49ers will have to make a lot of decisions regarding keeping or letting Christian McCaffrey go or paying Brock Purdy big money. That's in the future. In this game, the 49ers might be able to get a win but they have to do better on offense with a balance on offense and take the pressure off of Brock Purdy. The defense will have its hands full with Jonnu Smith and Tyreek Hill for sure.All-time series: Dolphins lead 8-7
Tampa Bay (8-6) @ Dallas (6-8) (NBC; 8:20 pm)
Pick: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers beat the Chargers and the Cowboys beat the Panthers last week. The Sunday night game features a team that is trying to stay in the playoffs as a division winner while the other is just trying to get a win and hope for the best. Tampa got a big win against the Chargers. A win against a relatively good team in Los Angeles. With a healthy core the Buccaneers can make a run and make opponents in the NFC playoffs quake at their feet. I wouldn't want to face them with that tandem of wide receivers and a running game that can hurt. The Buccaneers offense isn't without faults. Baker Mayfield has been known to throw interceptions when he shouldn't. He plays the hero a bit too much at times. They need to be cautious against the Cowboys.All-time series: Cowboys lead 16-6
New Orleans (5-9) @ Green Bay (10-4) (ABC; 8:15 pm)
Pick: Packers
The Saints lost to the Commanders and the Packers beat the Seahawks last week. New Orleans was once upon a time the highest scoring, highest-yardage team in the NFL. That was back in Week 2 after a blowout win at Dallas. You'd be surprised to see that they are 3-9 since that time. It certainly hurts even more that their offensive leader in passing stats is injured again. Jake Haener wasn't much of a factor against Washington but his backup Spencer Rattler did provide some help to an offense that needed it. They now go to the cold of Lambeau Field a few days before Christmas. I don't trust their offense but maybe their defense can do something against the Packers. Maybe is a bit of a stretch.All-time series: Packers lead 18-10
Early & Late Game TV Broadcast Pairings
Note: Games in bold are being shown in my area, check local listings
CBS Early
For more information on which game is being shown in your area check out: NFL 2024: Week 16 Maps
Records
Week 1: 14-2
Week 2: 10-6
Week 5: 3-11
2019: 161-94-1
2022: 166-103-2
2023: 161-111
See you all after the Monday night game for the Week 16 Recap! Enjoy the games!
-Tom
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