Week 16 In The NFL: A lot to play for, games with major playoff implications and draft positioning implications.
Week 16 In The NFL:
A lot to play for, games with major playoff implications and draft positioning implications.
Here is a preview of the early slate and late slate of NFL games which includes a short preview, players to watch, key matchups and a score prediction for each game.
Jets vs. Saints
2 rookie QBs go head to head. Loser gets better a draft pick. Winner gets a little more momentum for next year. A lot of different guys will get opportunities in this game.
Players to watch: WR Chris Olave NO; WR Adonai Mitchell
Key Matchup: NYJ passing game vs. NO passing game
Jets 17, Saints 28
Bills vs. Browns
Sanders will look to bounce back after last week’s rough performance against an all around very good Bills team. Meanwhile Allen and company will need another win to keep competing for the AFC Title. While on the other side, Myles Garrett is competing for the sack record.
Players to watch: QB Josh Allen BUF; DL Myles Garrett CLE
Key Matchup: BUF passing game vs. CLE pass rush
Bills 31, Browns 10
Chiefs vs. Titans
How will the Chiefs look without Patrick Mahomes? That’s the big question of this game. They are already eliminated from the playoffs so can Cam Ward get a chip on his shoulder with a win against the legendary Chiefs?
Players to watch: QB Gardner Minshew KC; QB Cam Ward TEN
Key Matchup: KC passing game vs. TEN Secondary
Chiefs 10, Titans 13
Chargers vs Cowboys
With the Eagles winning last night, the Cowboys have officially been eliminated from postseason play. An up and down season for Dallas will end in disappointing fashion once again. Meanwhile the Chargers are coming off 3 straight wins, all of which showed great grit. Herbert is banged up, their offensive line is also banged up. The Chargers are fighting for a top wild card spot in the AFC Playoffs. A win this week would help them get into that spot.
Players to watch: LB Tuli Tuipulotu LAC; RB Javonte Williams DAL
Key Matchup: LAC Defense vs DAL Offense
Chargers 23, Cowboys 27
Vikings vs. Giants
Both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs. Both teams have a young Quarterback that they are trying to develop. JJ McCarthy has had an up and down year, dealing with injuries and inconsistent play. The Vikings has had trouble with getting their star wide receiver the football. Jefferson is facing career lows in every stat category. Meanwhile the Giants are finding some hidden superstars within their offense. QB Jaxson Dart and WR Wandale Robinson has been a pleasant surprise for Giants fans. The Giants are in line for the number 1 overall pick. A loss would be close for them to secure it.
Players to watch: QB JJ McCarthy MIN; QB Jaxson Dart NYG
Key Matchup: MIN Pass Defense vs NYG Passing Offense
Vikings 24, Giants 21
Buccaneers vs Panthers
Probably the best game of the early slate in Week 16. These 2 teams are very familiar with each other being division rivals. The Bucs started this season hot. Baker looked like an MVP candidate, while Emeka Egbuka looked like the next big wide receiver. But then injuries happened and the Bucs have dropped 5 of their last 6 and Carolina has emerged as potential NFC South winners. Carolina is playing with swag and confidence. That team could be dangerous. Their defense has been playing excellent the last couple weeks and Bryce Young is playing better each week. Head Coach Dave Canales could be a sneaky coach of the year candidate if he and his team can sneak into the playoffs. Now can they compete? We will see.
Players to Watch: RB Bucky Irving TB; QB Bryce Young CAR
Key Matchup: TB Passing game vs CAR Passing Defense
Bucs 17, Panthers 20
Bengals vs. Dolphins
A matchup between 2 teams who have been recently eliminated. The Bengals were riding high after the return of Joe Burrow. Then 2 straight loses and the Bengals have been eliminated again. Meanwhile the Dolphins still cannot play in the cold. And Tua has been benched. Their former 1st round Quarterback who has led them to the playoffs in years past, failed to do so this year. So the Dolphins will turn to QB Quinn Ewers, former Texas Longhorns Quarterback. Ewers is playing for a future job in this league while the Bengals are playing for fun.
Players to Watch: TE Mike Gesicki. CIN; QB Quinn Ewers MIA
Key Matchup: CIN Passing Offense vs MIA Passing Offense
Bengals 28, Dolphins 14
Jaguars vs Broncos
Now time for the late slate of NFL Games. Jaguars and Broncos are two heavy force AFC teams, both looking for something to prove. The Jaguars have not been the old Jaguars. This high powered offense meets a high powered defense. QB Trevor Lawrence is coming off of a 6 Touchdown performance while QB Bo Nix is coming off of a 4 touchdown performance. This can be a high scoring game or a low scoring game. Time will tell. I cannot wait to watch this matchup. Grab your popcorn because this is the best matchup of the weekend.
Players to Watch: QB Trevor Lawrence JAX; QB Bo Nix DEN
Key Matchup: JAX QB/RBs vs DEN QB/WRs
Jaguars 31, Broncos 28
Falcons vs Cardinals
Now this is a game that means absolutely nothing. Sorry Falcons and Cardinals fans. There have been a couple surprise players for both teams this year despite both teams having disappointing seasons. RB Tyler Allgeier is having a good season despite being in the shadows of Bijan Robinson. And TE Kyle Pitts is coming off of a career night. The Cardinals have found a hidden star in WR Michael Wilson. Wilson has been feasting in the absence of Marvin Harrison.
Players to Watch: TE Kyle Pitts ATL; WR Michael Wilson ARI
Key Matchup: ATL Running Game vs ARI Run Defense
Falcons 21, Cardinals 17
Raiders vs Texans
The Raiders have nothing to play for while the Texans have everything to play for. Maybe the hottest team in the league with a scary defense that I do not want to face. The Texans are a sleeper team heading into the postseason. They are also in the midst of a fight for the AFC South. A win here would help them stay in the fight for the division with the Jaguars and Colts.
Players to Watch: TE Brock Bowers LV; DL Will Anderson HOU
Key Matchup: LV Run game vs HOU Run Defense
Raiders 7, Texans 31
Steelers vs Lions
With how QB Aaron Rodgers has been playing the last 2 weeks, this certainly seems like it could be a classic. Lions defense isn’t very good. But their offense, is considered elite, when clicking. The Lions are having a down year but still are considered one of the best teams in the league despite being a team looking in. However the Steelers have been hot the last 2 weeks with Rodgers and the veteran WRs having clicking on all cylinders. We will see if this chemistry can continue. The Steelers still control their own destiny for the North. A win would help them get a step closer to clinching a home playoff game. Meanwhile the Lions are fighting for their lives. This one could get interesting. You know Tomlin likes to play it close.
Players to Watch: QB Aaron Rodgers PIT; RB Jahmyr Gibbs DET
Key Matchup: PIT Run Defense vs DET Run Offense
Steelers 28, Lions 24
Multiple games features playoff teams going head to head, young Quarterbacks dueling each other and teams trying to stay alive and save their season. Week 16 should be entertaining. Grab your popcorn, grab a drink and lets watch some football.