Saturday Games:
(7-7) Washington Redskins v (8-6) Tennessee Titans
The Redskins are going to have to muster up another win to stay in the hunt, while the Titans sit at a golden opportunity to gain that last wild card slot. With the Ravens playing the Charger, this opens the door for the Titans to leap from them if the Titans take care of business.
Titans
Titans
(8-6) Baltimore Ravens v (11-3) Los Angeles Chargers
Looks like Baltimore will be keeping John Harbaugh for a few more years. Rumors of him leaving to go to college will now be put to bed. And they can focus on continuing to build this team (possibly) around Lamar Jackson. And now they have a big game ahead of them against the Chargers. The Steelers have been in a slump, and there are two other teams at 8-6 other than the Ravens. So a win here could not only keep them at that 6th spot, but possibly steal the division from the Steelers. Unfortunately, a loss could mean them watching the playoffs from the couch.
Chargers
Chargers
Sunday Games:
(5-9) New York Giants v (8-6) Indianapolis Colts
The Colts (perhaps) have the easiest route to getting to 9-6 after this week. They are starring at an opportunity to earn a spot after their turnaround season. This is the game I am circling as a possible upset.
Giants
Colts
(4-10) Jacksonville Jaguars v (7-7) Miami Dolphins
The battle of Florida teams, both teams will be watching the playoffs from home this year. But the Dolphins are technically still in the hunt. A win here could keep their hopes alive.
Dolphins
Dolphins
(5-9) Atlanta Falcons v (6-8) Carolina Panthers
This game is about pride. Two teams in the South, who had disappointing seasons. The Panthers being in a spot where they were playoff bound back in October, they slid right out of contention. They will be sitting Cam Newton the last two games due to a shoulder injury, a move I felt was smart. With Cam sitting out the last two games, this opens the game up for the defense of the Falcons to tee off. As they do not have to fear the quarterback taking off on them. It will be interesting to see how this game plays out, with Julio Jones being a game time decision.
Falcons
Panthers
(6-8) Cincinnati Bengals v (6-7-1) Cleveland Browns
Last time these two teams played, Browns Rookie QB, Baker Mayfield, had some choice words about former coach Hue Jackson. Eyes will be on this game to see how this plays out. I expect Baker Mayfield to come out on fire, this team has a chip on their shoulder and they are showing it.
Bengals
Browns
(5-9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers v (8-6) Dallas Cowboys
Dallas knows what they need to do. They got shut out last week against the Colts, and now they are going to have to show that they learned from that game. There is still confidence that this Dallas Cowboy team can make noise in the playoffs, but lose this game and that confidence will begin to fade.
Cowboys
Cowboys
(7-6-1) Minnesota Vikings v (5-9) Detroit Lions
(Inserting the phase I have used for the past weeks) We will have to see which Detroit Lions team show up this week. This team has the potential to dominate this game, but the question is will they?
Vikings
Vikings
(5-9) Buffalo Bills v (9-5) New England Patriots
The Patriots are dangerous right now. They are where they thrive, with people counting them out. With their loss last week to the Steelers, and the news involving Josh Gordon, this team are seeing a lot of doubters. And frankly, that is what this team loves.
Patriots
Patriots
(5-8-1) Green Bay Packers v (4-10) New York Jets
The Packers are still in the hunt for a replacement for Mike McCarthy. The Jets, however, may end up looking at bringing Mike to run their sidelines. Mike McCarthy did win a championship with the Packers, and there are a number of teams that are going to want to bring him aboard.
As far as this week 16 matchup, Rookie Sam Darnold will get his first shot at beating Aaron Rodgers.
Packers
Packers
(10-4) Houston Texans v (7-7) Philadelphia Eagles
Running back Lamar Miller will be sitting out this game due to an ankle injury. The Texans are looking to grab this win to clinch their division. But it will not be given to them, as the Eagles are needing this win to stay in the hunt. The Eagles will be looking to Alshon Jeffery to be a big matchup in their favor on the outside.
Texans
Texans
(11-3) Los Angeles Rams v (3-11) Arizona Cardinals
Todd Gurley will be a game time decision in this game. With the Rams having already clinched, I would not be surprised if they decided to rest him for the playoffs, or limit his touches. This is a game where I would not be surprised to see the Rams try and get ahead early so they can rest their stars.
Rams
Rams
(10-4) Chicago Bears v (4-10) San Francisco 49ers
49ers Nick Mullens will get to play one of the best defenses in the league. He will be feeling the pressure from Khalil Mack all day. Given how the 49ers line have been hit and miss all year, Nick Mullens could have a long afternoon.
49ers
Bears
(8-5-1) Pittsburgh Steelers v (12-2) New Orleans Saints
The Steelers are needing to continue their win streak to stay ahead of the Ravens, and it is not going to be easy against (perhaps) the best offense in the league. Fortunately for the Steelers, the Saints have been trying to prime that high powered offense into gear, as they have been flat as of late. The Saints offense believes they found their spark in the second half of last week’s game. We will have to see if that spark has really put this offense back on fire, or is it just a small blaze.
Saints
Saints
Sunday Night: (11-3) Kansas City Chiefs v (8-6) Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are coming off a major upset last week to play the potential AFC Conference Champions. The Seahawks will have their work cut out for them, but thankfully they will have the 12th Man to back them up.
Chiefs
Chiefs
Monday Night Football: (6-8) Denver Broncos v (3-11) Oakland Raiders
Back in Week 1, the Raiders played a good game against the Rams that slipped away from them in the second half. When you look at it now, you realized how well they played the potential super bowl champions. While the Rams have had a “super” season, the Raiders season has been anything but. And now they will host a prime time game against the Broncos, who matchup wise is a mismatch.
Broncos
Broncos
