NFL 2024 (Week 16)

There's been a lot of talk over the past few days over the NFL's decision to schedule two Saturday games opposite the first round of the expanded College Football Playoff.  When they made the deal with Netflix to broadcast two games on Christmas, which falls on a Wednesday this year, though, they weren't really left with another choice.  The four teams playing on Wednesday have to play on Saturday in order to get proper rest before the unusual midweek game.  Next year, Christmas is on a Thursday, which is a normal NFL game day, so this is almost certainly a one-year thing.

Thursday Night: Denver (Loss)

Texans (9-5) at Chiefs (13-1): Kansas City-With Broncos-Chargers getting flexed to Thursday night (still not a fan of Thursday night flexing at all), six of the seven AFC playoff teams will end up being featured in the first three games of the week.  When they set the Christmas matchups (this requiring the same four teams to play on Saturday), they picked four teams that made the playoffs last season, so the selections weren't much of a risk.  Still, they got lucky that it worked out the way they hoped and Texans-Chiefs is a matchup of two teams that have already won their divisions.  Another remarkable Kansas City stat that I saw this week: the Chiefs are one of four teams that hasn't scored 30 points this season.  The others are the Giants, Raiders and Browns--who all have double-digit losses.  The Chiefs are 13-1, going on 14-1.

Steelers (10-4) at Ravens (9-5): Baltimore-Pittsburgh has already clinched a playoff berth and can wrap up the division with a win.  The Ravens will clinch their playoff spot and tie the Steelers for the division lead if they win.  So, yeah, this is a big game.  Give me Baltimore, leaving the AFC North up for grabs over the final two weeks.  (Pittsburgh, by the way, has the most brutal stretch of the four teams with three games in 10 days--at Philadelphia, at Baltimore, vs Kansas City.)

Giants (2-12) at Falcons (7-7): Atlanta-Kirk Cousins is no longer the Falcons' starter, as they turn to first-round pick Michael Penix at QB.  After the change was made, I saw a quote the said making the change guarantees Atlanta won't win the division.  Frankly, the Falcons probably weren't winning the division anyway.  Not with Tampa Bay holding a one-game lead and ending with the Panthers and Saints at home.  All the Falcons can do is take care of the Giants and get back over .500.

Lions (12-2) at Bears (4-10): Detroit-Losing last week may not have been the worst thing for Detroit.  Even Dan Campbell thinks so.  Of course, they're tied with the Vikings now, but they play Minnesota (likely for the division title) in the last game.  And, frankly, that loss could've come on Thanksgiving if Matt Eberflus actually knew how to manage the clock rather than actively getting himself fired (which may have been his goal?).

Browns (3-11) at Bengals (6-8): Cincinnati-This game was originally on Thursday night, then it was moved to 4:25 before finally settling on a 1:00 kickoff.  Which, frankly, is the window where it belongs.  The Browns are terrible (yet two of their three wins are over Pittsburgh and Baltimore).  Cincinnati is technically still alive for the playoffs, but will be eliminated with another loss or as soon as the Broncos and Chargers win another game.  They play Denver next week, so that'll take care of that.  They'll still technically be alive until then.

Titans (3-11) at Colts (6-8): Indianapolis-Much like Cincinnati, Indianapolis has faint playoff "chances."  Same situation as the Bengals, though.  They're eliminated with another loss or another Broncos/Chargers win.  Unlike the Bengals, the Colts have a very realistic chance at winning out.  Titans, at Giants, Jaguars.  It's still a long shot.  All they can do is take care of their own business.

Rams (8-6) at Jets (4-10): Rams-The Rams were 1-4 at their bye week.  They're 7-2 since then and now lead the NFC West.  This team is starting to look more and more dangerous, too.  Especially since this is their last road game, and it's against the Jets.  I also find it funny that we're getting this matchup a week after the 30 for 30 about the New York Sack Exchange Jets where they have a whole segment about a Rams-Jets game where Mark Gastineau and Jackie Slater got into a fight.

Eagles (12-2) at Commanders (9-5): Philadelphia-It wasn't too long ago when it seemed like these two would be in a neck-and-neck race for the NFC East title.  Instead, we've got the Eagles on a 10-game winning streak looking to lock up the division with two weeks to go.  Even though that seems inevitable, they're also in the mix for home field advantage, and a loss here could damage their chances for that.  A loss for the Commanders, meanwhile, suddenly drops them into a situation where they've got to fight for their wild card over the final two games.

Cardinals (7-7) at Panthers (3-11): Arizona-Arizona visits the Rams in what amounts to an elimination game next week.  If they win out, though, making the playoffs is a very realistic possibility.  Beating the Panthers is no guarantee, however.  Carolina may be just 3-11, but has been playing much better than its record in recent weeks and has been competitive with good teams, especially at home.  The Cardinals should win, but it'll be close.

Vikings (12-2) at Seahawks (8-6): Seattle-All kinds of playoff implications in this one, so it's odd that it's just a regional game.  This isn't a FOX doubleheader week, but you'd think a game with this much importance would've been flexed.  Last week, the Seahawks got beat pretty badly on Sunday night in those bright green uniforms.  The Vikings, meanwhile, wore that ridiculous all white getup on Monday night.  Maybe that's why they didn't get flexed into primetime.  Can the Seahawks wrap up their home schedule with a win?

Patriots (3-11) at Bills (11-3): Buffalo-Buffalo is the only AFC playoff team not featured in an exclusive national window this week.  The Bills did get moved into the national doubleheader game slot, though.  It's also crazy that they haven't played the Patriots yet.  Two of their last three are against New England, with a matchup against the Jets in between.  They've scored 90 points in their last two games.  They've also given up 84.  Expect a little more defense to be played in this one.

Jaguars (3-11) at Raiders (2-12): Jacksonville-While it's Jaguars-Raiders, there's still plenty of reason to pay attention to this game.  If Las Vegas wins, that all but wraps up the No. 1 pick in the draft for the Giants.  If Jacksonville wins, the Raiders still have a shot to pick first.  That seems to be the most likely scenario.  The Jaguars pick up win No. 4.

49ers (6-8) at Dolphins (6-8): Miami-Both of these teams expected to return to the playoffs this season.  It looks like neither one will.  In fact, the loser will be officially eliminated from postseason contention.  Which team will that be?  Well, even though the Dolphins have been a dysfunctional mess, they've played pretty well at home.  The 49ers, on the other hand, have struggled on the road.  That's why I'm going with Miami.

Buccaneers (8-6) at Cowboys (6-8): Tampa Bay-Tampa Bay went into SoFi Stadium last week and absolutely dominated the Chargers in the second half.  It really was an impressive performance!  And you can bet people took notice.  The Bucs are on a four-game winning streak and they head to Dallas, where the Cowboys have been giving up points left and right all season, on Sunday night.  Make that five straight, as Dallas falls to an ungodly 1-7 at home.

Saints (5-9) at Packers (10-4): Green Bay-Don't think I'm letting the Packers off the hook for those ridiculous white helmets!  Those aren't as bad as Minnesota's, but it's close.  Anyway, Green Bay's record against Detroit, Minnesota and Philadelphia this season is 0-4.  Against teams not named the Lions, Vikings or Eagles, the Packers are 10-0.  Which will only get them the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs.  Incredible.

This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 12-4
Overall: 145-80