Saturday
Houston Texans (9-5) at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (13-1), 1 p.m. ET, NBC
After the Texans clinched the AFC South division title for the second consecutive season final week, they’ll breathe just a little simpler in regards to the tough highway forward. It is the identical schedule the Chiefs are on with a Saturday sport earlier than enjoying once more Wednesday within the NFL’s Christmas Day highlight video games. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle) was hobbled and Carson Wentz completed the 21-7 win at Cleveland final week, however he’ll reply the bell for Kansas Metropolis on Saturday. There’s some concern in regards to the well being and efficiency of the offensive line safeguarding Mahomes after he was hit 12 instances final week. The Texans boast the one tandem of defenders with 10-plus sacks – Danielle Hunter with 12 and Will Anderson Jr. at 10.5 – and Houston’s secondary has playmaking chops beginning with CB Derek Stingley Jr. With the AFC West title in hand plus a two-game lead over the Buffalo Payments within the race for the highest seed within the convention, the Chiefs nonetheless are enjoying for one thing: a win couple with a Buffalo tie or loss vs. New England offers Kansas Metropolis a first-round playoff bye and homefield via the convention title sport.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) at Baltimore Ravens (9-5), 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX
The Steelers clinched a playoff berth for the fourth time previously 5 seasons however Saturday’s sport will go a great distance towards figuring out the AFC North champion, which is able to get a house sport within the playoffs. The Ravens are coming off a 35-14 beatdown of the Giants, their league-leading sixth sport with at the least 35 factors. There are some sweaty palms in Baltimore over the latest accuracy problems with PK Justin Tucker, who went 1-for-3 within the 18-16 loss at Pittsburgh final month. Two weeks later in a house loss towards the Eagles (24-19), Tucker missed an additional level and two extra FG makes an attempt. QB Lamar Jackson has executed his half, however nonetheless is looking for solutions towards the Steelers. He had his worst sport of the season – 16 of 33, 207 yards, TD, INT – at Pittsburgh in a yr he had in any other case dominated at each flip. He has 9 video games with two-plus TD passes and nil interceptions, a streak solely Tom Brady (11, 2010) and Aaron Rodgers (thrice) have pushed to 10 video games in a single season. Pittsburgh is 5-2 all-time towards Jackson, who has 5 TDs and eight INTs towards the Steelers, forcing him to take care of edge stress from T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
Sunday
Detroit Lions (12-2) at Chicago Bears (4-10), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
The final undefeated staff on the highway this season, the Lions are 6-0 and pushed to show accidents and final week’s loss will not derail their season. Having the NFL’s highest-scoring offense (32.8 factors per sport) helps their trigger. The Lions have work to do with the Eagles driving a 10-game successful streak and the Vikings additionally tied with Detroit for the NFC’s finest file. Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown is 0-2 since he changed Matt Eberflus in the future after Chicago’s bungled clock administration within the remaining minute of a 23-20 loss at Detroit. Chicago returns residence attempting once more to finish a shedding streak that stands at eight video games. Brown says the Bears are nonetheless combating. Lopsided losses at San Francisco, 38-13, and Minnesota, 30-12, aren’t serving to Brown’s case. Chicago has been outscored 53-0 within the first half of its previous three contests.
Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) at Washington Commanders (9-5), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Floor-and-pound Philly went to the air final week to hush considerations over the working relationship between QB Jalen Hurts and WR A.J. Brown. However the recipe for achievement this season for the Eagles has been an unstoppable floor sport. With a single-season franchise-record 10 consecutive wins, the Eagles streak into Washington behind Hurts and NFL main rusher Saquon Barkley. Barkley leads the NFL with a franchise-record 1,688 dashing yards and 1,964 complete yards. He additionally owns Washington, averaging 136.2 yards per scrimmage towards the franchise courting to his days with the Giants. However Barkley destroyed the Commanders within the first assembly this season, racking up 198 complete yards and two dashing TDs. He has 1,362 complete yards and 10 touchdowns (six dashing, 4 receiving) in 10 profession video games towards Washington. The Commanders are in playoff place with three video games to go. A loss to the Eagles would arrange a crucial matchup with the Falcons (7-7) subsequent week. Washington’s Jayden Daniels is the fourth rookie quarterback in league historical past with at the least 3,000 passing yards and 500 dashing yards.
Arizona Cardinals (7-7) at Carolina Panthers (3-11), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
The Cardinals are flirting with NFC playoff place after halting a three-game shedding streak with a 30-17 victory over the visiting New England Patriots final weekend. However the margin is skinny in an overcrowded wildcard race. The Panthers have misplaced 4 video games in a row coming into the house finale and nearer to the highest of the 2025 draft than the playoffs. There are indicators of life from the Panthers regardless of rising pains. Carolina misplaced tight video games to divisional leaders Kansas Metropolis, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia earlier than dropping a 30-14 resolution to the Dallas Cowboys final Sunday. Operating backs are crucial to the success of each groups. Cardinals RB James Conner has rushed for a team-high 973 dashing yards and had 110 yards to beat New England for his second-highest complete of the season and his fifth 100-yard sport this season. Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard eclipsed the 1,000-yard dashing mark earlier this month, however he was held to the second-lowest complete of the season with 32 yards on the bottom final week.
New York Giants (2-12) at Atlanta Falcons (7-7), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Quarterback adjustments are commonplace for the Giants this season and New York turns to Drew Lock for his third begin in 2024 after Tim Boyle and Tommy DeVito break up the chores in Week 15. There is no break up in Atlanta the place rookie Michael Penix Jr. is ticketed for his debut. The Falcons made the transfer realizing time is brief to search out the passing lane with the playoffs nonetheless inside attain however their offense skidding and erratic behind Kirk Cousins. Penix was a Heisman Trophy finalist and took Washington to the nationwide championship sport final season. The 24-year-old receives excessive marks from teammates for maturity and accuracy. However this week’s practices represented his first prolonged work with high targets, pointing to a plan of pounding Bijan Robinson and Tyson Allgeier towards New York’s injury-riddled protection. The Giants are permitting 4.9 yards per carry and the Ravens gained 170 dashing yards final week.
Cleveland Browns (3-11) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-8), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Joe Burrow is perhaps on the highway to the best 9-8 – maybe worse – season in league historical past and his high goal is true there with him. Ja’Marr Chase, 43 yards shy of the franchise mark for single-season receiving yards, leads the NFL with 102 receptions, 1,413 receiving yards and 15 landing receptions and might grow to be the third participant in NFL historical past with at the least 100 catches, 1,500 yards and 15 TD receptions in his first 15 video games in a season, becoming a member of Professional Soccer Corridor of Famers Randy Moss (2003) and Jerry Rice (1995). Burrow had two TD passes within the Week 7 matchup with the Browns. He leads the NFL with 3,977 move yards and 36 TD passes. Cleveland is popping to Dorian Thompson-Robinson at quarterback. He makes his fourth profession begin with Jameis Winston benched and RB Nick Chubb (knee) positioned on IR this week. WR Jerry Jeudy has been one of the best playmaker on the Browns’ roster for the reason that final sport towards Cincinnati, rating second within the NFL with 786 receiving yards since Week 8.
Tennessee Titans (3-11) at Indianapolis Colts (6-8), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Anthony Richardson survived the QB yoyo earlier within the season however the Titans nonetheless are looking for the precise match behind middle coming into Week 16. Mason Rudolph was named the starter following one other turnover-filled displaying by Will Levis. Levis tossed three interceptions and coughed up a fumble in 2 1/2 quarters, getting the hook after giving up a pick-six that helped sink the Titans to a 3-11 mark. If the Titans do not win this sport and stack a number of extra losses, they need to be in place to search for a brand new face of the franchise at QB ought to first-year coach Brian Callahan determine to start out over. Turnovers harm the Colts final week in a loss at Denver that erased playoff aspirations. Richardson has three consecutive residence begins with out an INT. Richardson has made simply 14 NFL begins on account of accidents that price him most of final yr, is finishing solely 47 p.c of his passes for 1,683 yards with seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2024.
Los Angeles Rams (8-6) at New York Jets (4-10), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Rams rookie DE Kobie Turner and LB Jared Verse are serving to flip the Los Angeles defensive right into a surging energy. Turner had 2.0 sacks final week and Verse leads all rookies with 11 tackles for loss. Resurgent QB Aaron Rodgers and the Jets know all too properly that safety has been a ache level. Rodgers and WR Davante Adams are absolutely reconnected. Adams had 9 catches for 198 yards and two TDs in Week 15 and the Rams have allowed 23 TD passes. Rodgers will get one other matchup with former division rival Matthew Stafford. Stafford was with the Lions and within the NFC North throughout most of Rodgers’ run with the Packers. His targets are big-play threats, too. Cooper Kupp was held and not using a reception final Thursday at San Francisco however Puka Nacua had seven grabs. If he will get 100 receiving yards Sunday, Nacua would be part of Justin Jefferson and Odell Beckham Jr. as the one gamers with 12 video games of 100-plus receiving yards of their first two seasons.
New England Patriots (3-11) at Buffalo Payments (11-3), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Josh Allen seems to be on a one-way path to his first NFL MVP award, lengthy faraway from offseason worries the Payments would take a step again and not using a outlined No. 1 receiver. By beating the Lions 48-42 final week, Buffalo turned the fifth staff to attain 30 factors in eight consecutive video games in a single season and first for the reason that 2013 Denver Broncos. Allen has 36 mixed passing and dashing touchdowns (25 passing, 11 dashing) and might be part of Aaron Rodgers (six seasons) as the one gamers in NFL historical past with 5 profession seasons with at the least 40 mixed passing and dashing touchdowns. All of these accomplishments are window dressing to Buffalo’s seek for the No. 1 seed within the AFC, which requires two wins over the Patriots within the subsequent three weeks and just a little luck given Kansas Metropolis’s 13-1 file. Sunday marks the primary sport for Patriots QB Drake Maye within the AFC East rivalry. A win Sunday could be No. 75 within the common season for Allen, tying Russell Wilson for essentially the most in league historical past for a quarterback via his first seven seasons.
Minnesota Vikings (12-2) at Seattle Seahawks (8-6), 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX
A seven-game successful streak is the tailwind for the Vikings as they contact down in Seattle, however neither staff is locked into playoff positioning. Minnesota clinched a postseason bid however shares the NFC’s finest file with the Eagles and Lions. If the Vikings can survive the Seahawks, Packers and Lions unscathed and end 15-2, they will have the No. 1 seed within the NFC. Vikings WR Justin Jefferson would grow to be the third participant in league historical past to start out his profession with 5 consecutive 1,300-yard seasons with simply 57 yards within the subsequent three weeks. The Seahawks are again in chase mode. Seattle had a four-game successful streak snapped by the Packers in Week 15 and coughed up the NFC West lead final week. The Seahawks fell behind the Rams (8-6) however can arrange a significant Week 18 date with Los Angeles. Geno Smith (knee) is pushing via an damage and main rusher Kenneth Walker III (calf) is anticipated to play after lacking the previous two video games.
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-12), 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson mentioned the franchise is measuring effort and depth within the remaining video games of the 2024 season to find out which gamers are price holding round. Backup-turn-QB1 Mac Jones set season highs had 294 passing yards, 29 dashing yards, 31 completions and two TD passes final week. Leaning on rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr., who had 10-105-2 final week, Jones has discovered a rhythm the offense lacked in earlier weeks. Not a lot has gone in response to plan for both staff and the Raiders are beginning a 3rd totally different quarterback in 4 video games with former Jaguars starter Gardner Minshew out for the season and Desmond Ridder again to the bench with Aidan O’Connell coming back from a knee bruise. The Raiders are down high expertise elsewhere, too, putting DE Maxx Crosby on IR this week. Las Vegas is leaning into its personal first-round receiver, TE Brock Bowers, to place up factors. Bowers is tied for fourth in NFL with 90 catches and ranked No. 8 within the league with 968 receiving yards.
San Francisco 49ers (6-8) at Miami Dolphins (6-8), 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Brock Purdy does not appear to thoughts hitting the highway and has 23 touchdowns and two interceptions in his previous 10 begins away from residence. The 49ers beat Miami in 2022 in Purdy’s first profession begin on a run to the NFC Championship sport however fortunes are down on either side of this matchup. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa seems to be to rebound from a tough outing towards the Texans final week. He leads the NFL in completion share at 75.6 and is second within the NFL with 2,169 passing yards since Week 8. Accidents are a operating theme for each groups. San Francisco probably is to be all the way down to its fourth beginning operating again with rookie Isaac Guerendo out, leaving Patrick Taylor and Isreal Abanikanda to fill the position. Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill is coping with a number of illnesses however is anticipated to play.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) at Dallas Cowboys (6-8), 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Armed with a four-game successful streak and determined to carry a one-game lead within the NFC South over the Atlanta Falcons, the Buccaneers enter playoff mode early. Dallas has three wins previously 4 video games, however the Cowboys are three video games behind Washington. The Commanders (9-5) maintain the ultimate wild-card spot within the NFC coming into Week 16 and the Cowboys are given a 1 p.c likelihood of qualifying for the playoffs by NFL.com playoff predictor. Their final two wins got here towards groups lengthy eradicated from the playoff image, Carolina (3-11) and the New York Giants (2-12). Tampa Bay’s voluminous offense looms as troubling for a Dallas protection that has allowed 380 factors to hold a worrisome minus-82 level differential. The Buccaneers lead the NFL with eight video games of 400-plus complete yards and 4 video games with each 300-plus yards passing and greater than 100 dashing. The Los Angeles Chargers had been the NFL’s finest scoring protection earlier than the Bucs arrived final week and delivered a 40-17 thrashing led by QB Baker Mayfield tossing 4 TDs so as to add to his career-high 32.
–Discipline Degree Media