Every NFL team will be in action as the regular season approaches its end. Of the 16 games scheduled, five matchups feature teams that both have winning records.
The Broncos and Chargers renew their rivalry on Thursday as they duke it out for a playoff spot.
We could see two potential postseason matchups on Saturday when the Ravens play the Steelers after the Chiefs face the Texans.
On Sunday, the Eagles take on the Commanders in a battle for the NFC East. Later, the Seahawks hope to bounce back at home against the Vikings.
Let’s take a look at the Week 16 slate and predict the winners.
📰 Table Of Contents
Thursday Night Football Game
Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers
This game could determine the AFC’s sixth and seventh seeds.
The 9-5 Ravens face the 10-4 Steelers on Saturday. Since both squads have head-to-head wins over the Broncos and Chargers, the team that fails to win the AFC North will likely be the fifth seed. That means Denver and LA will probably be the sixth and seventh seeds.
The difference between the AFC’s sixth and seventh spots is huge. Currently, the seventh-seeded team will have to play the red-hot Bills in Buffalo while the sixth seed would take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Denver and LA will likely try to avoid Buffalo, and a win here will help that fantasy become a reality.
Denver will manage to beat the Chargers and injured quarterback Justin Herbert.
Broncos win 17-16
Saturday Games
Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs
Since both teams have secured a playoff spot, this could be a postseason matchup we see at some point.
The status of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is still unclear after the three-time Super Bowl MVP suffered a high ankle sprain against the Browns. Assuming Mahomes plays because he practiced this week, then the Chiefs should edge out the Texans.
However, Houston will be victorious if Carson Wentz gets the start for KC.
Chiefs win 22-20
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens need this win if they want to be AFC North Champions. They’re one and a half games back from first place in the division after falling to the Steelers on November 17th.
Pittsburgh could be missing six-time Pro Bowler T.J. Watt, who is dealing with an ankle injury. If he’s unavailable, then the Steelers will have a much harder time containing Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson. Even if he does play, Watt’s injury will likely limit his pass-rushing and quarterback containment abilities.
Though the Steelers will contain Jackson, he’ll do enough to get the victory, putting the Ravens in a tie for first in the AFC North.
Ravens win 21-17
Sunday Early Games
New York Giants @ Atlanta Falcons
After snapping a four-game skid, Atlanta named rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the team’s new starting quarterback. His first test will be against the hapless Giants, who haven’t won a game since October 6th.
More importantly, a Falcons victory allows them to keep pace with the Buccaneers for first place in the NFC South. Meanwhile, the Giants must keep losing if they want a shot at locking up the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Falcons will end up winning a one-possession game in Penix’s first career start in the NFL.
Falcons win 18-15
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears
The Lions’ 11-game winning streak came to an abrupt end after Detroit suffered just its second loss of the season at the hands of the Bills.
While they have a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Vikings, the Lions are still competing with Minnesota and Philly for the best record in the NFC.
Despite an insane amount of injuries on defense, the Lions’ offense will be too much for the Bears to handle.
Detroit will get back on track with a convincing victory over Chicago.
Lions win 34-20
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals can still theoretically reach the playoffs if they win their remaining games. That starts with a home matchup against the struggling Browns.
After Cleveland quarterback Jameis Winston was benched in Week 15, it’s unclear who will be the Browns’ starter.
On the other side, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow would be an MVP candidate if his team had a winning record. The former LSU quarterback leads the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Though Cincy’s defense is 31st in scoring, that unit will get the job done against Cleveland’s 30th-ranked offense as the Bengals keep their playoff hopes alive.
Bengals win 31-17
Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts
A head-to-head loss to the Broncos was a massive blow to the Colts’ playoff chances. Though they can still technically make the postseason, they only have a 10% chance to do so.
The Colts’ season will basically end if they cannot defeat the Titans, who have nothing to play for.
Even though Tennessee replaced quarterback Will Levis as the team’s starter, they’ll still find a way to lose. Don’t trust backup QB Mason Rudolph.
Colts win 19-17
Los Angeles Rams @ New York Jets
The Jets beat the lowly Jaguars for their first win since Halloween. Unfortunately, it was a wasted effort because Gang Green was eliminated from playoff contention one week earlier.
At the same time, the Rams come into this one riding a three-game win streak that has them positioned as the first-place team in the NFC West. With the Seahawks on their tail, LA needs to continue winning if they want to win the NFC West Championship.
Like most Jets matchups, this one will probably come down to the game’s last drive. In that case, anticipate Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford to lead his team on a game-winning drive to clinch LA’s fourth consecutive victory.
Rams win 27-25
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers
Though third in the NFC West, a win over LA gives the Cards a 13% chance to reach the playoffs. However, they’ll likely need to win out and that starts with a game in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Panthers have just three wins since the start of last season.
With the Panthers trying to secure a better draft pick and the Cardinals trying to keep up with the Seahawks and Rams, expect Arizona to take care of Carolina.
Cardinals win 28-19
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Commanders
In arguably the most important early game, the Eagles can clinch the NFC East with a victory or a tie against the Commanders. On the other hand, Washington can clinch a playoff berth with a win over Philly and a Falcons loss/tie plus either a Seahawks loss/tie OR a Rams loss/tie.
Regardless, both teams have a lot on the line.
The last time these two faced off, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley recorded 198 scrimmage yards and two rushing touchdowns. Against Washington’s 25th-ranked rushing defense, Barkley will have another big game, clinching the East for Philly.
Eagles win 24-21
Sunday Late Games
Minnesota Vikings @ Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks want to take back first place in the NFC West after a disappointing loss to the Packers. Simultaneously, the Vikings can move closer to locking up the number one seed in the NFC with a win over Seattle.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith left the Week 15 matchup against the Packers with a knee injury and was unable to return to the game. However, he is expected to play this Sunday.
Even if Smith plays, the Vikings’ fourth-ranked passing attack will overwhelm Seattle’s 15th-ranked scoring defense.
Vikings win 28-26
New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills
This should be a cakewalk for the Bills, who are averaging 46 points over their last two games.
With the NFL’s second-worst scoring offense, the Pats will not be able to go toe-to-toe with the Bills, who move to 12-3 on the season.
Bills win 38-13
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Las Vegas Raiders
This game will have important 2025 NFL Draft implications.
Assuming the Giants lose, a loss by the Raiders will have them tied for the worst record in the NFL, meaning both teams could land the number one overall pick. If the Raiders win, they could potentially fall out of the top five and miss out on a top quarterback prospect.
In the battle of a movable force vs. a stoppable object, the slightly healthier Jaguars prevail over the Raiders, basically securing a top-three draft choice for Vegas.
Jaguars win 19-15
San Francisco 49ers @ Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are still vying for a postseason spot (even if they’ll need some outside help). Meanwhile, the 49ers will be eliminated from the playoffs if they lose this game.
The 2024-25 Niners have struggled against good teams and beaten bad teams. Even if they’re competing for a spot in the playoffs, the Dolphins are still a bad team, so they’ll likely lose and be eliminated from the 2024-25 postseason picture.
49ers win 24-20
Sunday Night Football Game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Dallas Cowboys
The Bucs have re-emerged as the leader in the NFC South after four straight wins. Amazingly, the Cowboys are also still in the playoff hunt but can be eliminated with a loss or a win/tie by the Commanders.
Even if Dallas does have playoff aspirations, quarterback Cooper Rush doesn’t have enough firepower to take down a Buccaneers team averaging 31 points/game over its last four matchups.
Expect Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans to have a field day against the NFL’s 22nd-ranked receiving defense as Tampa eliminates Dallas from postseason contention.
Buccaneers win 33-20
Monday Night Football Game
New Orleans Saints @ Green Bay Packers
With a win, the Packers will clinch a playoff berth, so Green Bay has plenty of motivation. However, the Saints need a victory to keep their season alive, so they’ll be extra motivated as well.
If we’re being honest though, the Packers are a much better and more complete team than the Saints, who are now starting a third-string quarterback. It also helps that Packers QB Jordan Love has eight touchdown passes and just one interception in his last five games.
Green Bay breezes by New Orleans and earns a playoff spot.
Packers win 31-18
