The NFL playoff picture is coming into focus, and we only have three more weeks to go. Let’s take a look at all of the action in Week 16.
The New Orleans Saints host the New York Jets at the Caesars Superdome in the Saints’ 2025 home finale. Former Saints player and coach Aaron Glenn brings his grounded Jets to New Orleans to face a Saints team that is flying high following a modest but important two-game winning streak. Christmas has seemed to come early for the Saints this year, thanks to the emergence of Tyler Shough as their potential long-term answer at quarterback. The Saints’ tree seemed as if it would be quite bare again this year, but Saint Nick has left some early gifts in New Orleans this December, and we are all thankful for that. Let’s take a look at this matchup as well as the rest of the Week 16 NFL schedule.
Last week I went 10-6
I told you so: Falcons over Bucs!
What do I know: Chiefs over Chargers?
WEEK 16
Thursday, December 18th – Thursday Night Football
Rams(11-3) at Seahawks(11-3) – Game of the Week
This is the De-facto NFC West Championship Game. This critical game will ultimately come down to the quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford will rise to the occasion, while Sam Darnold will give away a critical turnover that effectively ends this massive showdown. Los Angeles wins 23-22.
Pick: Rams
***
Saturday, December 20th – Saturday NFL Special
Eagles(9-5) at Commanders(4-10)
Philly pulled out of a nosedive last week by having their best performance of the season against the lowly Raiders. Now Philly gets another lowly franchise to beat on in Washington. Philadelphia wins 31-13.
Pick: Eagles
***
Saturday, December 20th – Saturday NFL Special
Packers(9-4-1) at Bears(10-4)
This is the De-facto NFC North Championship Game. This game will be a tightrope act all the way through, but a season-defining drive in the final minutes will seal the game for the home team. Chicago wins 26-23.
Pick: Bears
***
Sunday, December 21st – Early Games
Buccaneers(7-7) at Panthers(7-7)
This just might be the De-facto NFC South Championship Game, well, until Week 18 at Tampa. This first of two meetings between these rivals will be crucial in helping determine which of these two franchises actually wants to win the division this year. The Panthers have traded wins and losses every week since Week 7. Lucky for Carolina, this is a “win” week. Carolina wins 27-21.
Pick: Panthers
***
Bills(10-4) at Browns(3-11)
Buffalo is coming into this one fresh off their biggest win of the season. After that high, they will come out a bit flat in Cleveland, but Buffalo still hangs on to win over an overmatched opponent. Buffalo wins 24-21.
Pick: Bills
***
Chargers(10-4) at Cowboys(6-7-1)
The Bolts have been on a heater as of late, while Dallas has gone cold, due to some bad defensive efforts in recent weeks. LA stays hot while Dallas watches their Wild Card hopes fade away. Los Angeles wins 20-17.
Pick:Chargers
***
Vikings(6-8) at Giants(2-12)
Minnesota has played their best football of the season over the past two weeks and that continues here against the lowly Giants. Minnesota wins 26-20.
Pick: Vikings
***
Chiefs(6-8) at Titans(2-12)
Last Sunday, Kansas City lost their future Hall of Fame quarterback for the season, as well as their 10-year playoff appearance streak. This week, the Chiefs lose their willingness to continue with this wildly disappointing season. Tennessee pulls of the upset that really shouldn’t be considered an upset. Tennessee wins 28-16.
Pick: Titans
***
Bengals(4-10) at Dolphins(6-8)
As the Tua Tagoviloa era seemingly comes to a close in Miami, the quarterback picked four spots above him, Joe Burrow, will lead Cincy to victory. Cincinnati wins 20-17.
Pick: Bengals
***
Jets(3-11) at Saints(4-10)
Earlier this season, this matchup looked like it would be a “loser picks first in the draft” game, but something critical happened… Tyler Shough. Shough has energized the franchise and the fanbase, and now the Saints look like they have the momentum to win their third-consecutive game in the final game in the Superdome in 2025, and they will. This will be the Saints best performance of the season. Saints win 26-16.
Pick: Saints
***
Sunday, December 21st – Late Games
Falcons(5-9) at Cardinals(3-11)
This is the football equivalent of getting coal for Christmas. Both teams are bad, Arizona is slightly worse. Atlanta wins 25-22.
Pick: Falcons
***
Jaguars(10-4) at Broncos(12-2)
Jacksonville has been on a roll over the last five weeks, but that roll pales in comparison to Denver’s absolutely dominant 11-game winning streak. The AFC’s most dominant team will do what they always do… win. Denver wins 21-14.
Pick: Broncos
***
Steelers(8-6) at Lions(8-6)
Just like Carolina, the Lions have traded wins and losses every week since Week 5. Lucky for Detroit, this is a “win” week. Detroit wins 21-14.
Pick: Lions
***
Raiders(2-12) at Texans(9-5)
Houston is playing for the AFC South crown, while Vegas is playing for the #1 pick in the 2026 Draft. It’s easy to see where this one goes. Houston wins 26-16.
Pick: Texans
***
Sunday Night Football
Patriots(11-3) at Ravens(7-7)
In an effort to stay alive in the AFC North title race, Baltimore must run through a difficult gauntlet in the final three games of the season, while the Pats are hoping to hold off Buffalo in the AFC East race themselves. This one will be a battle, but the Pats find a way to win in the end. New England wins 27-24.
Pick: Patriots
***
Monday, December 22nd – Monday Night Football
49ers(10-4) at Colts(8-6)
San Francisco is easily the most underrated contender in the NFL this season. Understandably, all of the attention in the NFC West has gone to LA and Seattle, but the Niners are right on their heels, and have beaten both of those teams in their own houses this season. Now the Niners will hand Indy their fifth-consecutive loss. San Francisco wins 28-21.
Pick: 49ers
***
The Saints can give us all a wonderful early Christmas present with a third-straight win. Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below!
Category: General Sports
