The NFL schedule for the Christmas holiday weekend is indeed a gift to all football fans.
The Thursday night tilt in Los Angeles got it started and the Rams topped the New Orleans Saints, 30-22 to improve their record to 8-7 while New Orleans slipped to 7-8 with just two games left.
The Saturday games (two of them) feature teams vying for playoff spots in the AFC as the Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) while the Buffalo Bills (8-6) take on the Los Angeles Chargers (5-9) in Tinsel Town. As for the ten Sunday games, the biggest matchup has the Dallas Cowboys traveling to Miami to face the Dolphins. Both teams have 10-4 records and lead their respective divisions with three games left to play in the regular season.
The absolute biggest game of Week 16 will be the Monday Night Football game in San Francisco where the teams with the best records in the NFL will square off when the NFC leading 49ers (11-3) host the Baltimore Ravens, who are also 11-3 and looking to remain atop the AFC playoff race.
With just three games remaining on the regular season schedule, the many teams still (mathematically) alive for the playoffs will be facing "crunch time" as a loss will ring loud and clear to possibly ending their dreams of a post season run.
The Dallas Cowboys got walloped in Buffalo last Sunday and now face the Miami Dolphins, who haven't beaten a team with a winning record this season. This game should be a close one and probably will be a high scoring affair. Both of these teams can light up the scoreboard and which ever team has the football last could wind up winning.
On Monday night, the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers game might be a Super Bowl preview (as many have been saying) but that never seems to happen once the playoffs get going. Just enjoy this one folks because it should be an exciting one. The 49ers rate the edge at home and their defense can rival the Ravens defense.
The 'Niners have a more diverse offensive attack with Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel presenting all kind of problems for opponents. Another test looming for 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who has been superb this season. The Ravens X factor is quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has been on a roll this year and he has better weapons to throw to this season. And you know he wants to prove he's the better QB than Purdy. This could actually be the game of the year.
Merry Christmas!
The rest of the action for Week 16 is featured in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo picks for the games follows.
Cincinnati (8-6) at Pittsburgh (7-7) - The Bengals have found renewed hope with backup QB Jake Browning. The Steelers have been reeling in the past month, but their last win was against the Bengals.
Buffalo (8-6) at L.A. Chargers (5-9) - The Chargers have turned into a complete mess in a hurry. Take the surging Bills in this one.
Indianapolis (8-6) at Atlanta (6-8) - The host Falcons are desperate for a victory. The Colts just keep humming along and seem to be a playoff contender.
Seattle (7-7) at Tennessee (5-9) - The Seahawks got a huge win on Monday night to stay in the NFC playoff chase. The Titans play teams tough, but they come up short more often than not this season.
Detroit (10-4) at Minnesota (7-7) - The Lions can clinch the NFC North title with a win on the road, but the Vikings need this game to stay in contention for an NFC wild card spot. Toss up.
Washington (4-10) at N.Y Jets (5-9) - Two losing teams playing each other in late December. Yawn.
Green Bay (6-8) at Carolina (2-12) - Packers should get back on track this weekend in this game. Panthers finally won a game last week, so watch out.
Cleveland (9-5) at Houston (8-6) - Can Texans backup QB Case Keenum conjure up another win? The Browns defense will have something to say about that.
Jacksonville (8-6) at Tampa Bay (7-7) - Two Florida teams go at it and they are headed in opposite directions the past month or so. Jags on the skids and the Buccaneers are rolling.
Arizona (3-11) at Chicago (5-9) - The Bears have been their own worst enemy in the fourth quarter this season. Can they get it right against a weak Cardinals team?
New England (3-11) at Denver (7-7) - It's now or never for the Broncos as they cannot afford to lose any more games if they want to make the playoffs.
Las Vegas (6-8) at Kansas City (9-5) - Chiefs should make it two wins in a row in this one, but they haven't been looking so hot over the last month.
N.Y. Giants (5-9) at Philadelphia (10-4) - This should be the week the Eagles stop the losing streak and soar again.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Sixteen . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
L.A. Rams over New Orleans
Pittsburgh over Cincinnati
BUFFALO over L.A. Chargers
Indianapolis over Atlanta
Seattle over Tennessee
Minnesota over Detroit
N.Y. Jets over Washington
Green Bay over Carolina
Cleveland over Houston
Tampa Bay over Jacksonville
Chicago over Arizona
Dallas over Miami
Denver over New England
Kansas City over Las Vegas
Philadelphia over N.Y. Giants
San Francisco over Baltimore
Last Week's Record - 13-3
SEASON RECORD - 144-80
Lock of the Week Record - 12-3
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