NFL 2016: Week 16 NFL Preview
NFL 2016: Week 16 NFL Preview

Time is running out as NFL teams prepare for final stretch. With two weeks to go in the NFL regular season, it's time for teams to make their final playoff push. Here's this week's preview

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Time is running out. With two weeks to go in the NFL regular season, it's time for teams to make their final playoff push.

Through the first 15 weeks, four postseason berths have been clinched. New England (AFC East, first-round bye) and Seattle (NFC West) have each won its division. Dallas and Oakland have both secured a playoff spot. And with two weeks left in the regular season, there are still 22 teams in contention for a trip to Super Bowl LI.

There are eight playoff spots up for grabs, including six division titles.

In the AFC, New England (12-2) can secure home-field advantage. Oakland (11-3) can clinch the AFC West and a first-round bye. Pittsburgh (9-5) can claim the AFC North division title. Houston (8-6) can win the AFC South. And Kansas City (10-4) and Miami (9-5) can each lock up a playoff berth.

 

AFC Playoff Picture

 

In the NFC, Dallas (12-2) can clinch the NFC East, a first-round bye and home-field advantage. Seattle (9-4-1) can earn a first-round bye. Atlanta (9-5) can claim the NFC South or a playoff berth. Detroit (9-5) can lock up the NFC North or a playoff berth. The New York Giants (10-4), Green Bay (8-6) and Tampa Bay (8-6) can each clinch a playoff berth.

 

NFC Playoff Picture

 

Week 16 kicks off on Thursday night when the Giants visit Philadelphia (8:25 PM ET, NBC/NFLN/Twitter) in an NFC East showdown.

New York can clinch a playoff berth with a victory and still have a shot at winning the NFC East and earning home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

The action continues on Saturday as the majority of Week 16 games (12 games) will be played on Saturday, December 24 due to the Christmas holiday. There will be seven games played in the early afternoon window (1:00 PM ET) and four games in the late afternoon slot (4:05 and 4:25 PM ET). The day concludes with a Christmas Eve game in primetime as Houston hosts Cincinnati (8:25 PM ET, NFLN). The Texans can lock up the AFC South with a win and a Tennessee loss.

There will be two games on Christmas starting with Pittsburgh hosting Baltimore in a key AFC North battle (4:30 PM ET, NFLN). The Steelers can clinch the division with a victory. However, the Ravens can win the division with two wins in their final two games. The second Christmas game features an important AFC West matchup between Denver and Kansas City in primetime (8:30 PM ET, NBC). The Chiefs will earn a playoff berth with a victory or a Baltimore loss.

The week concludes on Monday night (8:30 PM ET, ESPN) with Dallas hosting Detroit. The Cowboys, who have already secured a playoff berth, are closing in on clinching the NFC East, a first-round bye and home-field advantage. The Lions can lock up the NFC North with a win and a Green Bay loss.

Some of the key Week 16 games:

New York Giants (10-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-9)

(Thursday, NBC/NFLN/Twitter, 8:25 PM ET)

Week 16 kicks off on Thursday night as the Philadelphia Eagles host the New York Giants (NBC, NFL Network, Twitter; 8:25 PM) in an NFC East showdown.

The Giants defeated the Eagles 28-23 in Week 9 as QB ELI MANNING passed for four touchdowns, including two to WR ODELL BECKHAM JR. Beckham, who has 85 receptions for 1,173 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, joined JOHN JEFFERSON (1978-1980) and RANDY MOSS (1998-2000) as the only players in NFL history with at least 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches in each of his first three NFL seasons.

Eagles QB CARSON WENTZ, the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, leads all rookies with 339 completions and ranks second with 3,385 pass yards and 13 touchdown passes, while LB JORDAN HICKS is one of two NFL linebackers (THOMAS DAVIS) with at least three interceptions (three) and a sack this season.

The Giants -- 10 wins for the first time since 2010 -- have won eight of their past nine games and can clinch a playoff berth with a win. New York can also advance to the postseason with a loss by either Detroit, Atlanta, Green Bay or Tampa Bay. ​

 

 

Miami Dolphins (9-5) at Buffalo Bills (7-7)

(Saturday, CBS, 1:00 PM ET)

The Dolphins are looking for their fourth consecutive win against an AFC East opponent this week, when they travel to face the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. Last week, the Dolphins posted an impressive 34-13 road win over the Jets, while the Bills defeated the hapless Browns 33-13 in convincing fashion. Earlier this season, the Dolphins narrowly defeated the Bills 28-25 back in week seven.

The Dolphins can clinch a playoff berth with a win and a Denver loss. Miami controls their postseason destiny. The Bills are still alive for a playoff berth.

 

 

Atlanta Falcons (9-5) at Carolina Panthers (6-8)

(Saturday, FOX, 1:00 PM ET)

The Falcons travel to Charlotte to face the Carolina Panthers on Christmas Eve. Atlanta will be searching for their first road victory against the Panthers since 2014.

The Panthers are coming off 26-15 Monday night victory against Washington. QB Cam Newton threw for 300 yards and had two touchdown passes, while RB Johnathan Stewart rushed for 132 yards.

In week 15, the Falcons broke a franchise record for most points scored in a season and scored 40+ points for the second consecutive week, as they blew out the San Francisco 49ers 41-13.

The Falcons recorded their sixth best yardage total in franchise history -- 550 yards -- second best yardage total of the season. The team also recorded 248 rushing yards against the 49ers, which was a season high and the highest rushing total Atlanta has recorded since week 17 of 2011 (251 yards).

Falcons QB Matt Ryan continued his MVP-caliber season by going 17-of-23 for 286 yards with two touchdowns and a 144.5 passer rating. His two TD passes tied his career and franchise record for most touchdown passes in a single season (32). Ryan's 144.5 passer rating is now the fourth-highest passer rating in his career.

The Falcons can win the NFC South division title with a victory and a Tampa Bay loss. If both the Falcons and Buccaneers win, Atlanta can still secure a playoff berth with a Detroit loss or a Green Bay loss. The Falcons are in control for the division title.

The defending NFC Chmapion Panthers still have an outside shot at making the playoffs.

 

 

Minnesota Vikings (7-7) at Green Bay Packers (8-6)

(Saturday, FOX, 1:00 PM ET)

The Minnesota Vikings (7-7) head to Lambeau Field take on the Green Bay Packers (8-6). The matchup marks the 113th game between the two franchises with the Packers holding the edge 59-51-2 all-time. Minnesota is coming off a 34-6 home loss against the Indianapolis Colts. Green Bay is coming off a 30-27 NFC North division win at Chicago. The Vikings defeated the Packers at home earlier this season (Week 2), 17-14.

The Packers control their playoff destiny and can claim the NFC North division title with wins in each of their final two games. Green Bay can secure a playoff spot this week with a win and losses by Washington and Tampa Bay combined with an Atlanta win.

The Vikings are currently still alive for a postseason berth, but have lost 7 of their last 9 games after an impressive 5-0 record to start the 2016 season.

 

 

Washington Redskins (7-6-1) at Chicago Bears (3-11)

(Saturday, FOX, 1:00 PM ET)

The Redskins are currently still alive for a postseason berth.

 

 

Tennessee Titans (8-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12)

(Saturday, CBS, 1:00 PM ET)

The Titans are in control for the AFC South division and can claim the title with wins in each of their final two games.

 

 

New York Jets (4-10) At New England Patriots (12-2)

(Saturday, CBS, 1:00 PM ET)

The Patriots, who have already won the AFC East and have a first-round bye, can clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a win and an Oakland loss. New England is in control for home-field advantage in the AFC.

 

 

Indianapolis Colts (7-7) at Oakland Raiders (11-3)

(Saturday, CBS, 4:05 PM ET)

The Raiders, who have already earned a playoff berth, can clinch the AFC West and a first-round bye with a win and a Kansas City loss. Oakland is in control for the division title and a first-round bye.

The Colts are currently still alive for a postseason spot.

 

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) at New Orleans Saints (6-8)

(Saturday, FOX, 4:25 PM ET)

The Buccaneers can clinch a playoff berth with a win and losses by Green Bay, Washington and Detroit.

The Saints are currently still alive for a postseason spot.

 

 

Arizona Cardinals (5-8-1) at Seattle Seahawks (9-4-1)

(Saturday, FOX, 4:25 PM ET)

The Seahawks, who have already clinched the NFC West, can secure a first-round bye with a win and losses by both Detroit and Atlanta. Seattle is in control for a first-round bye.

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals (5-8-1) at Houston Texans (8-6)

(Saturday, NFLN, 8:25 PM ET)

The Texans, who are in control for the AFC South, can clinch the division this week with a win and a Tennessee loss.

 

 

Baltimore Ravens (8-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5)

(Sunday, NFLN, 4:30 PM ET)

The Steelers can clinch the AFC North with a win.

The Ravens can claim the division title with wins in each of the team's final two games.

 

 

Denver Broncos (8-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (10-4)

(Sunday, NBC, 8:30 PM ET)

The Chiefs can secure a postseason berth with a win or a Baltimore loss.

The Broncos are currently still alive for a playoff spot.

 

 

Detroit Lions (9-5) At Dallas Cowboys (12-2)

(Monday, ESPN, 8:30 PM ET)

The Cowboys can clinch the NFC East, a first-round bye and home-field advantage with a win or a New York Giants loss.

The Lions, who are in control for the NFC North, can secure the division with a win and a Green Bay loss. Detroit can also lock up a playoff berth with a win and a Tampa Bay loss. The Lions can also advance to the postseason with losses by Washington and Tampa Bay combined with an Atlanta win.

 

 

 

 

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