104th season, Week 16 preview

[racepug]

PIT vs. CIN – Simply put: both teams need a win here. A loss puts a serious crimp in playoff hopes, especially if the 'Stillers' lose.

the LAC vs. BUF – the Bills looked really good in dominating the N.F.C. entry based in TX last Sunday while the Chargers were humiliated by division rivals the LVR 3 days earlier, so much so that it proved to be the last straw for owner Dean Spanos and he fired both his H.C. and his G.M. following the débâcle. Will the Bills continue their playoff push on Saturday night or will the Chargers, in last place in their division, come through for their new H.C.?

ATL vs. Indy - the Falcons suffered the ignominy of losing last week to a team that came into the game with a single win this season to its credit (division rivals CAR) while the Colts (somewhat surprisingly?) find that they are still in the hunt for their division title. In the head-to-head between, arguably, the worst two divisions in the league this year the A.F.C. South leads the N.F.C. South 8 - 5 up to this point so we'll see what happens between these two teams on Sunday.

CAR vs. G.B. - the Panthers got their 2nd win of the season last Sunday while the Packers lost their 2nd in a row (after winning three straight and 4 of 5). If the Packers lose they'll likely be on the brink of elimination from the playoff picture (if not out of the race entirely).

HOU vs. CLE - both H.C.s are in the conversation for "Coach of the Year" and while each has done a good job both teams have been a bit inconsistent this year. Both teams are coming in off of a win in this case so this should be a good one down in TX.

MIN vs. DET - first meeting of the year between these division rivals. The Lions need just one more win (or one MIN loss) out of their remaining three games to clinch their first division title in a full 3 decades while the Vikings have bounced back nicely from their 1 - 4 start to the season (though they've now lost 3 of their last 4). Should be an interesting battle in Minneapolis this Sunday.

the NYJ vs. WAS - two disappointing teams going at it in MetLife Stadium. The Jets at least have the excuse of having their blockbuster QB acquisition go down on the very first offensive series of the season for them. The Commanders, after a 2 - 0 start, have managed to win only 2 more games the rest of the season up to this point. Both teams have been eliminated from the playoff chase so this one'll come down to "pride" and "jobs."

TEN vs. SEA - the Seahawks ended a 4-game losing streak on Monday night while TEN lost at home which eliminated them from playoff contention. On paper a "winnable" game for SEA but it's not wise to take anything for granted with these Seahawks.

T.B. vs. JAX - the Buccaneers won last week to stay atop their division while the Jaguars lost their 3rd straight game to fall into a 3-way tie for first place in their division. With a win the Bucs will even their season record against the A.F.C. South at 2 - 2 while the Jaguars, with a win, will go to 3 - 0 against the N.F.C. South this season.

CHI vs. ARZ - Too bad the N.F.L. didn't switch things around a little bit (in terms of which teams were to play which) 4 years ago so that this match-up could've been the season opener for the league's 100th season. Be that as it may, in the present the Cardinals have already been eliminated from playoff contention while 'Da Bears' are hanging onto their playoff hopes by a mere thread. My understanding is that 'Da Bears' are wearing replica uniforms from the 1936 season this Sunday. It's a shame that the Cardinals couldn't/wouldn't wear replicas of uniforms from a similar era in what otherwise doesn't figure to be a particularly noteworthy game.

MIA vs. DAL - Both teams come into this one at 10 - 4 but with major questions about their heart/mental strength, ability to win against good teams or ability to win on the road which should make for an interesting game in south FL on Christmas Eve.

DEN vs. N.E. - the Broncos have, for the most part, come back nicely from their 20 - 70 humiliation vs. MIA earlier this season (though they come into this game on the heels of a convincing loss to DET on the road) while the Patriots are in the midst of their worst season in decades with rumors swirling that longtime H.C. Bill Belichick will NOT be with the team next season. The Broncos are fighting for a playoff berth while the Patriots are mostly playing out the string so we'll see how this one goes in CO on Sunday night.

K.C. vs. the LVR (Xmas Day) - Ever since Patrick Mahomes became the Chiefs' starting QB K.C. has pretty much had its way with the rest of the teams in the A.F.C. West. Despite the Chiefs not quite "looking like themselves" this season I see no reason why that should change on Christmas Day in this match-up between teams with a LONNNG (and somewhat contentious) history.

PHI vs. the NYG (Xmas Day) - the 'Iggles' have lost 3 straight games and are now tied for the lead in their division while Los Gigantes de Nueva York have mostly been a wreck since opening the season with a 0 - 40 loss (at home!) to their division rivals based in TX. Will the 'Iggles' end their losing streak against their rivals from N.Y. or will Los Gigantes extend PHI's losing streak to 4?

SFO vs. BAL (Xmas Day) – Ahhhhhhhh! In theory, at least, the best is saved for last here in Week 16 of the 2023 N.F.L. season (and on Xmas Day, no less)! Each team has already clinched a playoff berth (in SFO's case they've also already clinched their division) and comes into this game at a conference-best 11 - 3. After thumping PIT on the road in Week 1 the 49ers have, in the interim, lost to both Ohio-based teams from the A.F.C. while BAL is unbeaten so far this season against the N.F.C. West (though wins over ARZ and the LAR were both one-score games [and one went to OT]). It's entirely possible that these teams will meet again in the S.B. in February so keep an eye on how they do against one another - it should be a nice "Christmas present" for all N.F.L. fans out there.

[Brian wolf]

ProFootballTalk with Mike Florio has been very speculative and outspoken this year, especially after getting rid of their popular comments and discussion forums with fans, critics and football bragging rights-trolls. Have to give their football writers credit though today, as they pointed out in the entire history of the Cleveland Browns franchise, Amari Cooper is the first and only wide receiver with multiple, consecutive, 1000 yard seasons.
Of course Newsome did multiple seasons as a listed, tight end.

Obviously looking at their receiving history, the Browns were about quality over quantity with many great receivers but I thought Warfield, Collins, Logan, Rucker, Slaughter, Edwards or Gordon at least did the feat twice ...

[sluggermatt15]

Denver looks horrible tonight. They can't even make a first down in the second half. Meanwhile, New England is moving the ball like a playoff team.

On the other side, winning games, New England is screwing itself out of a top 5 pick. They have a very strong strength of victory that could very well come back to hurt them come draft time. They might even fall between picks 5 and 10. If they win tonight, that puts them at the #4 spot. You feel, in the coming weeks, the Jets, Giants, and Titans could easily jump them.

[rhickok1109]

Denver looks horrible tonight. They can't even make a first down in the second half. Meanwhile, New England is moving the ball like a playoff team.

On the other side, winning games, New England is screwing itself out of a top 5 pick. They have a very strong strength of victory that could very well come back to hurt them come draft time. They might even fall between picks 5 and 10. If they win tonight, that puts them at the #4 spot. You feel, in the coming weeks, the Jets, Giants, and Titans could easily jump them.

As some guy once said, "You play to win the game."

[Brian wolf]

Yeah, BB isnt exactly known to tank games, though the team may try to trade up for Williams. Could the Patriots stop the hot Bills and help the Dolphins?

At 30-16, I thought I had a winning bet with the Packers until their defense quit playing football and allowed an improbable comeback to Carolina ... Joe Barry needs to go if Love is gonna continue to develop into a winning QB.

We have had strong debate on this site about Flacco's future chances at HOVG but its nice to see him help lead the Browns to the playoffs, though it isnt official yet. If he took them to the AFC Championship game, would this team still go back to Watson? He still has a strong arm and Cooper and Njoku have benefitted. Stefanski has a chance at COTY and may convince the rehabbing Nick Chubb to come back for next year, though I wouldnt with Watson at QB.

[Brian wolf]

Dont know what Waller was doing at the end of the Philly game. Makes the catch with 18 seconds left, then holds onto the ball rather than quickly giving the ball back to the refs for respotting. He wastes over 10 seconds, where they finally snap the ball with four seconds and one final play. He might have cost the Giants two additional plays?