Fubo News previews the five best games on the Week 16 NFL slate. Watch the NFL on Fubo live and for free this weekend.
It’s Christmas week, and the NFL’s Week 16 slate is certainly quite the gift to football fans everywhere. There are seven games this week that are between teams with records of over .500 or better, all holding significant playoff implications.
On top of that, with it being the holiday week, the games are spread out over four days. That includes a double-header on Saturday and a triple-header on Monday. So, there are plenty of chances to focus solely on some of those bigger games.
Which games deserve the most focus? Let’s take a look…
Honorable mentions: New Orleans Saints (7-7) at Los Angeles Rams (7-7), Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
Watch the NFL live on Fubo: Start your free trial today!
5. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC
The Bengals’ run towards a playoff spot has continued without Joe Burrow. Last week Cincinnati won in dramatic overtime fashion against the Vikings, setting up a major divisional game against the Steelers this week.
A big part of the Bengals’ continued success has been the play of backup quarterback Jake Browning. Browning will face his toughest test of the season this week against a strong Steelers defense.
On the other side, the Steelers are making a quarterback change for this game. In the two games, Mitch Trubisky stepped in for Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh failed to score more than 18 points or put up more than 264 yards of total offense. Hoping to get a spark, Mike Tomlin is turning the offense over to Mason Rudolph for this week.
Given the Steelers’ offensive struggles go back to when Pickett was under center, it’s hard to see how this quarterback change will make a major difference. In what will likely be a low-scoring game, look for the Bengals’ run under Browning to continue.
4. Detroit Lions (10-4) at Minnesota Vikings (7-7)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX
Last week the Lions got the bounce-back game they desperately needed, blowing out the Denver Broncos 42-17. Now the Lions can prove that wasn’t a one-off, and clinch the NFC North with a win.
This will be the second start for Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens, who replaced Josh Dobbs last week. Mullens threw for 302 yards last week with two touchdowns and two picks.
The difference-maker in this game for the Vikings could be wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Jefferson played his first full game in over two months last week, catching seven passes for 84 yards.
Watch the NFL live on Fubo: Start your free trial today!
3. Cleveland Browns (9-5) at Houston Texans (8-6)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
That’s right, another team (or maybe two) with a backup quarterback making a push for a playoff spot. The Texans come into the week sitting just outside the playoff picture, but only due to tiebreakers – record-wise they are tied for both the division lead and a wild card spot. The Browns are currently the top wild card team as the only 9-5 non-division leader in the AFC, but are just one game up on four 8-6 Wild Card teams.
Cleveland is on its fourth quarterback of the year – 38-year-old Joe Flacco. With Flacco leading the way and the defense playing at a high level, the Browns have won two games in a row.
Houston’s quarterback situation is up in the air. Rookie of the Year favorite C.J. Stroud remains in concussion protocol to start the week. If he can’t go Case Keenum will get the start, after beating the Titans in overtime last week.
If Stroud goes, the Texans are in good shape. If not the Browns will have a real chance, and could even put themselves in a position to make a run at the division with the Baltimore Ravens facing a tough test at the San Francisco 49ers this week (we’ll get to that game soon).
2. Dallas Cowboys (10-4) at Miami Dolphins (10-4)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX
It’s been quite the two-game stretch for the Cowboys. Two weeks ago they blew out the then-hottest team in the NFL, beating the Philadelphia Eagles 33-13 to take control of the NFC North. That game was followed by a 31-10 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills last week. That begs the question, which team is the real Dallas Cowboys?
This week is a great chance to answer that question as the Cowboys – who still control the NFC North’s top spot – go on the road to face another AFC East opponent in the Dolphins. The Dolphins just had a statement win of their own, blanking the Jets 30-0 last week without Tyreek Hill.
With the Bills suddenly getting hot, the Dolphins need to close strong to lock up the AFC East. A win plus a Bills loss at the Chargers this week would clinch the division.
There should be no shortage of points put up in this one. The Dolphins are built better to win a shootout, so look for them to have the edge at home.
Watch the NFL live on Fubo: Start your free trial today!
1. Baltimore Ravens (11-3) at San Francisco 49ers (11-3)
Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC
Week 16 wraps up with the game of the week, and a potential Super Bowl preview. Coming into the week, these teams are the top seeds in the AFC and NFC. The Ravens come in having won four games in a row while the 49ers are riding a six-game winning streak. Both sides rank top four in the league in both offense and defense.
This game could also have MVP implications. Heading into the week most books have Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy as the MVP favorites. San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey is in the conversation as well.
So, who has the edge? That likely goes to San Francisco, given Baltimore’s injury issues. The Niners are getting healthy at the right time as they get key offensive players back in the lineup.
Regional restrictions may apply.
