The Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos clinched playoff spots last week. Could we see more teams earn playoff berths in Week 16?
Six teams won last week after trailing by at least 10 points, tied for the most in a single week in NFL history, per NFL Research.
Week 16 features multiple games with major playoff implications. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Carolina Panthers in a battle for first in the NFC South. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos put their winning streaks on the line in the Mile High City.
The Baltimore Ravens host the New England Patriots in a matchup between two AFC playoff contenders on ‘Sunday Night Football.’ Week 16 ends when 44-year-old Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts travel to the Bay Area to take on the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 22.
USA TODAY Sports provides the early predictions for Week 16:
Odds courtesy of BetMGM.
NFL Week 15 predictions, picks
Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
Date: Thursday, Dec. 18
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle
TV: N/A
Streaming: Prime Video
Spread: Rams (-1)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Rams 24, Seahawks 20
Sam Darnold had four interceptions in a Week 11 loss to the Rams. The Rams have proven to be a bad matchup for the quarterback. The absence of Davante Adams (hamstring) is a tough blow for the Rams.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders
Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
Time: 5 p.m. ET
Location: Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Eagles (-6.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Eagles 28, Commanders 17
The Eagles had a get-right game against the lowly Raiders last week. Philly can clinch the division with a win. They won’t the opportunity versus Washington slip away.
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Packers (-1.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Packers 25, Bears 21
Micah Parsons’ season-ending knee injury is a huge blow for Green Bay’s Super Bowl chances. But the NFC North division is still there for the taking. The Bears will play them tough at home.
Buffalo Bills vs. Cleveland Browns
Date: Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Bills (-10)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bills 26, Browns 17
Buffalo’s comeback win over the Patriots should give them momentum as they close the regular season. Myles Garrett is closing in on the NFL’s single-season sack record, but the Browns don’t have enough to compete with the Bills.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Date: Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Cowboys (-1.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Chargers 23, Cowboys 20
The Cowboys are pretty much playing for pride at this point. The Chargers are still in contention for the AFC West crown. LA’s defense has been playing well lately. They’ll slow down the Cowboys offense (some).
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tennessee Titans
Date: Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Chiefs (-3.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Chiefs 22, Titans 20
Kansas City’s season ended last week. Look for the Chiefs to play inspired for Patrick Mahomes, whose season-ending knee injury should be the genesis for a retooling in Kansas City.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Miami Dolphins
Date: Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Bengals (-1)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bengals 26, Dolphins 24
A battle between two disappointing teams. The Bengals and Dolphins are both eliminated from the playoffs, but I expect Joe Burrow to have a better performance after a bad outing in Week 15.
New York Jets vs. New Orleans Saints
Date: Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Saints (-4)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Saints 20, Jets 17
The Saints are coming off two surprising wins over the top two teams in the NFC South. Kellen Moore, Tyler Shough and the Saints defense deserve a lot of credit for finishing the season strong. New Orleans carries its momentum against the Jets.
Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants
Date: Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Vikings (-3)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Vikings 21, Giants 17
J.J. McCarthy is starting to play like a competent quarterback. McCarthy’s connection with Justin Jefferson still needs work, but Minnesota is improving.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers
Date: Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Bucs (-3)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bucs 25, Panthers 20
This might be the game of the Week. The winner of this game takes control of the NFC South. I think the Bucs prove they are still the class of the division, but Carolina is coming.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Denver Broncos
Date: Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Broncos (-3)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Broncos 24, Jaguars 22
The Broncos have the longest active winning streak in the NFL at 11 games. Denver is closing in on the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The surging Jags are going to make it tough, though.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals
Date: Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Falcons (-2.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Falcons 25, Cardinals 21
The Falcons had a huge win against Tampa Bay last week. I expect the Falcons to ride Bijan Robinson to victory in this one.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions
Date: Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Lions (-7)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Lions 28, Steelers 24
Expect this to be a physical game between two teams battling to get in the playoffs. The Lions need to win out, and get help, to earn a playoff berth. Detroit’s the more desperate team. The Lions should be favored, but a seven-point spread feels like a lot. Pittsburgh’s won two in a row.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Houston Texans
Date: Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Texans (-14.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Texans 26, Raiders 10
It’s simple. The Raiders are the worst team in the NFL. Houston’s won six straight games, they are at home and fighting for a playoff spot.
New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens
Date: Sunday, Dec. 21
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
Spread: Ravens (-3)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Ravens 28, Patriots 27
I’m surprised the Ravens are home favorites in this one. I originally picked Baltimore to win the Super Bowl. A win against New England could catapult them as they close the year against Green Bay and Pittsburgh.
Indianapolis Colts vs. San Francisco 49ers
Date: Monday, Dec. 22
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
TV: ESPN
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: 49ers (-5.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: 49ers 24, Colts 20
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