NFL Game Week 16 - Schedule, Best Picks & Where to Watch
We are officially into the final three weeks of the season, following an unusual week 15 NFL slate that perhaps didn’t quite live up to expectations. The Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions at least treated us to a 90-point clash stocked full of highlights, but most other games turned out more one-sided than we would’ve liked. Indianapolis stumbled out of their bye and failed to capitalize on a great opportunity to bolster their playoff chances, Geno Smith’s injury made things tricky for Seattle and opened the door for LA in the NFC West, and Pittsburgh looked out of their depth against Philadelphia.
It certainly felt like a bad week for injuries, and with the playoffs looming, the pressure is mounting in more ways than one. Play-off seeding and the draft order are changing every game, so let’s see what’s going to be on the line this weekend, and make some NFL Week 16 predictions. As always, make sure to check our NFL page for up-to-date timings and broadcast information for the full slate.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Commanders
- Date & Time: Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD
- Broadcast Details: FOX, Fubo Sports
The early window of Sunday’s slate will feature the second edition of the NFC East clash between Philadelphia and Washington. The first time these two teams met it was the defenses who started on top, with Washington taking a 10-6 lead into the fourth quarter. It was at this point that Saquon Barkley took over though, scoring two long rushing touchdowns to take his tally to 146 yards and two scores on 26 carries. Unfortunately, for Philly's opponents, the threat of him in the run game only increases as the quarters pass by, and he will be eager for another strong outing after only managing 65 yards against the Steelers.
Jayden Daniels had one of his quieter showings in that first fixture, but it did come at a time when he was struggling with his rib injury. He has passed for at least 200 yards and two touchdowns in each of his last three games and has rushed for over 60 yards in two of them. Daniels has led the Commanders to 28.3 points and 373.9 yards per game, which are both good enough to rank inside the top six in each category. It will be tough sledding this week though, going up against a Philadelphia defense that ranks first in both points and yards conceded, giving up just 17.6 and 275.6 respectively.
Philly will also be aware that Daniels took eight sacks against New Orleans, and their defensive line will be very excited to pin their ears back and rack up some stats of their own. The other good news for the Eagles is that they got their passing game going, with both AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith going for over 100 yards and a touchdown each last week. The only minor blemish was a potential injury to AJ Brown, so Eagles fans will be watching his status with a key all week long.
Prediction/Analysis:
It is hard to bet against Philadelphia at the moment, particularly when you consider that Washington let the New Orleans Saints back in this weekend and gave them an opportunity to win. Philadelphia, on the other hand, ground out a 10-minute drive to close out the fourth quarter, restricting Pittsburgh to just two drives in the entire second half. They are a dominant team on both sides of the ball and should be able to get another win here.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
- Date & Time: Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
- Broadcast Details: FOX, Fubo Sports
Another divisional clash will be the focus of our second game, with the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore are looking for revenge in this fixture, having fallen to the AFC North foe by 16 points to 18 last time out. Each team enters this game with very different confidence levels though. The Ravens are flying high after a demolishing of the New York Giants, in which Lamar Jackson was in sparkling form, whereas the Steelers limp into this game after being manhandled by the Eagles.
We all know that Pittsburgh wants to run the ball, given that their 32.5 rush attempts per game ranked second in the NFL, but their loss to Philadelphia shows just how messy things can get if they can’t. Neither Najee Harris nor Jaylen Warren averaged over 3 yards per carry, and they might somehow find it even harder this week, going up against a Baltimore defense that ranks first in the NFL with just 80.7 rushing yards conceded per game. Another factor that went into making this such a lackluster outing was the absence of George Pickens, who is the only player who can really add an explosive element to the passing game. The Steelers are likely to be up against it once again if he can’t go this weekend.
There are no such concerns for Baltimore, who watched Lamar Jackson complete 21 of his 25 pass attempts for 290 yards and five touchdowns, with several receivers getting in on the action. With him in MVP form, the offense ranks inside the top three for both points and yards per game, and they were able to give Derrick Henry a lighter workload last week which means he will be fresh and ready to run over these Steelers. He and Lamar are racking up 178.4 rushing yards per game, which is second-best in the NFL, but it will be interesting to see them go up against Pittsburgh's fourth-ranked run defense. That same Steeler unit falls all the way to 22nd when it comes to defending the pass, giving up 222 yards per game, so maybe this is another opportunity for Lamar to pick up some more yards through the air.
Prediction/Analysis:
Everything points towards Baltimore in this game, even though they lost in the first edition of this fixture. Pittsburgh were beaten to a pulp by Philadelphia last week, who only allowed them to have two drives in the second half. Baltimore takes a similar approach to their style of play, and I see the result going in their favor.
Minnesota Vikings @ Seattle Seahawks
- Date & Time: Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 4:05 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
- Broadcast Details: FOX, Fubo Sports
Now, it is worth noting that this game will only be worth keeping an eye on if Geno Smith is healthy enough to play, because the Sam Howell experience was not enjoyable. That being said, it sounds like Seattle are hoping Smith will practice this week, which will be crucial, given that they have lost their lead in the NFC West.
The Seahawks were dominated by Green Bay last week, and they now have to face off against another red-hot team in Minnesota. To make matters worse, Minnesota will be buoyed by the fact that they now are tied with the Detroit Lions at the top of the NFC North, with their rivals very much struggling with injuries. Sam Darnold has been spectacular this year, to the extent that the Vikings are genuinely going to have to consider bringing him back. He has passed for 3,530 yards and 29 touchdowns so far this year, helping the team rank inside the top 10 in points scored per game, with 26.4.
He will be tested this week by a sturdy Seahawks outfit, who were on a hot streak before giving up 30 points to Jordan Love and Green Bay last week. It will be fascinating to see if they can re-find their form and slow down Minnesota’s loaded offense.
For Seattle, a bounceback is needed, and they can at least take confidence in the fact that the Vikings are conceding the fourth most passing yards per game with 244.9. Only Geno Smith can be trusted to make the most of that though, and with Minnesota ranking second with only 89.1 rushing yards conceded per game, it does feel like Smith's availability will make or break their chances. If he can go, then it could be a fun outing for Jaxon Smith-Njigba and DK Metcalf, who are both hunting down the 1000-yard milestone.
Prediction/Analysis:
At this moment in time, it looks touch and go as to whether Geno Smith will play. Even if he does, it is questionable as to how much the injury will impact his effectiveness, so the easy route is to back the Vikings here. They are playing great football on both sides of the ball, and, with just two losses on the season, they should fancy their chances against a reeling Seahawks unit.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Dallas Cowboys
Sunday, Dec 22, 8:20 p.m. | NBC, Peacock
Can the Buccaneers hold onto their lead in the NFC South with a win here against a Dallas Cowboys team coming off a 30-point outing?
Author: Venuse, Inc.