The NFL season is already in week 16, as this season has flown by.
NFL teams are either fighting to make the playoffs, win the division, or looking towards next season.
Here is the current AFC playoff picture and teams in the hunt:
- 1. Denver Broncos (12-2)
- 2. New England Patriots (11-3)
- 3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
- 4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)
- 5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
- 6. Buffalo Bills (10-4)
- 7. Houston Texans (9-5)
- 8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
- 9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
- 1. Los Angeles Rams (11-3)
- 2. Chicago Bears (10-4)
- 3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
- 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
- 5. Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
- 6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
- 7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
- 8. Detroit Lions (8-6)
- 9. Carolina Panthers(7-7)
The teams that remain in the hunt in the AFC:
Here is the current NFC playoff picture and teams in the hunt:
The teams that remain in the hunt in the NFC:
Seven games have major playoff implications in week 16.
Seven Week 16 Contests With Major Playoff Implications
With only three weeks remaining in the regular season, the push for the playoffs is strong.
Seven games in week 16 have major playoff implications.
Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks(-1.5) (O/U: 43.0)
The Los Angeles Rams (11-3) will take on division rivals, the Seattle Seahawks (11-3).
This is a critical game for both teams as it likely decides the winner of the NFC West and possibly the number one seed in the NFC.
The Rams already clinched a playoff spot and have a victory over the Seahawks on the season.
Seattle needs to beat the Rams, or they will not win the division.
Both teams will make the playoffs, but to win the division and finish first in the NFC, this game is massive for both teams.
Green Bay Packers(-1.0) @ Chicago Bears(O/U: 46.5)
The Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) will travel to Chicago (10-4) to take on the Bears in a pivotal game for both teams in Week 16.
Another critical division matchup is set to take place on Saturday night. Green Bay defeated the Bears two weeks ago and will face them once again.
The winner of this game will increase their chances of winning the division significantly.
This is a critical matchup for both teams.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers(-3.0) @ Carolina Panthers (O/U: 45.5)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) will take on the Carolina Panthers (7-7) in a massive divisional contest.
The winner of this game will have a major edge in the NFC South.
It feels like neither team has much of a chance to go on a run in the playoffs, but they will at least secure one home playoff game.
This division is up for grabs, and the two remaining matchups between the Bucs and Panthers will decide the division.
The team that does not win the division will miss the playoffs, as they will not get in via a wild-card spot.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Denver Broncos(-3.0) (O/U: 42.5)
The Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) will go on the road against the Denver Broncos (12-2).
Jacksonville is one of the biggest surprises this season. Liam Coen deserves a lot of credit and Coach of the Year consideration for how he has Trevor Lawrence playing so well. The Jags are 10-4 and first in the NFC South. They have a 98% chance of making the playoffs.
Denver has already clinched a playoff spot. They are now looking to lock up the AFC West and the number one seed in the AFC. A win this week will go a long way in achieving both.
This is a big game for both teams.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Detroit Lions(-7.0) (O/U: 52.0)
The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) will travel to Detroit to take on the Lions (8-6).
This is a big game for the Steelers. They currently have a 62% chance of winning the division after beating Miami last week. A win this week will increase their chances of making the playoffs. A win and a Baltimore loss in week 16 would be massive for the Steelers. However, a loss and Ravens win would severely hurt Pittsburgh’s chances of winning the division. The Steelers may not have T.J. Watt after suffering a lung injury. This is a massive road contest for the Steelers. Pittsburgh would really like to wrap up the division by its week 18 matchup against Baltimore to avoid it being for the division.
Detroit has a 36% chance of making the playoffs. A win this week and their chances will increase as the Bears and Packers square off this week as well. The Lions are a really good team, and no NFC team wants to face them in the postseason.
This is a big game for both squads.
New England Patriots @ Baltimore Ravens(-3.0) (O/U: 48.0)
The New England Patriots (11-3) will take on the Baltimore Ravens (7-7).
New England lost last week against the Bills, which could have wrapped up the division. They still have a 65% chance of winning the division, but a loss and it will shoot right down, as the Bills face the Browns. The Patriots need to win this game to maintain their division lead over Buffalo.
Baltimore needs to win to make their week 18 matchup against the Steelers for the division. A loss this week for Baltimore means they would need the Steelers to lose to Detroit, which, in all likelihood, Pittsburgh will lose.
This is a critical game for both teams.
San Francisco 49ers(-6.0) @ Indianapolis Colts(O/U: 46.5)
The San Francisco 49ers (10-4) will take on the Indianapolis Colts (8-6) on Monday Night Football.
San Francisco has a 98% chance of making the playoffs. If Seattle loses in week 16 and the 49ers win, they will have the same record. This means their week 18 matchup against Seattle could be for the fifth seed, which is a much better matchup to face an NFC South team instead of likely facing the Philadelphia Eagles on the road.
Indianapolis needs to win to keep any playoff hopes alive. A loss this week and the Colts are, in all likelihood, out of the playoffs.
Monday Night Football is a big game for both teams.
