Weeks 16-17 of the NFL season means a few things. One it means the playoffs are right around the corner. Secondly, it means that seasons and playoff dreams will end sooner than teams would have hoped so. Last week we saw an upset that only a few may have seen coming in San Francisco as the then 4-9 Falcons went down the field and scored a touchdown with :02 left to go ahead and win. The Bears almost pulled off a successful hook and lateral play at Lambeau Field. They would fall about five yards short. Houston won a crucial game in Nashville. The Cowboys and Eagles each won to set up the biggest game for each team all year. Drew Brees took the all time lead for passing touchdowns in a career on Monday night. We get some Saturday games this weekend instead of Thursday. First, a look at the playoff picture.
Playoff Berths clinched
AFC: Baltimore, Kansas City, New England, Buffalo
NFC: New Orleans, Seattle, San Francisco, Green Bay
Playoff Clinching Scenarios for Week 16
AFC
Baltimore (First round bye): Win or New England or Kansas City Loss
Baltimore (1-Seed): Win or New England and Kansas City Loss
New England (AFC East): Win
New England (First round bye): Win and Kansas City Loss
Houston (AFC South): Win or Tennessee Loss
Houston (Playoffs): Pittsburgh Loss
NFC
Green Bay (NFC North): Win
Dallas (NFC East): Win
Minnesota (Playoffs): Win or Los Angeles Rams Loss
Week 16 Picks (all times central)
Houston Texans vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Saturday) 12:00pm NFLN (Pick: Houston)
Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots (Saturday) 3:30 NFLN (Pick: Buffalo)
Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers (Saturday) 7:15 NFLN (Pick: San Francisco)
New Orleans Saints vs Tennessee Titans 12:00 FOX (Pick: New Orleans)
Oakland Raiders vs Los Angeles Chargers 3:05 CBS (Pick: Oakland) (NFL 100 Game of the Week)
Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles 3:25 FOX (Pick: Philadelphia)
Kansas City Chiefs vs Chicago Bears 7:20 NBC (Pick: Kansas City)
Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings (Monday) 7:15 ESPN (Pick: Minnesota)
What to Watch For
We could know a lot by the end of Saturday night when talking playoffs. If Houston, New England, and San Francisco all win then we know this...Houston, New England will both win their divisions and the Vikings will be in the playoffs due to the Rams loss. Sunday afternoon in Nashville will be huge because either way there will be playoff implications on this game. All eyes are on Sunday at 3:25 in the city of brotherly love. This will be a slugfest in my opinion. I do not see a lot of offense. I see a game that will be along the lines of 19-16 or 24-23 at the highest maybe. Monday night is also looming large. The Vikings could be in the playoffs on Saturday night, but they have higher aspirations...home playoff game. It is going to be a fun weekend. Since we will not communicate until after Christmas, we leave you with a message.
We at DISPN, hope you have a wonderful time with family and friends over the holiday. We wish you a Merry Christmas.
Have a magical day and a merry Christmas and we will SEE YA! real soon.
