This week, a total of nine teams can join the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams in the NFL’s 2025 playoff field.
The New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Philadelphia Eagles simply have to win and they are in. In the case of the Birds, they would wrap up a second consecutive NFC East title by knocking off the Commanders on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the NFC West, NFC North, and NFC South feature matchups this week between the top two teams in those divisions.
Football food for thought in Week 16 of the 2025 NFL Season
Thursday, Dec. 18
L.A. Rams (11-3) at Seattle (11-3): In Week 11 at SoFi Stadium, the Seahawks outgained the Rams in total yardage, 414-249, but quarterback Sam Darnold served up four picks in a 21-19 loss. Sean McVay’s two-headed rushing attack of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum face the league’s third-best run defense.
Saturday, Dec. 20
Philadelphia (9-5) at Washington (4-10): It’s the first of two meetings between these teams the final three weeks of the season. Nick Sirianni’s team took advantage of the league’s worst offense last week in blanking the Raiders. The Commanders’ minus-12 turnover differential is the third-worst in the NFL.
Green Bay (9-4-1) at Chicago (10-4): Two weeks ago, Matt LaFleur’s team held off the Bears, 28-21, at Lambeau Field. The Packers suffered key injuries in last week’s setback at Denver. Chicago leads the NFL with 30 takeaways, while eight of Green Bay’s 11 turnovers this season came in their four losses and a tie.
Sunday, Dec. 21
Tampa Bay (7-7) at Carolina (7-7): The Buccaneers have dropped two straight home games to the Saints and Falcons, while the improved Panthers have alternated wins and losses in each of their last eight outings. Tampa Bay owns a 9-1 edge in this series dating back to 2020, prevailing in the last five meetings.
Buffalo (10-4) at Cleveland (3-11): Sean McDermott’s team appears to have its swagger back, this after last week’s 35-31 win over the Patriots in which the Bills rallied from a 21-0 deficit. However, there will be a lot of eyes on Cleveland’s Myles Garrett (21.5), who is on the verge of a new single-season sack record.
L.A. Chargers (10-4) at Dallas (6-7-1): A victory by Jim Harabugh’s club (4-2 on the road this season) would equal last year’s win total. The Cowboys have dropped two straight since knocking off the Chiefs on Thanksgiving Day, and this season are giving up exactly 30.0 points per game—second-worst in the NFL.
Cincinnati (4-10) at Miami (6-8): This game was flexed out of Sunday night. Now Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel has flexed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out of the starting lineup in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers. The latter could have some success against a team that has allowed the most points in the league.
N.Y. Jets (3-11) at New Orleans (4-10): The Jets’ defense was awful last Sunday at Jacksonville and it cost coordinator Steve Wilks his job. This club has allowed the third-most points in the NFL, and Aaron Glenn’s team is 1-5 away from home. They face a spunky Saints’ team that has won three of its last five games.
Minnesota (6-8) at N.Y. Giants (2-12): Kevin O’Connell’s club surprised the Cowboys last Sunday night at Arlington. The Giants fell at home to the Commanders, dropping their eighth consecutive game. Only the Jets (3) and Commanders (8) have fewer takeaways than Big Blue, who is 1-9 vs. NFC teams in 2025.
Kansas City (6-8) at Tennessee (2-12): The third-place Chiefs, who won’t be in the playoffs for the first time since 2014, take on the last-place Titans. Of course, Andy Reid’s team won’t have Patrick Mahomes for the remainder of 2025. A loss by the Chiefs would mark their first sub-.500 campaign since 2012.
Atlanta (5-9) at Arizona (3-11): The Falcons stunned the Bucs last week in Tampa thanks to a big night from Kirk Cousins. Trey McBride has been a bright spot for the disappointing Cards and leads the NFL with 105 catches. The last tight end to lead the league in receptions was Tony Gonzalez with the Chiefs in 2004.
Jacksonville (10-4) at Denver (12-2): It’s a battle of division leaders in the Mile High City. Only the Bears (30) have totaled more takeaways than Liam Coen’s team (26). Meanwhile, the Broncos own an NFL-best 11-game winning streak, have already secured a playoff berth and possess the league’s best record.
Pittsburgh (8-6) at Detroit (8-6): It’s a Steelers’ team that has won two straight games for the first time in more than two months. That streak could be short-lived as Pittsburgh’s shaky defense must deal with the NFL’s fifth-ranked ground game. Mike Tomlin can notch his 200th career coaching win (including playoffs).
Las Vegas (2-12) at Houston (9-5): What could possibly go wrong for the Raiders? The Silver and Black, losers of eight straight games, have been shut out twice this season. Now Pete Carroll’s club, which has scored an NFL-low 196 points, takes on a red-hot Texans’ squad that has allowed a league-low 228 points.
New England (11-3) at Baltimore (7-7): The Patriots had the AFC East in its grasp last week after jumping out to a 21-0 lead over Buffalo. Now they have to wait to win its first division title since 2019 after Buffalo rallied for a win. The Ravens shook off a home loss to the Steelers by shutting out the Bengals last Sunday.
Monday, Dec. 22
San Francisco (10-4) at Indianapolis (8-6): Simply put, Kyle Shanahan’s club can secure a playoff berth in this clash of teams headed in opposite directions. The Niners have won four straight games, while the Colts have lost four in a row and have gone from a first-place team to third in the wide-open AFC South.