There have only been two playoff spots clinched approaching Week 16, but we could see more teams punch their ticket, and we might even see some divisions getting clinched as well. As we have talked about all year now, the amount of parity in the league in 2025 is flat-out awesome.
Nearly every single game is competitive, and it's really anyone's Super Bowl this year. As we have done recently, we've outlined a few teams we believe are guaranteed to lose this week. While there is a lot of parity, there can also be some lopsided matchups.
Let's get into these four teams that have losses coming their way in Week 16.
These four teams are guaranteed to lose in Week 16 of the 2025 NFL Season
Washington Commanders (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)
The Washington Commanders have shut Jayden Daniels down for the rest of the season and have been out of the playoff race for weeks now. At this point, the Commanders truly have nothing to play for, but the Philadelphia Eagles can win the NFC East with a win here in Week 16. Philly has playoff seeding to play for and are simply going to outmatch a Commanders team that was within one game of the Super Bowl.
Prediction: Eagles win 31-10
Cleveland Browns (vs. Buffalo Bills)
The Cleveland Browns could stay in this game thanks to their defense, and the Buffalo Bills' defense really isn't that special, but Buffalo tends to play well when they feel the heat, and with the AFC East hanging by a thread, the Bills have to keep stacking these wins and hope the New England Patriots stumble a bit.
Josh Allen is too much for the Browns' defense to handle as Buffalo gets their 11th win of the season, keeping their hopes alive in the division and perhaps even the top seed in the AFC playoffs.
Prediction: Bills win 26-16
Pittsburgh Steelers (@ Detroit Lions)
In a battle of 8-6 teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in Detroit to face the Lions. Both teams have had their share of issues this year. For Pittsburgh, they really do not do much of anything well and can't overwhelm opponents. They are pretty average overall, ranking 13th in points scored and 18th in points allowed.
However, the Steelers are in first in the AFC North and control their destiny for the division title. On the flip side, the Detroit Lions have an elite, game-changing offense, ranking first in the league in points scored. With two teams that are somewhat close like this, the best unit is usually the one that prevails, and that would be the Detroit Lions' offense.
The Lions are going to score a ton of points in this one, and that's kind of how they have to win games since the defense has struggled this year. Detroit gets the win at home and gets to 9-6 on the season, keeping their playoff hopes alive.
Prediction: Lions win 31-20
Las Vegas Raiders (@ Houston Texans)
The Las Vegas Raiders were shutout in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles and are facing an even better defense in Week 16 against the Houston Texans. You honestly have to feel for the Raiders at this point, as they are the worst team in the league and are set to face arguably the best defense.
Unless Houston forgets to show up to the stadium, the Texans are going to cruise to a win here. The defense could create a plethora of turnovers, and the offense may hardly have to lift a finger. Vegas hired Pete Carroll this offseason and traded for Geno Smith in an effort to get some stability for a few years.
The total opposite has happened, and now Vegas could be set to blow things up again. Houston wins in massive fashion.