Another week down the home stretch for the NFL, another week with massive playoff and division stakes. Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season is absolutely loaded with great matchups from Thursday to Monday, but especially in the primetime slots.
And this week, we even get some bonus "primetime" action with a couple of Saturday games, including a Packers-Bears showdown that could end up being the best game of the week.
In these Week 16 NFL predictions, we're making our game picks and score predictions for every game being played "under the lights' in primetime. We've got a lot to unpack, so let's dive right in.
Week 16 NFL Picks and score predictions for every primetime game
Los Angeles Rams (11-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
Thursday, December 18, 8:15 PM ET
This is obviously one of the best matchups of the week in the NFL, if not the premier matchup. It's got all of the elements you could possibly want. The Seahawks are playing host to the Rams, putting one of the best teams in the NFL in a hostile environment. You've got playoff and division title implications.
This game could ultimately determine who hosts the NFC Championship Game. It's going to be an absolute dogfight with two teams also playing on a short week. Luckily for them, they are familiar with each other. The Seahawks are favored by 1.5 points and frankly, I have no idea how to predict this game.
It's a toss-up and my answer will be different every hour of the game leading up to kickoff.
Prediction: Rams win 24-23
Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) @ Chicago Bears (10-4)
Saturday, December 20, 8:20 PM ET
For the second time in the last three weeks, we're getting a showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. The last matchup between these two teams ended in epic and dramatic fashion with Caleb Williams throwing an interception on 4th down inside the red zone to end the game.
The Packers had to fend off a furious second-half comeback by the Bears, and made just enough plays to do so. Now, we've got both teams once again tied in the loss column and first place in the NFC North on the line in this one.
The Bears are favored by 1.5 points at home in this one, and I think Vegas is feeling the same way about these first two epic division matchups as we all are: They can really go either way.
I like Chicago to take the second of these two matchups. But just like the Rams-Seahawks game, ask me again in an hour and I'll probably be convinced that the Packers are winning. We'll see how massive it is for Green Bay to be playing without Micah Parsons (and others) in this game.
Prediction: Bears win 23-20
New England Patriots (11-3) @ Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
Sunday, December 21, 8:20 PM ET
Once again, we have to reiterate just how perfectly the NFL nailed this week's primetime matchups. The games being played in front of national audiences could not possibly have higher stakes.
The Baltimore Ravens are playing at home against the Patriots, coming off of one of their most impressive wins of the season. I know the Bengals have had a rough year, but for the Ravens to shut them out with Joe Burrow playing? That was a statement game, and may have been an indicator that the Ravens are officially "back".
The Patriots blew a 21-0 lead against Buffalo in New England last week, which has soured a lot of folks. Especially because the Patriots were coming off of their bye week, and everyone is now recognizing that we haven't seen the Patriots win in comeback fashion at all this season. In fact, Drake Maye has exactly zero comeback wins as an NFL quarterback.
It's going to be fascinating to see how Baltimore's defense attacks him in this game, and how Maye and the Patriots respond after the complete debacle vs. Buffalo last week.
The Ravens are favored by three points at home, and I'm buying them after last week's defensive performance, plus Derrick Henry and the running game really turning it up.
Prediction: Ravens win 27-23
San Francisco 49ers (10-4) @ Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
Monday, December 22, 8:15 PM ET
The primetime matchups for Week 16 end on Monday Night Football with the Indianapolis Colts and Philip Rivers playing host to the San Francisco 49ers.
At one point this season, the Colts looked like the best overall team in the NFL. The 49ers have been battling one injury after another, and they have endured.
I think everyone is fascinated by the Philip Rivers story, and he gave a much better effort last week than most could have possibly expected. He threw a touchdown pass and had helped the Colts get a late 4th quarter lead against the Seahawks, but the Colts' defense couldn't get a stop late in the 4th and Rivers threw an interception in desperation time.
The 49ers have just done a great job of executing on both sides of the ball this season, regardless of their personnel availability. They have the 2nd-best 3rd down offense and the 9th-best red zone offense. They rank 11th on both offense and defense in points per game.
As fun as it would be to see Rivers help the Colts to a win, I just don't think the Colts are going to be able to keep this one a low-scoring dogfight against the Niners.
Prediction: 49ers win 31-17