Week 16 of the 2019 NFL season is here. With two games remaining on the schedule, eight of the 12 postseason berths already have been clinched. But none of the seed have been sewn up yet, so much remains at stake in the playoff picture this weekend.
On Saturday, the gritty Buffalo Bills, who are seeking their first division title since 1995, visit the mighty New England Patriots with a chance to move into a tie atop the AFC East with their longtime nemesis.
On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys travel to play the Philadelphia Eagles with a chance to clinch the NFC East. The Eagles need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, in a game quarterback Carson Wentz called the biggest of his career.
On Monday, the Green Bay Packers hit the road to play the Minnesota Vikings with an opportunity to clinch the NFC North. With a win, the Vikings will remain alive for the division title and a potential first-round bye — but they might have to do it without star running back Dalvin Cook.
For those with their eyes already on the 2020 NFL Draft, there is an epic pillow fight in South Florida between the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins — combined record: 4-24.
To see which games will be shown on network TV in your area, visit our Week 16 game maps article here.
Without further ado, here are your NFL game previews for Saturday (Dec. 21), Sunday (Dec. 22) and Monday (Dec. 23):
Houston Texans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TV: 1 p.m. ET Saturday, NFL Network
Records: Texans 9-5, Buccaneers 7-7
Line: Texans by 3½
Satellite radio: Texans feed on Sirius 108 (streaming 812), Bucs feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 829)
Texans’ keys: QB Deshaun Watson needs to take advantage of Tampa Bay’s weak secondary, though that group has been making strides in the season’s second half.
Buccaneers’ keys: Let QB Jameis Winston be Jameis Winston. Over the past month, he has bounced back from early-season mistakes.
Who wins? Taking down a talented Houston team would give Tampa Bay, which has won five of its last six games, confidence heading into the offseason. Buccaneers 34, Texans 28
— Colin Liotta
Hou@TB / Buf@NE / LAR@SF / Jax@Atl / Bal@Cle / NO@Ten / Car@Ind / Cin@Mia / Pit@NYJ / NYG@Was / Det@Den / Oak@LAC / Dal@Phi / Ari@Sea / KC@Chi / GB@Min
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
TV: 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday, NFL Network
Records: Bills 10-4, Patriots 11-3
Line: Patriots by 6½
Satellite radio: Bills feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 803), Pats feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 820)
Bills’ keys: Maintain long and efficient possessions by featuring RB Devin Singletary against New England’s run defense. The Bills’ defense, meanwhile, needs to play only slightly better than it did in these teams’ first matchup, which the Patriots won 16-10.
Patriots’ keys: QB Tom Brady must avoid turnovers, even if it means New England plays an ugly and boring brand of football. The Patriots wouldn’t mind featuring RB Sony Michel for the entire game.
Who wins? If this game were in Buffalo, the Bills might win. But … Patriots 17, Bills 10
— Henry McKenna
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Saturday, NFL Network
Records: Rams 8-6, 49ers 11-3
Line: 49ers by 6½
Satellite radio: Rams feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 817), 49ers feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 827)
Rams’ keys: Getting out to a fast start and playing from ahead allows DT Aaron Donald to wreak havoc on a San Francisco offensive line that’s starting its backup center. Stifling defense was the Rams’ formula for beating the 49ers in their Week 6 matchup.
49ers’ keys: The emergence of WR Deebo Samuel and the arrival of WR Emmanuel Sanders have helped QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
Who wins? The Rams’ recent offensive resurgence should make them more effective than they were in their first game against the 49ers, but their inability to block San Francisco’s dynamic defensive front will be the difference. 49ers 23, Rams 17
— Kyle Madson
Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta Falcons
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Jaguars 5-9, Falcons 5-9
Line: Falcons by 7½
Satellite radio: Jaguars feed on Sirius 113 (streaming 814), Falcons feed on Sirius 81 (streaming 801)
Jaguars’ keys: Establish the run early to bring more defenders in the box to take advantage of Atlanta’s undermanned secondary.
Falcons’ keys: Come out extremely aggressive. This team has started games slowly all season.
Who wins? Falcons have a better QB (Matt Ryan) and headed in right direction since Week 9 bye. Falcons 24, Jaguars 17
— Matt Urben
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Ravens 12-2, Browns 6-8
Line: Ravens by 9½
Satellite radio: Ravens feed on Sirius 138 (streaming 802), Browns feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 807)
Ravens’ keys: In the first meeting, Baltimore had no answers for Browns RB Nick Chubb. Getting an interception or two from CB Brandon Carr or CB Marcus Peters would help.
Browns’ keys: QB Baker Mayfield needs to consistently find the proper target and pick holes in the Ravens’ defense without sacrificing touches for Chubb.
Who wins? Cleveland won the meeting in Baltimore, but the Ravens keep burning toward the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Ravens 30, Browns 21
— Jeff Risdon
New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Saints 11-3, Titans 8-6
Line: Saints by 2½
Satellite radio: Saints feed on Sirius 121 (streaming 821), Titans feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 830)
Saints’ keys: Limit a potentially lethal Tennessee ground game and force turnovers from Titans QB Ryan Tannehill (114.6 rating).
Titans’ keys: Getting the momentum early and keeping it will be vital against a team that’s been as dominant as the Saints in 2019.
Who wins? Saints have proved a better team on the road (5-1) than at home. Saints 24, Titans 20
— Crissy Froyd
Carolina Panthers at Indianapolis Colts
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Panthers 5-9, Colts 6-8
Line: Colts by 7½
Satellite radio: Panthers feed on Sirius 108 (streaming 804), Colts feed on Sirius 137 (streaming 813)
Panthers’ keys: Front seven will need to prioritize stopping Colts RB Marlon Mack.
Colts’ keys: Offense must run through Mack while QB Jacoby Brissett must find a few plays downfield, something he has struggled to do consistently.
Who wins? Colts, despite recent struggles, will bounce back. Colts 22, Panthers 19
— Kevin Hickey
Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Bengals 1-13, Dolphins 3-11
Line: Dolphins by 1½
Satellite radio: Bengals feed on Sirius 136 (streaming 806), Dolphins feed on Sirius 133 (streaming 818)
Bengals’ keys: Get RB Joe Mixon going and keep the offense in third-and-short so Miami will be unable to call its aggressive blitzing with consistency.
Dolphins’ keys: Look for QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to continue to take calculated risks and give WR DeVante Parker and TE Mike Gesicki opportunities in traffic.
Who wins? The Dolphins seem to have a critical advantage in the coaching department and will have an edge in the form of the South Florida sun. Dolphins 27, Bengals 17
— Kyle Crabbs
Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Steelers 8-6, Jets 5-9
Line: Steelers by 2½
Satellite radio: Steelers feed on Sirius 211 (streaming 826), Jets feed on Sirius 134 (streaming 823)
Steelers’ keys: Safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds have potential to make life miserable for Jets QB Sam Darnold, who is coming off a two-turnover performance against the Ravens.
Jets’ keys: Need Darnold to play like a franchise quarterback. RB Le’Veon Bell will get a chance to stick it to his former team if coach Adam Gase gives him some chances.
Who wins? The mini-bye after a Week 15 Thursday game will give the Jets a chance to get healthy, but that won’t make a difference. Steelers 24, Jets 13
— Gary Phillips
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Giants 3-11, Redskins 3-11
Line: Redskins by 2½
Satellite radio: Giants feed on Sirius 111 (streaming 822), Redskins feed on Sirius 135 (streaming 831)
Giants’ keys: Establish a ground game with RB Saquon Barkley to open up passing game against a banged-up Washington secondary.
Redskins keys: Rushing attack featuring veteran RB Adrian Peterson will allow QB Dwayne Haskins to take a couple of shots downfield to Terry McLaurin.
Who wins? Expect big game from Haskins and McLaurin. Redskins 24, Giants 20
— Zac Neel
Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Lions 3-10-1, Broncos 5-9
Line: Broncos by 6½
Satellite radio: Lions feed on Sirius 138 (streaming 810), Broncos feed on Sirius 137 (streaming 809)
Lions’ keys: WR Kenny Golladay already has reached 1,000 receiving yards and 10 TDs, and he will be a big test for Denver’s defense.
Broncos’ keys: Take pressure off rookie QB Drew Lock by trying to control the game with RBs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman.
Who wins? Lock has energized the Broncos, and OLB Von Miller needs three sacks to reach double digits for sixth consecutive year. Broncos 24, Lions 14
— Jon Heath
Oakland Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Raiders 6-8, Chargers 5-9
Line: Chargers by 6½
Satellite radio: Raiders feed on Sirius 113 (streaming 824), Chargers feed on Sirius 81 (streaming 816)
Raiders’ keys: Will have to rely on RB Josh Jacobs, a favorite for the offensive rookie of the year award.
Chargers’ keys: Philip Rivers having time to throw against a pass defense that’s near the bottom of the league.
Who wins? Chargers have dominated the Raiders on their home turf in recent years and should benefit from the return of injured starters who missed the first meeting. Chargers 21, Raiders 14
— Gavino Borquez
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Cowboys 7-7, Eagles 7-7
Line: Cowboys by 1½
Satellite radio: Cowboys feed on Sirius 121 (streaming 808), Eagles feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 825)
Cowboys’ keys: Ride QB Dak Prescott – who has been dealing with a finger injury since Week 14 and now a possible shoulder injury – and WR Amari Cooper, who dominated Philadelphia in their last three meetings. On defense, pressure QB Carson Wentz, make tackles on RBs Miles Sanders and Boston Scott in the open field and contain TE Zach Ertz.
Eagles’ keys: To win the division, Eagles will have to lean on Sanders and Scott. The Eagles are short-handed at WR, so look for them to start with an up-tempo offense that features plenty of run-pass options and play action.
Who wins? Eagles control their destiny. A win would give them an opportunity to secure a division crown and rest their starters in the regular-season finale. Eagles 31, Cowboys 21
— Glenn Erby
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Cardinals 4-9-1, Seahawks 11-3
Line: Seahawks by 9½
Satellite radio: Cardinals feed on Sirius 108 (streaming 800), Seahawks feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 828)
Cardinals’ keys: Their sole job in this outing is to play spoiler. Arizona has struggled to find offensive consistency despite the addition of No. 1 overall draft pick QB Kyler Murray and new head coach Kliff Kingsbury.
Seahawks’ keys: Seattle has dropped two home games this season and cannot afford another loss. QB Russell Wilson needs to turn to his veteran WRs, along with rookie wideout DK Metcalf, to capture early momentum.
Who wins? This game is too important to Seattle. Seahawks 31, Cardinals 10
— Liz Mathews
Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC
Records: Chiefs 10-4, Bears 7-7
Line: Chiefs by 4½
Satellite radio: Chiefs feed on Sirius 81 (streaming 815), Bears feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 805)
Chiefs’ keys: QB Patrick Mahomes needs to rekindle the spark, especially against a good Chicago defense. On defense, Bears WRs Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller have hit their stride and will challenge Kansas City’s cornerbacks.
Bears’ keys: Keep Mahomes from getting outside the pocket to buy time for WRs Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman. Bears QB Michell Trubisky needs to be smart using his mobility while remaining strong in the pocket.
Who wins? Trubisky has been playing well of late but Mahomes is the superior quarterback. Chiefs 24, Bears 17
— Alyssa Barbieri
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN
Records: Packers 11-3, Vikings 10-4
Line: Vikings by 3½
Satellite radio: Packers feed on Sirius 81 (streaming 811), Vikings feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 819)
Packers’ keys: If they can exploit Minnesota’s secondary the way other teams have, they should be able to put a bow on their first NFC North championship since 2016.
Vikings’ keys: QB Kirk Cousins is probably having the best season of his career, but people won’t care about it if he can’t win these big games. RB Dalvin Cook’s status uncertain.
Who wins? Vikings are 6-0 at home this season. This one could come down to a Dan Bailey field goal. Vikings 27, Packers 24
— Kyle Ratke
Lines by BetMGM.com
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