Entering Week 16, the NFL playoff picture is as clear as mud.
Several teams are still in the hunt in both conferences, and big games this weekend will allow the playoffs to begin taking shape.
Here are the biggest games of Week 16, and how they can affect the playoff picture.
LA Rams (11-3) at Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
*This game was played Thursday night prior to publishing this article*
Perhaps the biggest game of Week 16 already happened Thursday night as the Seattle Seahawks took control of the NFC West with a 38-37 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
Seattle, who also took over the top seed in the conference, now are in charge of their own destiny.
The victory clinched a playoff spot, but the division and conference are still up for grabs.
Los Angeles drops from the top seed in the NFC to the fifth seed, and would visit Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wildcard if the playoffs started today. For those interested in NFL playoff betting, the Seahawks distance themselves as the current NFC odds favorite to reach the Super Bowl.
Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) at Chicago Bears (10-4)
This game has lost some of it’s luster now that star Packers’ pass rusher Micah Parsons is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Even without Parsons chasing down Caleb Williams, this NFC North showdown should be an entertaining one, and garners huge playoff implications.
The Packers, fresh off of a loss to the Denver Broncos, can move into first place in the NFC North with a win, and move from the seventh seed to the second.
Chicago looks to maintain possession of the top spot in the division, and can improve their playoff seeding with a win.
The Bears sit as the second seed in the NFC, and with a win could pull within one game of the 12-3 Seattle Seahawks for the top spot.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) at Carolina Panthers (7-7)
Why does the NFC South battle always end up being the battle for the fourth seed in the NFC, and nearly always features a winner very near .500?
This is again the case when the Buccaneers visit the Panthers in a battle of two teams with identical 7-7 records.
The Bucs and Panthers will square off knowing the division winner will host a playoff game, but the other will not even make the playoffs because the Wildcard race is out of reach.
Baker Mayfield and his offensive weapons hope to put up enough points to outscore Bryce Young and the surprisingly effective Panthers offense.
It will be a slugfest, and the winner will be that much closer to a division title.
Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) at Denver Broncos (12-2)
Moving on to the AFC, the Denver Broncos are trying to hold on to the top spot in the conference, while the Jacksonville Jaguars are trying to claw their way to a higher seed.
Denver moved to 12-2 and in sole possession of the top spot in the AFC after defeating the Packers in Week 15, and the New England Patriots losing to the Buffalo Bills in a shootout.
Sean Payton and his team now try to defend home field advantage against Trevor Lawrence and the surging Jaguars.
A Jacksonville victory coupled with a Patriots loss would push the Jaguars up to the second seed in the conference, and bring them within one game of the Broncos for the top spot in the AFC.
New England Patriots (11-3) at Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
Remaining in the AFC, the Patriots visit the Ravens with their eyes on the number one seed in the conference.
New England is powered by an MVP-level season from young QB Drake Maye, and need to keep winning to hold off Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
The Ravens are fighting for their playoff lives, but are currently a full two games back of the Houston Texans for the seventh and final playoff slot.
Both teams need a win this weekend, but only one can come out with the victory.
Was this helpful?
