With Christmas around the corner, a few NFL teams will be hoping for a little holiday magic during their Week 16 matchups. A number of division champions could possibly be crowned and playoff berths could be earned.
The NFL has also opted to gift fans two games on Christmas this season and at least one of them looks to be at least a little intriguing.
For everything else related to Week 16 in the NFL, including the full game schedule, announcers for each contest, and their respective TV maps, we conveniently have a guide ready for viewing down below.
Saturday, December 23
Indianapolis Colts (3-11) at Baltimore Ravens (8-6) – 4:30pm ET, NFLN
Announcers: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green
Colts notes – Reports of Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano’s exit after this season have begun to pick up more steam. A recent report suggests that Pagano and a number of players from the 2017 roster will not return next season and that possible candidates to be the Colts next head coach include Kansas City Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Ravens notes – If the season ended after last week, Baltimore would not be included in this year’s playoffs. However, with their final two games against the underwhelming Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, the Ravens winning out and one of the three teams ahead of them in the current AFC playoff picture losing at least one of their next two games seems pretty plausible.
Minnesota Vikings (11-3) at Green Bay Packers (7-7) – 8:30pm ET, NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth
Vikings notes – Already with a spot in this season’s NFC playoffs after their win last week, Minnesota can clinch a first-round bye in the postseason with a victory on Saturday and a Carolina Panthers loss on Sunday. However, the Vikings would miss out on capturing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs (including the Super Bowl) if they lose or the Philadelphia Eagles get a win in their matchup on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.
Packers notes – Following their loss to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday and the Atlanta Falcons defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Monday, Green Bay will not be playing in a postseason game this year for the first time since 2008. That season is also known as the first year Aaron Rodgers became the Packers’ full-time starting quarterback.
Sunday, December 24
Detroit Lions (8-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-9) – 1:00pm ET, FOX
Announcers: Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman – TV Map
Lions notes – On the outside of the NFC playoff picture right now, Detroit could easily capture a spot in the postseason if they win their final two games. With their last two opponents a combined 12-16 this year, the Lions’ chances seem pretty good. Then again, this is the Lions we are talking about.
Bengals notes – For the second straight game, Cincinnati gave up more than 30 points to their opponent during the team’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week. The last time a Bengals team allowed 30 points or more in three straight games was back in 1999 when they had the NFL’s worst defense in terms of points allowed.
Miami Dolphins (6-8) at Kansas City Chiefs (8-6) – 1:00pm ET, CBS
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon – TV Map
Dolphins notes – Despite being acquired less than a year ago by the team, Miami is reportedly expected to release tight end Julius Thomas this offseason. Thomas’ current contract has him scheduled to earn at least $6.5 million in 2018 and it is clear the Dolphins do not think he is worth that much to keep around.
Chiefs notes – Despite having only three wins in their last nine games this year, Kansas City can actually clinch the AFC West division crown with a victory this week. If so, it would be the second straight division title for the Chiefs and the franchise’s third since 2010.
Buffalo Bills (8-6) at New England Patriots (11-3) – 1:00pm ET, CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo – TV Map
Bills notes – With their first playoff berth since 1999 on the line, the team that stands in the way of Buffalo getting to the postseason is none other than Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The Bills have come out of New England just once with Brady as the Patriots’ starting quarterback. That was a Week 17 game in 2014 in which Brady only played one half so he could rest for the playoffs.
Patriots notes – Believe it or not, New England could still begin their journey to Super Bowl 52 in the wild-card round of the playoffs this year. However, with a win this week and a loss by either the Pittsburgh Steelers or Jacksonville Jaguars, the Patriots would clinch a first-round bye for the upcoming postseason.
Cleveland Browns (0-14) at Chicago Bears (4-10) – 1:00pm ET, CBS
Announcers: Tom McCarthy, Steve Beuerlein – TV Map
Browns notes – Many are talking about how current Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon could be one of the biggest targets in free agency during the upcoming offseason. While Gordon is technically a free agent after this year, he will be what is known as an exclusive rights free agent. Meaning, the Browns could offer Gordon an inexpensive, one-year deal during the offseason and the receiver would be obligated to sign it.
Bears notes – In what has been another disappointing season for Chicago in 2017, one of the team’s few bright spots has been rookie running back Tarik Cohen. With 45 catches this year, Cohen’s reception total is already the second-most ever by a Bears running back in their rookie season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10) at Carolina Panthers (10-4) – 1:00pm ET, FOX
Announcers: Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber – TV Map
Bucs notes – After getting selected by Tampa Bay in the first round of the 2017 draft, tight end O.J. Howard is done for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury. In 14 games this year, the rookie tight end caught 26 passes for 432 yards and six touchdowns.
Panthers notes – With a win on Sunday over the Bucs, Carolina would clinch a spot in the upcoming NFC Playoffs. If they are able to do so, it would be the fourth postseason appearance for the team under head coach Ron Rivera, which would be the most playoff appearances by any head coach in Panthers team history.
Atlanta Falcons (9-5) at New Orleans Saints (10-4) – 1:00pm ET, FOX
Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis – TV Map
Falcons notes – Playing on the road in New Orleans has been tough for Atlanta over the last decade-plus with only three wins in their last 11 trips to the Big Easy. However, if the Falcons are able to come out with a victory against the Saints on Sunday, then they will be playoff-bound for the second straight season.
Saints notes – New Orleans has a great opportunity to capture the NFC South title this weekend for the first time since 2011. With a win over Atlanta on Sunday, the Saints would capture the division and earn their first playoff appearance since 2013.
Denver Broncos (5-9) at Washington Redskins (6-8) – 1:00pm ET, CBS
Announcers: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta – TV Map
Broncos notes – After losing for eight straight weeks, Denver has now won two games in a row. The Broncos recent success has had to do with the team turning the ball over just once in the last two weeks compared to the more than two per matchup they averaged during their eight-game losing streak.
Redskins notes – With a lead over the next player by 20 catches, Washington receiver Jamison Crowder will likely finish the 2017 season as the team’s leading pass-catcher. If he does end up actually ending the year as the Redskins’ leading receiver, he would be the third different player in the team’s past three years to do so.
Los Angeles Rams (10-4) at Tennessee Titans (8-6) – 1:00pm ET, FOX
Announcers: Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston – TV Map
Rams notes – As Los Angeles prepares for its first playoff run since 2004, it will have to be done without their starting kicker. Due to a back injury, the Rams had to place kicker Greg Zuerlein on injured reserve and end his 2017 season. In his place, Los Angeles signed rookie Sam Ficken, who has yet to attempt a field goal in an actual NFL game outside of the preseason.
Titans notes – Two weeks ago, Tennessee was 8-4 and on the path to their first AFC South division title since 2008. Well, the Titans have now lost two straight and their chance of making the playoffs is now in jeopardy. However, if Tennessee can get a win this Sunday and both the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills lose their games, then the Titans will clinch a postseason berth.
Los Angeles Chargers (7-7) at New York Jets (5-9) – 1:00pm ET, CBS
Announcers: Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts – TV Map
Chargers notes – Los Angeles still has a small chance to get into the playoffs this year, but they absolutely need to win both of their final two games for this even have a chance at happening. However, the Chargers need the four 8-6 teams ahead of them in the current AFC playoff picture to also lose their last two matchups of the year. So yeah, the postseason for Los Angeles looks to be a long shot.
Jets notes – With two tough games against the Chargers and the New England Patriots left on their schedule, there seems to be a pretty good chance that New York could finish wth a six wins or less for the third time in the last four seasons. The Jets have not experienced playoff football since 2010, when Tim Tebow was a rookie with the Denver Broncos.
Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) at San Francisco 49ers (4-10) – 4:25pm ET, CBS
Announcers: Andrew Catalon, James Lofton – TV Map
Jaguars notes – After clinching their first playoff spot since 2007 with their win last week, Jacksonville now has their sights set on winning the AFC South for the first time ever. The Jaguars have won a division title (1999 and 1998), but not since the NFL re-aligned the teams into four divisions in 2002. With a win on Sunday, Jacksonville would clinch their very first AFC South division crown.
49ers notes – Having won all three of his starts this year for San Francisco, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will face his toughest test yet when he and the 49ers take on the Jacksonville Jaguars and their top ranked defense this Sunday. The Jaguars have only allowed one opposing signal caller to throw for 300 yards or more this season (Week 5) and Garoppolo is averaging 336 passing yards in his last three games. It looks to be a fun one.
Seattle Seahawks (8-6) at Dallas Cowboys (8-6) – 4:25pm ET, FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman – TV Map
Seahawks notes – Already with 30 touchdown passes this year, Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson needs just five more to set his new career-high for touchdowns passes in a single season. It seems very achievable for Wilson considering he has thrown for nine scores in his last four games and his opponent on Sunday in the Dallas Cowboys have allowed the third-most passing touchdowns to their opponents this season.
Cowboys notes – Still with a slim chance to get into the NFC playoffs, Dallas will get a little more help in their final two games now that running back Ezekiel Elliott has returned from his six-game suspension. Despite Elliott’s absence, the Cowboys have been able to stay in the postseason hunt thanks to winning their last three matchups.
New York Giants (2-12) at Arizona Cardinals (6-8) – 4:25pm ET, FOX
Announcers: Dick Stockton, Mark Schlereth – TV Map
Giants notes – New York is currently in the middle of arguably the worst year of football in the franchise’s history. The Giants have never won less than three times in a 16-game season and the last time the team ended their year with just two victories was back in 1974.
Cardinals notes – After going with Blaine Gabbert as their starting quarterback for the last five weeks, Arizona has decided to switch to Drew Stanton as their starter under center this week against New York. Stanton has started in two games for the Cardinals this season and helped the team get a win in one of them.
Monday, December 25
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) at Houston Texans (4-10) – 4:30pm ET, NBC (NFLN, Amazon Prime)
Announcers: Mike Tirico, Kurt Warner
Steelers notes – It looked like Pittsburgh might possibly be dealt some devastating news when receiver Antonio Brown went down with a leg injury. However, it is being reported that Brown suffered a partially torn calf muscle and should be back on the field for the Steelers come playoff time.
Texans notes – Houston has scored seven points or less in a game three times this season. The last time the Texans accomplished this illustrious feat was in 2013, which also happens to be the last time the team made a head coaching change as well.
Oakland Raiders (6-8) at Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) – 8:30pm ET, ESPN
Announcers: Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden
Raiders notes – After finishing with more than 1,000 receiving yards during his first two NFL seasons, it does not appear as if Oakland wide receiver Amari Cooper will be achieving this once again in 2017. With just 499 yards this year, Cooper needs to average 250.5 receiving yards in his final two games to finish with at least 1,000 this season. Seems possible, right?
Eagles notes – In his first start under center for Philadelphia this year, quarterback Nick Foles delivered an impressive performance last week. Foles completed 63 percent of his passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns. Not bad for a guy making his first NFL start in over a year.