The math could make your head spin. There are enough playoff scenarios at play in the final two weeks of the regular season to fill a row of Christmas stockings. But the top priority for teams hanging by their fingernails onto the edge of the postseason picture is simple: win this weekend. There is still so much that can happen between now and the close of games on New Year’s Eve, and that makes the holiday action over the next two weeks must-see TV. (All games Sunday unless otherwise noted.)
Game of the Week: Falcons (9-5) at Saints (10-4), 11 a.m. Both of these teams — along with the Panthers — are still alive in the race for the NFC South title. Yet, all three are also still battling to secure playoff spots. So the stakes don’t get much higher for a Week 16 game than they’ll be in New Orleans when elite QBs Matt Ryan and square off.
Colts (3-11) at Ravens (8-6), 2:30 p.m., Saturday. Baltimore is currently on the outside looking in as it relates to the AFC’s playoff puzzle, so Saturday afternoon’s game is a must-win for the Ravens. QB Joe Flacco has played his best football of the season the last three weeks and should have his way with Indy’s porous defense.
Vikings (11-3) at Packers (7-7), 6:30 p.m., Saturday. Minnesota could wrap up a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs with a victory over the Packers, who return to backup QB Brett Hundley after ‘ return from a broken clavicle lasted only one week. Vikings QB Case Keenum was nearly perfect (20-of-23 for 236 yards and two TDs) in last week’s win over the Bengals.
Lions (8-6) at Bengals (5-9), 11 a.m. The Lions need two more wins and some help to get back into the postseason. Detroit would be wise to continue targeting big tight end , who has a combined 15 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown in his last two games.
Dolphins (6-8) at Chiefs (8-6), 11 a.m. Kansas City has regained control of its season after a lengthy slide threatened to derail a 5-0 start. The Chiefs can win the AFC West with a victory Sunday, coupled with a loss by the Chargers at the Jets. Miami needs a victory and a bowl full of help to keep its postseason chances alive.
Bills (8-6) at Patriots (11-3), 11 a.m. Buffalo would likely end its 17-year playoff drought with two more victories. But the Bills have struggled mightily against New England QB over the years. In 30 career games against Buffalo, Brady is 27-3 with 68 touchdowns. That includes a 23-3 Patriots victory on Dec. 3.
Browns (0-14) at Bears (4-10), 11 a.m. Chicago rookie QB Mitch Trubisky completed 31-of-46 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown in a 20-10 loss to Detroit last week, but he also through three interceptions. Browns rookie QB DeShone Kizer has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns in seven of his 13 starts. Both young QBs still have plenty to prove in the final two weeks.
Buccaneers (4-10) at Panthers (10-4), 11 a.m. The Panthers missed the playoffs last season, one year after their loss to the Broncos in 50. But they’ll be back in the postseason with a victory over Tampa Bay. Carolina rookie needs just 26 yards from scrimmage Sunday to reach 1,000 for the season.
Rams (10-4) at Titans (8-6), 11 a.m. A disastrous West Coast road trip that included losses to the Cardinals and 49ers has put Tennessee’s playoff hopes in jeopardy. Motivation is easy to find for Los Angeles. A victory Sunday will give the Rams — 4-12 last season — their first NFC West title since 2003.
Chargers (7-7) at Jets (5-9), 11 a.m. The Chargers had won four straight games before slamming back down to earth with a 30-13 loss to the Chiefs. Now QB Philip Rivers and company need a pair of wins and some help to work to make it into the postseason. They are facing a Jets team that has lost two straight and is without starting QB Josh McCown, who was injured against the Broncos.
Jaguars (10-4) at 49ers (4-10), 2:05 p.m. Three starts with starting at quarterback, three victories for the 49ers. The former backup to Tom Brady, acquired in a midseason trade by San Francisco, has been lighting it up for his new team. But now he faces the sack-happy Jaguars, who will clinch the AFC South with a win and a Titans loss.
Seahawks (8-6) at Cowboys (8-6), 2:25 p.m. Both teams enter Week 16 on the outside of the playoff picture, making this something of a win-or-go-home contest. Dallas has a not-so-secret weapon up its sleeve with the return of RB Ezekiel Elliott from a six-game suspension.
Giants (2-12) at Cardinals (6-8), 2:25 p.m. In the two games since his unceremonious Week 13 benching by since-fired coach Ben McAdoo, Giants QB Eli Manning has completed 68-of-103 passes (66 percent) for 662 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. How many NFL teams are watching the veteran’s end-of-season audition closely?
Steelers (11-3) at Texans (4-10), 2:30 p.m., Monday. The Steelers must shake off a heartbreaking, controversial loss to the Patriots — as well as the loss of all-world wide receiver — to stay on track for a first-round bye. If Houston WR DeAndre Hopkins can finish his fifth NFL season with 200 more receiving yards, he’ll already have 6,000 yards in his career.
Raiders (6-8) at Eagles (12-2), 6:30 p.m., Monday. looked to be a capable fill-in for injured QB Carson Wentz during Philadelphia’s victory over the Giants last week, and the Eagles would clinch homefield advantage through the playoffs with a win Sunday against disappointing Oakland.
