Week 16 delivers full-slate chaos. Denver and Los Angeles already clinched, but the NFC West, AFC South and every wild card lane remain unsettled. From Sam Darnold's redemption tour on Thursday night to Philip Rivers dusting off the helmet on Monday, every window packs playoff weight.
Thursday Night Football
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
Thursday, Dec. 19 | 8:15 PM ET | Prime Video
Both teams sit 11-3. The Rams hold the tiebreaker, so a road win effectively seals the NFC West. Seattle needs this to stay alive for the conference's top seed. Matthew Stafford's MVP push meets Sam Darnold's renaissance in the noisiest stadium in football.
Saturday Double-Header
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders
Saturday, Dec. 20 | 5:00 PM ET | FOX
One win clinches the NFC East for Philly. Washington is down Jayden Daniels but would love to mud-wrestle a rival in December. The biggest storyline: can Jalen Hurts and the offense snap out of their mid-season funk-
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Saturday, Dec. 20 | 8:20 PM ET | FOX
Green Bay is 9-4-1 but just lost Micah Parsons to a torn ACL. Chicago has become one of 2025's spoilers and can all but eliminate the Packers with a prime-time win at Soldier Field. Expect a physical, cold-weather slugfest.
Sunday Early Window (1:00 PM ET)
- Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns - CBS. Buffalo can clinch with a win plus help and rides a 21-point comeback high. Cleveland is down but dangerous at home.
- Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys - FOX. The Chargers chase seeding insurance while Dallas clings to faint wild card hopes.
- Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans - CBS. The Chiefs' three-year title run officially ended last week after Patrick Mahomes' ACL tear. Pride game.
- Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins - CBS. Quietly the game of the window. A loss could bounce either contender from the AFC pack.
- New York Jets at New Orleans Saints - FOX. Two franchises evaluating young pieces and coaching futures.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers - FOX. Tampa must keep stacking wins in the NFC South scramble.
- Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans - CBS. Houston can clinch with help; Arizona needs a result to stay in the NFC wild card race.
Sunday Afternoon Slate
Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions
Sunday, Dec. 21 | 4:05 PM ET | CBS
Detroit continues its push for home-field advantage. Pittsburgh, 8-6, has zero wiggle room left in the AFC North logjam.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos
Sunday, Dec. 21 | 4:25 PM ET | CBS
Denver already secured a berth and can clinch the AFC West with a win plus a Chargers loss or tie. Jacksonville needs a victory and help to lock its spot.
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, Dec. 21 | 4:25 PM ET | FOX
Two bubble teams with firepower. Whichever offense finishes drives likely survives another week.
Sunday Night Football
New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens
Sunday, Dec. 21 | 8:20 PM ET | NBC
New England is 11-3 but reeling after blowing a 21-point lead to Buffalo. Baltimore sits 7-7 and needs a prime-time statement to keep pace in the AFC North. Drake Maye versus Lamar Jackson gives this game playoff energy.
Monday Night Football
San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts
Monday, Dec. 22 | 8:15 PM ET | ESPN/ABC
San Francisco is 10-4 and battling for NFC seeding. Indianapolis has crashed to 8-6 and is rolling with 44-year-old Philip Rivers for a second straight start even though Anthony Richardson is cleared. Nostalgia meets desperation on the Lucas Oil turf.
Playoff Math to Know
- Can clinch this week: Bills, Patriots, Jaguars, Chargers, Texans, Seahawks, Eagles, Bears, Packers, 49ers.
- Division watch: Broncos clinch the AFC West with a win plus a Chargers loss or tie; Eagles wrap the NFC East with a win; Rams seize control of the NFC West by sweeping Seattle.
- Already eliminated: Chiefs, Titans and Saints are playing for pride.
The Bottom Line
Week 16 is where separation happens. Thursday's Rams-Seahawks clash sets the tone, Saturday's double-header could lock up two divisions and Monday's Rivers comeback might write the weekend's strangest chapter. Clear your schedule-the bracket will look different by Tuesday.
See you on the other side.
