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Home » Blog » NFL Week 16 schedule: 5 best games on the slate

NFL Week 16 schedule: 5 best games on the slate

Matt Verderame NFL

The NFL Week 16 schedule has a litany of terrific games, but these five are the must-watch tilts of the weekend.

5. San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (-5)

No, the game doesn’t mean anything for the 49ers, who have long been out of the race. However, the Cardinals are desperately trying to stay in the playoff picture at 8-6, as they hold onto the final seed. Arizona needs to either win both of its final two games (vs. 49ers, at Rams) or have the Chicago Bears lose once (at Jaguars, vs. Packers).

If Kyler Murray and Co. don’t win, it opens for the door for a hot Bears team to make a late push. The intrigue in the NFC is mostly centered around these two clubs.

4. Miami Dolphins (-3) at Las Vegas Raiders

The Dolphins were able to earn a huge win over the New England Patriots, and now they go across the country for a date with the Raiders. Miami reaches the postseason with two more wins, but it won’t be east. Brian Flores’ group needs to beat a 7-7 Las Vegas team before traveling to Buffalo in Week 17.

As for the Raiders, they’re all but officially eliminated from contention, but they are trying to finish with a winning record for the first time in Jon Gruden’s second stint.

3. Tennessee Titans at Green Bay Packers (-3.5)

Great game on Sunday night. The Packers can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win, while the Titans can clinch the AFC South with a win and a Colts’ loss in Pittsburgh. Furthermore, Tennessee has the tools to beat Green Bay, enjoying a prolific rushing attack behind Derrick Henry and two stud receivers with Corey Davis and A.J. Brown.

It’s going to be a high-scoring affair, as the Titans lack a quality pass rush and are dead last on third downs.

2. Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (-1.5)

This is simple. The Seahawks can win the NFC West with a victory and keep their hold on the No. 3 seed. Heck, should the New Orleans Saints lose to the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas, the Seahawks would move into the second slot.

For the Rams, winning on Sunday means leading the division going into their home date with the Cardinals in Week 17. A loss, and Los Angeles is on the brink.

1. Indianapolis Colts (-1.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers

This game is rife with implications. If the Colts win, they’re a real chance they win the AFC South, and the Steelers end up as a wild card team while the Cleveland Browns take the AFC North. However, a Steelers win wraps up the North, and leaves the Colts vulnerable to missing the playoffs entirely.

And, in frankness, this is about the Steelers. Does the freefall continue?

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