It's Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season, and we're keeping you updated on all the action and biggest storylines throughout the day. This week's slate has some fantastic matchups and storylines, with most of the games Saturday and three games Christmas Day, and we're here to help you watch it unfold. Check back often to find out everything you need to know.
Week 16 schedule
Thursday
Jaguars 19, Jets 3 (Takeaways)
Saturday
Bengals 22, Patriots 18 (Takeaways)
Vikings 27, Giants 24 (Takeaways)
Ravens 17, Falcons 9 (Recap)
Bills 35, Bears 13 (Recap)
Panthers 37, Lions 23 (Recap)
Texans 19, Titans 14 (Recap)
Saints 17, Browns 10 (Recap)
Chiefs 24, Seahawks 10 (Takeaways)
49ers 37, Commanders 20 (Takeaways)
Cowboys 40, Eagles 34 (Takeaways)
Steelers 13, Raiders 10 (Takeaways)
Sunday
Packers at Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET (Preview)
Broncos at Rams, 4:30 p.m. ET (Preview)
Buccaneers at Cardinals, 8:20 p.m. ET (Preview)
Monday
Chargers at Colts, 8:15 p.m. ET (Preview)
Cowboys hang on!
Thanks to forcing two turnovers and a turnover on downs in the final six minutes, the Cowboys prevented the Eagles from clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC on their home turf. Credit to fifth-round rookie Daron Bland for the interception, and Carlos Watkins and Anthony Barr for forcing and recovering the fumble, respectively, and the entire Dallas defense for forcing Gardner Minshew to throw up a prayer on fourth down that fell incomplete. Big win for Dallas to gain some momentum before playing time.
DaRon Bland took it away from him for the INT!
— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2022
📺: #PHIvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Gd75wOq015 pic.twitter.com/UK3UFzb4bW
The @dallascowboys recover the fumble with great field position!
— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2022
📺: #PHIvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Gd75wOq015 pic.twitter.com/4PWnxwGovc
The @dallascowboys defense gets the 4th down stop! #PHIvsDAL pic.twitter.com/Xck0uiaK1v
— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2022
T.Y.!
Facing third-and-30, Dak Prescott threw one up to the 33-year-old wideout who joined the team 12 days ago. And as he's done his entire career, T.Y. Hilton delivered. The longtime Colts standout just ran past Pro Bowler Darius Slay, then made an incredibly difficult grab with two Eagles in close coverage. It was a 52-yard gain for the first down, which set up the Cowboys' game-tying score.
3rd and 30... FIRST DOWN @dallascowboys
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #PHIvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Gd75wOq015 pic.twitter.com/7alkEGa8qM
DAK TO CEEDEE AGAIN 😱
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #PHIvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Gd75wOq015 pic.twitter.com/xjGOYuBnBV
Minshew mania!
With the 49ers being considered a Super Bowl contender with Brock Purdy, the Eagles would have to be a Super Bowl contender with Gardner Minshew. We'll most likely never find out if Minshew can lead Philadelphia to the promise land because Jalen Hurts' injury is considered minor, but Minshew has handled what's considered a stout Dallas defense. He's completed 19-of-28 passes for 293 yards two touchdowns (both to DeVonta Smith) while adding a score on a quarterback sneak.
DeVonta Smith for the lead! #FlyEaglesFly
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #PHIvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Gd75wOq015 pic.twitter.com/0JrkLQvYiG
Heinicke benched
For the first time since Week 6, Carson Wentz is back on the field after back-to-back turnovers from Taylor Heinicke. 49ers are in full control.
Nick Bosa forces the fumble ➡️ Nick Bosa celebrates 🤷♂️
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #WASvsSF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pK8tdcJuBl pic.twitter.com/j3ZPm8M8B0
No TD, but Jimmie Ward gets the INT!
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #WASvsSF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pK8tdcJuBl pic.twitter.com/zuMtqn81sp
Kittle cannot be stopped
Turns out George Kittle just needed a seventh-round rookie throwing him the rock. The star tight end found the end twice last Thursday against the Seahawks, and he's found pay dirt twice against the Commanders as well. It seemed like no defender wanted to tackle him on this 33-yard catch and run.
Dashing through the end zone (again)! @gkittle46
— San Francisco 49ers - x (@49ers) December 24, 2022
📺 #WASvsSF on CBS
📱 NFL+ https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/h5Hu04usr8
The legend grows
Brock Purdy followed up a mediocre first half with a heck of a drive to open the second half. First he hit Brandon Aiyuk for 13. Then he found George Kittle for 13 more. After four straight runs, Kyle Shanahan once again called the name of his seventh-round rookie quarterback. And after seeing the safety let Kittle behind him, Purdy delivered a strike for the 34-yard score.
Jingle Bell Brock!@brockpurdy13 x @gkittle46
— San Francisco 49ers - x (@49ers) December 24, 2022
📺 #WASvsSF on CBS
📱 NFL+ https://t.co/KTh0i461x9 pic.twitter.com/sXz2V1FRMo
Sensational rookie
If Jahan Dotson didn't miss five games with a hamstring injury, he'd be one of the front-runners for Offensive Rookie of the Year. The No. 16 overall pick out of Penn State has now scored seven touchdowns in 10 NFL games after this four-yard catch, which wouldn't have been possible without his incredible grab on third down earlier in the drive (both plays below):
The juggle and the incredible catch by @jahandotson 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #WASvsSF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pK8tdd0xDl pic.twitter.com/PzgJpMaU0v
The rookie adds another to his TD total 🙌 @jahandotson
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #WASvsSF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pK8tdd0xDl pic.twitter.com/3OkMqTiq4g
Uh uh uhhh picked!
Poor Brock Purdy. He hit Jajuan Jennings in stride on a slant route and Jennings made a complete mess of it. First he bobbled it. Then he full on deflected it with his one hand. Darrick Forrest was right there for the interception that should have been a first-down pickup.
Right into the hands of @_Dfoe5 👀
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #WASvsSF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pK8tdd0xDl pic.twitter.com/xKT2RwhkeI
CeeDee TD
Turns out Dak Prescott took that pick-six personally. The Cowboys star has been ON POINT aside from his one miscue, completing 16 of his 17 other passes for 168 yards and this DIME to CeeDee Lamb, who made a few nice moves to finish off the long touchdown.
💿🐑
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #PHIvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Gd75wO7QMX pic.twitter.com/BpGN1G2G3S
GIMME DAT
That's probably what Jayron Kearse said to Quez Watkins as he jumped through the wide receiver to intercept Gardner Minshew in Eagles territory.
Ridiculous INT by Jayron Kearse 😱
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #PHIvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Gd75wOpsbx pic.twitter.com/MiRtd4yF1u
Ray-Ray goes bye-bye
What a swing in the 49ers-Commanders game. In a defensive showdown, the Commanders went from getting stuffed at the one-yard line to watching Ray-Ray McCloud take the hand-off behind Brock Purdy and follow his blockers all the way for the 71-yard score.
The league's No. 1 defense doing No. 1 defense things #FTTB
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #WASvsSF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pK8tdd0xDl pic.twitter.com/fFQreUVeSR
The exclamation point on a 99-yard drive ‼️@RMIII_34 | #FTTB
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #WASvsSF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pK8tdd0xDl pic.twitter.com/d9rkz6xvsh
Oh no Dak
Dak Prescott has been uncharacteristically sloppy in recent weeks, but this was on another level. He rolled out and basically just threw it right to Josh Sweat from point-blank range, then barely tried to tackle him as he rumbled for the 42-yard touchdown.
Josh didn't even break a sweat
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #PHIvsDAL on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/Gd75wO7QMX pic.twitter.com/8d8nE5rGB6
Texans win!
For the first time since Week 5, the Texans won a game! They should have beaten the Cowboys and nearly beat the Chiefs, but they got it done Sunday against backup rookie quarterback Malik Willis. Here were some of the top moments from the 19-14 triumph (and don't worry, Houston fans: you still have the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft).
Heart + hustle 🫡
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 24, 2022
📺 » @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/Jif0lsM5j3
STRIPPED 😤
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 24, 2022
📺 » @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/3zuhH0e9Ye
Let him cook 👨🍳 @brandincooks
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 24, 2022
📺 » @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/QHdG7eeZ0o
We'll take that 🤝
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 24, 2022
📺 » @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/2qif10H8U3
Bengals survive
The Bengals were up, 12-0, fewer than 10 minutes into the game. That lead swelled to 22-0 before halftime. Then Cincinnati couldn't do anything, and the Patriots, thanks to multiple how-did-that-happen touchdowns, were inside the 10-yard line with a chance to go ahead with a minute left. But with the game on the line, a dominant second-half Bengals defense delivered again, stripping Rhamondre Stevenson to all but clinch the team's seventh straight win.
Chaos in NE! The @Bengals recover the football in the redzone with less than a minute left to play 😯
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #CINvsNE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/12iaSiXlzp pic.twitter.com/tQO9tkgSSx
11-0
The Minnesota Vikings don't lose close games. They just don't. If it's within one possession, just mark it as a win because Kevin O'Connell's team has won 11 of those this season without a loss. Sunday's victory was particularly exciting, as Greg Joseph set the Vikings' franchise record with a game-winning, 61-yard field goal as the clock struck zero. It marked his second straight game-winning field goal, both of which were at least 40 yards.
GREG JOSEPH 61-YARD FIELD GOAL FOR THE WIN! @VIKINGS #NYGvsMIN pic.twitter.com/a7JwsbirRX
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
All tied up!
Aside from an interception from Patrick Paterson, Daniel Jones carved up the Vikings defense Sunday to the tune of 30 of 42 passing (71.4% completion) for 334 yards and one touchdown. But his biggest throw was on the two-point conversion, when he floated a pass to tight end Daniel Bellinger that a Vikings defender JUST missed getting his hands on.
IT'S TIED IN MINNESOTA.
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #NYGvsMIN on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/AJ2krgfBrW pic.twitter.com/HfO7CbVeHw
Fourth down, TD
Absolutely no one was expecting the Giants to run the ball on fourth-and-2 with just over two minutes left to play; that's why it was successful. Taking the hand-off up the middle, Saquon Barkley exploded through the crease and cut outside. Touchdown from 17 yards out.
.@SAQUON BARKLEY ON 4TH DOWN.
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #NYGvsMIN on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/AJ2krgfBrW pic.twitter.com/xdvbHwZ4xd
Patriots miracle TD!
On THIRD-AND-29 and down 10, Mac Jones just threw up a prayer. And a week after being on the wrong side of one of the NFL's wildest plays ever, Jakobi Meyers caught the touchdown of the day off the tipped pass to pull New England even closer.
OMG 😱 MAC JONES. JAKOBI MEYERS. @Patriots
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #CINvsNE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/12iaSiFKaP pic.twitter.com/4dpAjOO4Rx
BLOCKED PUNT
In a game this close, special teams is sometimes the difference. Josh Metellus made the special teams play of the day for the Vikings on Sunday, blocking the punt that set up Justin Jefferson's touchdown in the final minutes.
.@Vikings BLOCK THE PUNT
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #NYGvsMIN on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/AJ2krgfBrW pic.twitter.com/6ViFlKqwd6
Justin Jefferson again. What else can you say?
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #NYGvsMIN on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/AJ2krgfBrW pic.twitter.com/HkwURKP6MH
First-career TD!
It's pretty fitting that Malik Willis' first career TD came on the ground. He flashed his physicality, speed and elusiveness (and ability to let his teammates help him) as an offensive lineman pulled him into the end zone to put the Titans back on top.
First career TD for @malikwillis and it's an ANGRY run 😡
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #HOUvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/n2EvdAYKap pic.twitter.com/JCFHMCeIpj
Mahomes & Kelce domination
The Chiefs were letting the Seahawks hang around, so they turned to old reliable: Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce. First Mahomes found Kelce for 20 yards. Then a 52-yard pickup over the middle. Three plays later, Mahomes decided to do it himself, scrambling around until he found an angle to the pylon and diving for the touchdown.
MAHOMES SELLS OUT FOR THE PYLON
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #SEAvsKC on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/qBUT4jhCGQ pic.twitter.com/x922SgYqsC
Bourne to score
The pick-six began the 22-point comeback, and this Mac Jones touchdown to Kendrick Bourne has continued that pursuit, pulling the Patriots within 10 early in the fourth quarter. Bourne made two huge plays on the drive to give New England life.
Bourne again! Is the comeback on for the @Patriots?! 👀
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #CINvsNE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/12iaSiFKaP pic.twitter.com/hShghaHMwW
The Bourne Identity 🔥 What a grab by @BournePoly11.
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #CINvsNE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/12iaSiFKaP pic.twitter.com/8WcTld0h2h
Cousins -> Hockenson (x2)
The T.J. Hockenson trade has turned out tremendous for the Vikings. The recently named Pro Bowler has played like it Sunday, catching two Kirk Cousins touchdowns to put Minnesota ahead. This catch was particularly pretty with his team in need of a big play on third down.
HOCKENSON. What a grab!@Vikings take the lead!
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #NYGvsMIN on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/AJ2krgfBrW pic.twitter.com/CKHCls11me
Pick-six!
The Patriots have life! Rookie Marcus Jones, who has literally done it all in recent weeks, not only picked off a wobbler from Joe Burrow, but he then sped past everyone down the sideline, made one cut and then continued on his way to the end zone for the 69-yard touchdown.
Patriots PICK SIX! @MarcusJonesocho with a huge steal in NE 😱
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #CINvsNE on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/12iaSiFKaP pic.twitter.com/yvao9pSGGx
Cooking!
It must be refreshing for Bills fans that Josh Allen hasn't had to do everything Saturday. The running backs have carried the load, with rookie James Cook joining Devin Singletary as members of the 25-plus-yard touchdown club.
James Cook touchdown! @BuffaloBills take a 21-10 lead. @thegreat__4
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #BUFvsCHI on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/GpUr7UISpf pic.twitter.com/26bCAucqJC
The Panthers?!
It's a bloodbath in Carolina, but the Panthers are doing just fine. They've put up 31 points on the red-hot Lions in two and a half quarters -- the latest of which came from D.J. Moore on a short pass from Sam Darnold. That was the encore of the duo's 47-yard connection the play before.
THAT SAM & DJ CONNECTION.@StephenCurry30 👀 pic.twitter.com/DDyp8sw4ve
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 24, 2022
Taysom ties it up
The Browns' run defense is terrible. The Saints have Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill. So good on New Orleans to limit Andy Dalton to 11 pass attempts midway through the third quarter. Just run the darn ball and good things will happen. Case and point: Hill's game-tying touchdown scamper.
TAYSOM TOUCHDOWN! 🙌#NOvsCLE | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/oS3pWBmzUm
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 24, 2022
Shot out of a cannon!
There goes Devin Singletary, shooting through the middle, making a defender look silly and then breaking outside as the Bears hopelessly pursued. Bills back on top.
.@MotorSingletary gives the @BuffaloBills the lead for Christmas.
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #BUFvsCHI on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/GpUr7UISpf pic.twitter.com/AYWlRWcXec
Fumble score!
The 1-12-1 Texans deserve some luck, right? After throwing a nice juke on a Titans defender, Davis Mills tried diving between two more defenders near the goal line. He failed miserably, with the ball popping out and into the end zone. Fortunately, Rex Burkhead was right there to recover for the unconventional touchdown.
That's a crazy way to score a TD, but it'll work! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #HOUvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/n2EvdAYKap pic.twitter.com/suQEz9IU28
Derrick Henry OWNS the Texans
If you haven't heard, Derrick Henry LOVES playing the Texans. He has four straight games of more than 200 YARDS versus Houston, and he's only his way to that milestone once again Sunday. Seriously, it looks like Henry is playing the JV team on this 38-yard rumble into the end zone.
38-yard TD for the 👑 @KingHenry_2, and the @Titans take an early lead!
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #HOUvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/n2EvdAYKap pic.twitter.com/KnuR9rnW6u
Ravens in control
When your defense is playing as well as the Ravens' is, you only have to connect on a few offensive plays to have a good chance at a victory. Tyler Huntley and Demarcus Robinson combined to make one of those crucial plays on this six-yard pitch and catch late in the first half.
.@_SNOOP1 ➡️ @Demarcus TOUCHDOWN❗️
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 24, 2022
Tune in on FOX! pic.twitter.com/vyy1mqbp0C
200 yards!
The Lions run defense hasn't been great this season, but it hasn't been close to as awful as its been in the first half Sunday. The Panthers have rushed for 240 yards IN THE FIRST HALF (10.9 yards per carry!) and scored three touchdowns on the ground -- and Detroit is in a 21-7 hole because of it.
A souvenir on Christmas eve 🎁 pic.twitter.com/BEgFwHywkA
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 24, 2022
Made a run for it 👏 pic.twitter.com/EqM3hHAk9H
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 24, 2022
Chiefs' X-factor
If the Chiefs win the Super Bowl this season, Jerick McKinnon will have surely played a big role. He's been tremendous for Kansas City over the past month, catching a touchdown in his fourth straight game to put his team up two scores.
Jerick McKinnon can't stop scoring touchdowns!
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #SEAvsKC on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/qBUT4jhCGQ pic.twitter.com/Xd3IfCLgBT
Deshaun Watson shows off the wheels
The coldest game of a historically cold NFL slate is probably going to be won on the ground, and Deshaun Watson put the Browns ahead in the second quarter by taking the snap, immediately taking off around the left end then high-stepping into the end zone to complete the 12-yard score.
4️⃣ high stepping his way to the endzone
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 24, 2022
📺: #NOvsCLE on CBS
📲: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/9CbGSXhC1u
Justin Jefferson makes history!
By way of his 25-yard catch midway through the first quarter, Justin Jefferson officially rewrote the history books by breaking Randy Moss' single-season receiving record. Moss, who amassed 1,632 yards in 2003, will now have to settle for second as Jefferson continues his historic campaign. He's already got more than 1,650 yards this season -- and there's still two-plus games to play!
Greatest season by a @Vikings WR ever? @JJettas2
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #NYGvsMIN on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/AJ2krgfBrW pic.twitter.com/SscT8GWtwV
Kadarius Toney is BACK
Hampered by a hamstring injury for most of the season, Kadarius Toney returned after a multi-game absence and immediately make his presence felt. On second-and-goal from the eight-yard line, Patrick Mahomes flipped it to Toney on the jet sweep and Toney did the rest, slicing through the defense and into the end zone.
Toney time in KC.
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #SEAvsKC on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/qBUT4jhCGQ pic.twitter.com/fxJtvpsBiO
Da Bears!
The Bears did not look like a 3-11 team on their opening drive versus the Bills. Eight plays, 64 yards and this touchdown pass from Justin Fields to Dante Pettis to surprisingly put Chicago on top.
TD on the opening drive for the @ChicagoBears!
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #BUFvsCHI on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/GpUr7UISpf pic.twitter.com/5nQXJ2hbd2
"We're on to Cincinnati"
That's the classic Bill Belichick line, although he probably would have preferred not to play the red-hot Bengals in a must-win game. Thanks to Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins, Cincinnati began the game with a five-play, 78-yard drive that Higgins capped with the touchdown.
In the endzone early 👏#CINvsNE | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/6zGs2iFUuh
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 24, 2022
Chuba hubba!
Great start to the Panthers thanks to Chuba Hubbard, who ripped off runs of 30 and 35 yards on the opening drive. That led to a goal-to-go situation, where Raheem Blackshear scampered into the end zone to put Carolina on top.
Sam Darnold working the option to perfection
— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
📺: #DETvsCAR on FOX
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/aQ9rhBNPjo pic.twitter.com/NKZxZhSukW
Playoff mainstays in trouble
When you think of the NFL playoffs over the past 20 years, who comes to mind? For the AFC, it's obviously Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. For the NFC, there's Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, who have qualified in 11 of the last 13 seasons.
In fact, in the previous two decades, Brady, Belichick and Rodgers have missed the same postseason exactly once. That was in 2008, when New England failed to qualify despite finishing 11-5 and Green Bay trudged to a 6-10 record.
With three weeks left in the 2022 campaign, there's a chance it happens again.
The Patriots, fresh off one of the most ridiculous ways to lose a game ever, are currently a game behind the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami Dolphins in the AFC wild card race. And their schedule does them absolutely no favors: home vs. Bengals, home vs. Dolphins, away vs. Bills.
Crazy enough, the 7-7 Patriots have had a better season than both Brady and Rodgers. The Bucs, despite being 6-8, lead the putrid NFC South by a game and have a manageable schedule to close out the year. But if they're not careful, either the Atlanta Falcons or Carolina Panthers could beat them and keep Brady out of the playoffs for the first time in 20 years.
Then there's the Packers, who looked completely dead a few weeks ago. Their odds are still slim, but at 6-8 and with a game against the surging Lions in Week 18, would anyone be surprised if the reigning back-to-back MVP snuck his way back into the postseason?
Which brings us to this week. If these teams want to keep their playoff hopes alive, winning this weekend is almost a must. The Patriots are first up, going up against the aforementioned Bengals on Christmas Eve afternoon. Then we'll get Rodgers and Brady with standalone games on Christmas, with the Packers taking on the Dolphins in the first matchup and the Buccaneers playing in Arizona in the nightcap.
Will Santa gift these fan bases a much-needed victory? These franchises haven't exactly been nice this year, but maybe they'll pull out a Christmas miracle as the season comes to a close.