It’s getting hot and heavy in the NFL. We’re heading into NFL Week 16, and with each game, there are playoff ramifications. In fact, after Thursday’s game (Dec. 21), one more NFC North team could be heading to the playoffs. Here’s the NFL Week 16 schedule, key games for playoff contention and how to watch.
What are the must-see games for NFL Week 16?
“Thursday Night Football” with the Los Angeles Rams vs. the New Orleans Saints
The weekend kicks off with a must-see game for “Thursday Night Football.” This week’s Thursday game is between the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints. Both teams are currently 7-7, and both teams want a wild card playoff spot. If the Saints beat the Rams, the Detroit Lions will clinch a playoff spot. What makes the Lions big even more unique is that the Rams’ quarterback is former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. So, Detroit will be rooting for Stafford to fall here, if they want that playoff spot by late Thursday night.
Christmas Eve game with the Cincinnati Bengals vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers
Here’s a game features two AFC North rivals who are truly battling for some life in the playoffs. The Bengals are in a particularly interesting spot, as in the next two weeks, they could either win the AFC North and snag a No. 6 playoff position in the AFC or be totally eliminated from the postseason. Yikes. Both teams will be playing as hard as possible.
Christmas Eve game with the Detroit Lions vs. the Minnesota Vikings
This is the game Detroit Lions fans have been waiting for their whole lives. While it’s possible they’ll head into this game with the Lions already in the playoffs, if the Saints on Thursday, this game would crown them the NFC North champions for the first time in 30 years. That said, if they haven’t made the playoffs by the time this game starts, they’ll instantly be in if they win this game. The Vikings are without Kirk Cousins, but they’re still strong, so this won’t be an easy game. It’s also an away game for the Lions.
What’s the full NFL Week 16 schedule of games? Also, how do you watch NFL Week 16 games?
Thursday, December 21, 2023 Game:
New Orleans @ Los Angeles, 8:15 PM, PRIME VIDEO
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Saturday, December 23, 2023 Games:
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh, 4:30 PM, NBC
Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Buffalo @ Los Angeles, 8:00 PM, Peacock
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve), 2023 Games:
Indianapolis @ Atlanta, 1:00 PM, FOX
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Seattle @ Tennessee, 1:00 PM, CBS
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Detroit @ Minnesota, 1:00 PM, FOX
U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Washington @ New York, 1:00 PM, CBS
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Green Bay @ Carolina, 1:00 PM, FOX
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Cleveland @ Houston, 1:00 PM, CBS
NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Jacksonville @ Tampa Bay, 4:05 PM, CBS
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Arizona @ Chicago, 4:25 PM, FOX
Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Dallas @ Miami, 4:25 PM, FOX
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
New England @ Denver, 8:15 PM, NFL NET
Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Monday, December 25 (Christmas Day), 2023 Games:
Las Vegas @ Kansas City, 1:00 PM, CBS
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
New York @ Philadelphia, 4:30 PM, FOX
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Baltimore @ San Francisco, 8:15 PM, ABC and ESPN+
Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA