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NFL Week 17 Previews – Saturday

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Houston Texans (10-5) at Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chargers -1.5, Total 39.5

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Denver’s win in Kansas City on Christmas night gave the Chargers added incentive to win Saturday night. If Los Angeles loses to Houston, the Broncos are AFC West champions. If the Chargers win, they go to Denver next week with a chance to claim the division — and at least one home game in the playoffs. Justin Herbert threw just three interceptions during the 2024 regular season before topping that total in a miserable playoff performance against the Texans. Houston walloped the visiting Chargers 32-12 in the AFC wild-card round last season, picking off Herbert four times. Los Angeles has won four straight games and seven of eight and clinched a playoff spot when the Indianapolis Colts lost to the San Francisco 49ers. The Texans have won seven straight games and would clinch a playoff berth by beating the Chargers. They are one game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South, thanks in large part to their harassing defense. Houston pass rushers Danielle Hunter (13 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (11.5) are enjoying big seasons.

Baltimore Ravens (7-8) at Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Packers -4.5, Total 40.5

The Packers insist the late-game collapse and overtime loss at Chicago last week won’t dampen their spirit with the NFC North division title still in play. They’re a confirmed playoff participant after the Lions’ loss on Christmas Day at Minnesota and the Bears still have to play at San Francisco, where a loss equates to high stakes in Week 18. For the Packers to stay in that conversation, they’ll have to take care of business against the Ravens. Baltimore is hanging on by a thread in the AFC North and a loss hands the division title to the Steelers. A win kicks open the door to a possible playoff path — through Pittsburgh. Those teams play in Week 18. Quarterback health is a hot topic in the lead-in to this week’s game. Lamar Jackson (back contusion) has been banged up off and on since September. The Packers had their top quarterbacks leave Chicago hurt, but Jordan Love (shoulder/concussion) and Malik Willis (shoulder/illness) practiced Thursday in a limited capacity. Tyler Huntley, who won his only start of the season against the Bears in Week 8, would get the start if Jackson can’t play. After missing practice all week, Jackson is doubtful.

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Pats in Playoffs and “Digg It”

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BALTIMORE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – New England quarterback Drake Maye completed 31 of 44 passes for 380 yards and two touchdowns as the Patriots improved their road record to 7-0 by beating the Baltimore Ravens 28-24 on Sunday night. In doing so, New England clinched a spot in the NFL’s AFC Playoffs.

New England (12-3) trailed 24-21 until Rhamondre Stevenson scored on a 21-yard run and Andy Borregales kicked the extra point with 2:07 to play. The Patriots recovered a Baltimore fumble on the second play of the ensuing drive and ran out the clock.

Derrick Henry rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries for the Ravens (7-8).

New England’s Stefon Diggs had nine receptions for 138 yards.

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The Ravens played most of the night without quarterback Lamar Jackson, who left the game because of a back injury with 1:16 remaining in the first half and did not return. Backup QB Tyler Huntley was 9-of-10 passing for 65 yards.

New England running back TreVeyon Henderson also missed the second half with a head injury.

The Ravens struck first on Henry’s 21-yard touchdown run with 12:21 left in the first quarter. It was the 10th opening-drive score the Patriots have allowed this season — tied for most in the NFL — and the seventh time they’ve given up a touchdown on their opponents’ first drive.

It was 7-7 after Maye tossed a 1-yard TD pass to Hunter Henry and Borregales kicked the PAT with 11:17 remaining in the second quarter.

Borregales put the Patriots up 10-7 on a 45-yard field goal with 5:39 left in the first half. Baltimore tied the game on Tyler Loop’s 36-yard field goal with 1:03 remaining in the second quarter for 10-10 at halftime.

Borregales kicked a 41-yard field goal to give New England a 13-10 advantage, but Zay Flowers regained the lead for the Ravens with an 18-yard TD run. The PAT put Baltimore in front 17-13 with 4:35 left in the third.

Henry’s second TD run came from 2 yards away with 12:50 to play in regulation. Loop’s PAT gave the Ravens a 24-13 advantage.

New England answered with a 37-yard TD pass from Maye to Kyle Williams, and was within 24-21 after Maye completed a pass to Stevenson for the two-point conversion with 9:01 remaining in the fourth.

–Field Level Media

NFL Week 16: 1pm Game Previews

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Buffalo Bills (10-4) at Cleveland Browns (3-11)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bills -10.5, Total 41.5
Series Rewind: The Browns have the 13-10 edge all-time (counting playoffs), but Buffalo has won three of the past four and five of seven in the series. However, it’s been since 2012 that the Bills won in Cleveland, falling short there in 2013 and 2019.

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The Bills have at least 10 wins for the seventh straight season, the longest streak in franchise history. Next in their sights is seven straight years with a playoff trip; the Bills need one more win along with a loss by either Houston or Indianapolis in order to punch their ticket. Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen leads the league’s top rushing offense (158.5 yards per game) and third-best scoring offense (29.4 ppg), as he has totaled 37 touchdowns to this point, 25 passing and 12 rushing. Dawson Knox had two touchdown receptions in last week’s crucial win over AFC East leader New England, and he could see additional playing time if fellow tight end Dalton Kincaid is hindered by his knee injury. Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders will face a tall task in challenging the Bills, who boast the second-stingiest passing defense (169.5 yards per game) in the NFL. Sanders’ fifth career game and fourth start was his worst so far, with 177 yards and three picks in last week’s 31-3 loss at Chicago. The Browns are not playoff-bound, but one storyline worth watching is Myles Garrett’s shot at breaking the single-season sacks record. He collected 1.5 sacks last week to boost his season total to 21.5, one shy of the record shared by Michael Strahan (in 2001) and T.J. Watt (in 2021).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) at Carolina Panthers (7-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Buccaneers -3, Total 48.5
Series Rewind: The Buccaneers walloped Carolina 48-14 last December and swept the 2024 season series to run their dominance in the series to nine wins in the past 10 games.

Since the start of the 2021 season, the Buccaneers can claim ownership of the South, holding at least a share of the division lead for 73 of the 87 weeks with four consecutive division titles. Carolina last won the division in 2015 but the Panthers share first place in the NFC South, matching Tampa Bay’s current 7-7 record with three weeks — and two games against the Buccaneers — left in the regular season. “We’re in the same position we’ve been in the past two or three years,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said of a tight race. “We have an opportunity. We still have everything right in front of us. … We’re playing meaningful games in December.” The Panthers might be early arrivals to the postseason conversation under second-year coach Dave Canales. Wins over NFC contenders — most recently beating the Los Angeles Rams, 31-28, on Nov. 30 — has helped shift the narrative. Canales and the Panthers are well aware of the final step necessary to realize a postseason goal: beat the division champs. The Buccaneers have won five consecutive meetings and during their 9-1 string over the past five years, Tampa outscored Carolina by 124 points (287-163). The Buccaneers have won only once since October, so their 1-5 record coming down the stretch has been troublesome. They’ve lost to NFC South rivals New Orleans and Atlanta in their past two games. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield, a former Panther, was coached by Canales in Tampa before the Panthers hired him away in 2024. Mayfield should have a nice selection of weapons to work with after last week’s return of wide receiver Mike Evans. Coming back from a collarbone injury, Evans hauled in six catches for 132 yards in the Atlanta game and already had the Panthers’ full attention.

Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) at Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Cowboys -1.5, Total 49.5
Series Rewind: The Chargers have won their past three road games in the series. Their last road loss against Dallas came in 1990 when the Cowboys played in Irving.

The Cowboys must win their three remaining regular-season games and have the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles lose all three of theirs to avoid missing the playoffs for the second straight season. The outlook isn’t looking good after Dallas allowed 78 total points while losing back-to-back games to the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. Dak Prescott leads the NFL with 3,931 passing yards while closing in on his fourth career 4,000-yard campaign. Tony Romo is the only Cowboys quarterback currently with four such seasons. Prescott ranks third with 26 touchdown passes, and he has been intercepted 10 times. Wideout CeeDee Lamb is 24 yards shy of his fifth straight 1,000-yard season. The Chargers are red-hot with six wins in their past seven games. Los Angeles can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Cowboys along with some help from either the Las Vegas Raiders (against the Houston Texans) or San Francisco 49ers (vs. the Indianapolis Colts). The Chargers allowed just 239 yards in last week’s 16-13 road win over the Kansas City Chiefs. It marked the third straight game and sixth in the past seven that the Chargers gave up 20 or fewer points. Justin Herbert (3,191 yards) will play for the third straight week after undergoing left hand surgery.

Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) at Tennessee Titans (2-12)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chiefs -3, Total 37.5
Series Rewind: Andy Reid is 3-9 all-time against the Titans. Tennessee interim head coach Mike McCoy is 2-6 all-time against the Chiefs.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid isn’t in a tinsel-tossing mood days after losing Patrick Mahomes to a season-ending knee injury last Sunday. While Mahomes gets busy attacking post-surgery rehabilitation with a goal of getting on the field in September, the Titans are eager for any advantage to help further rookie QB Cam Ward’s development. Tennessee has been outscored by a league-worst 169 points with 24 fewer touchdowns than its opponents. The Chiefs have a three-game losing streak and lug the emotional letdown of losing Mahomes and what was left of faint playoff hopes last week in a 16-13 heartbreaker to the Chargers. Gardner Minshew takes the reins for the Chiefs with questions around the formation due to injuries at the wide receiver position. He went to TE Travis Kelce consistently in his cameo subbing for Mahomes last week. Kelce is 203 yards shy of 1,000 yards for the season and 13 receptions away from hitting 80 for the 10th year in a row. The Titans have their highest two-game point total of the season — 55. Kansas City put up 23 total points the past two weeks and was held under 275 total yards by the Chargers and Texans.

Minnesota Vikings (6-8) at New York Giants (2-12)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Vikings -2.5, Total 43.5
Series Rewind: What a difference a year makes. Minnesota opened the 2024 season with a 28-6 win against the Giants at MetLife Stadium when the starting QBs were Sam Darnold (Vikings) and Daniel Jones (New York).

A couple of 22-year-old quarterbacks go head-to-head as Minnesota’s J.J. McCarthy makes his ninth NFL start and New York’s Jaxson Dart makes his 10th. The Vikings have followed up a four-game losing streak with two straight wins against the NFC East, with McCarthy throwing five touchdowns and just one interception in victories against the Commanders and Cowboys. The Giants have lost eight in a row and are 0-2 against the NFC North with losses to the Bears and Packers. Dart leads all rookie QBs in TD passes (13) and ranks second in passing yards (1,802). Vikings star Justin Jefferson hasn’t caught a touchdown pass since Week 9 and hasn’t topped 100 yards since Week 5. New York first-round pick LB Abdul Carter is coming off a monster game vs. Washington and is looking for his third straight game with a sack. Giants LB Brian Burns is second in the NFL with 13 sacks. McCarthy has been sacked 24 times in eight games.

Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) at Miami Dolphins (6-8)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bengals -4.5, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: The Dolphins lead the all-time series 18-8, but the Bengals won the most recent game in the series (27-15 in 2022) and have won three of the past five over Miami.

While Cincinnati and Miami were both eliminated from playoff contention with their losses last week, they’re approaching that news in vastly different ways. The Dolphins are benching starting QB Tua Tagavailoa, who has a league-leading 15 interceptions and had just 65 passing yards through three quarters of Monday’s 28-15 loss at Pittsburgh. Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round pick in April’s draft, will make his first career start against the Bengals. He came off the bench to complete 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards in his first career appearance Oct. 19 at Cleveland. He’ll likely be helped by breakout running back De’Von Achane, who has 105-plus scrimmage yards in six straight games and a touchdown in 10 of his last 11 home games. The Bengals, on the other hand, are sticking with quarterback Joe Burrow despite not having any remaining postseason stakes. Cincinnati was shut out for the first time in a Burrow start last week, falling 24-0 at home to the Ravens. In his first three starts back from a toe injury that sidelined him for nine games, Burrow has 770 passing yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. With 132 yards last week, receiver Ja’Marr Chase became just the second player in NFL history (along with Randy Moss) to amass 6,500 receiving yards and 50 touchdown catches in his first five seasons.

New York Jets (3-11) at New Orleans Saints (4-10)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Saints -5.5, Total 40.5
Series Rewind: These teams have faced off just five times in the past 20 years. New Orleans has won four of those games, including the past two, to claim an 8-6 lead in the all-time series.

While both New York and New Orleans are nearing the end of underwhelming seasons, they probably feel a bit differently about the rookie quarterbacks they’ll start in this week’s matchup. Saints second-round pick Tyler Shough enters coming off back-to-back wins over division opponents, the team’s first multiple-game winning streak of the season. After rushing for 55 yards and two scores Dec. 7 vs. Tampa Bay, Shough completed a career-high 75% of his passes for 272 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 20-17 win over Carolina. New Orleans is 3-4 when Shough starts after it was 1-6 with Spencer Rattler at the helm. With 52 more receiving yards, Saints running back Alvin Kamara would become the fifth player in NFL history with 5,000 rushing and receiving yards in his career. Jets rookie QB Brady Cook has been forced into action due to injuries to Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields. He had a touchdown and three interceptions in his first career start last week vs. Jacksonville and has thrown 339 yards and five interceptions in his first two games. Jets coach Aaron Glenn fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks this week after the defense allowed 48 points in the loss to the Jaguars. New York is 30th in scoring defense (28.4 points per game) and last in takeaways (three), with no interceptions this season.

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NFL Week 16: Late Game Previews

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Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) at Denver Broncos (12-2)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Broncos -3.5, Total 46.5
Series Rewind: The Broncos have won four of the past five games to take an 8-6 lead in the series. The road team has won the past four times Denver and Jacksonville faced off.

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The Broncos became the first AFC team to punch their playoff ticket with last week’s 34-26 win over Green Bay, their 11th straight to tie the franchise record. Things don’t get easier from here with a Jacksonville team that has won five straight games coming to town this week. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw a career-high five touchdowns and ran for a sixth in last week’s 48-20 beatdown of the Jets. After he had 11 interceptions in the first 11 games of the season, Lawrence has nine TDs and no picks in the past three games. Jacksonville has scored 35-plus points in three of its last five games. While the Jaguars have a one-game cushion in the AFC South, Denver has a one-game cushion in the race for the AFC No. 1 seed with its win last week paired with New England’s loss to Buffalo. Broncos QB Bo Nix tied his career high with four touchdowns last week, as Denver outscored the Packers 20-3 over the final 25 minutes of the game. The Broncos’ defense leads the league with 58 sacks, 10 more than any other team and just off the pace of breaking the Bears’ NFL record of 72 sacks in 1984. Jacksonville’s defense had three interceptions last week to bring its season tally to 18, second in the league.

Atlanta Falcons (5-9) at Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Falcons -2.5, Total 47.5
Series Rewind: The Falcons are 1-9 in the desert, including a wild-card playoff loss in the 2008 season. Since the Cardinals left St. Louis in 1988, Atlanta’s lone win at Arizona was a 34-14 victory on Sept. 30, 2001.

Arizona is on a six-game losing streak and hasn’t won a home game since Week 2 against the Panthers. Atlanta has won two of its last three road games, including a 29-28 win at Tampa Bay in Week 15. Both teams are playing out the string with backup quarterbacks, with 37-year-old Kirk Cousins leading the Falcons against journeyman Jacoby Brissett and the Cardinals. Cousins turned back the clock with a season-high 373 yards and three TDs against the Bucs, while Brissett leads the NFL with 2,708 passing yards since replacing Kyler Murray in Week 6. Bijan Robinson has been a bright spot for Atlanta, leading the NFL with 1,858 yards from scrimmage, and TE Kyle Pitts is coming off an epic 11-catch, 166-yard, three-touchdown game at Tampa. Cardinals counterpart Trey McBride just became the first tight end in NFL history with back-to-back 100-catch seasons. Falcons edge James Pearce has recorded a sack in six straight games, two shy of the NFL rookie record (Jevon Kearse, 1999).

Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) at Houston Texans (9-5)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Texans -14.5, Total 37.5
Series Rewind: The Raiders routed Houston 38-20 in 2022 when they had Derek Carr (241 passing yards, one TD), Josh Jacobs (143 rushing yards, three TDs) and Davante Adams (eight catches, 95 yards) on the roster.

The Texans are currently in possession of the final AFC wild-card spot but have their eyes on overtaking the Jacksonville Jaguars and winning the AFC South. Houston has rattled off six straight wins and registered a season high for points last week with a 40-20 rout of the Arizona Cardinals. C.J. Stroud passed for 260 yards and three touchdowns with Nico Collins collecting two of the scoring receptions. The Texans also have allowed 20 or fewer points in five straight games behind the best all-around defense in the NFL. Defensive ends Danielle Hunter (12 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (10.5) are each enjoying big campaigns. The Raiders have been big disappointments in Pete Carroll’s first season as coach and are tied with the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants for the league’s worst record. Las Vegas has dropped eight consecutive games, twice losing 31-0, first to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 and to the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. Kenny Pickett passed for just 64 yards and the Raiders had just 75 total yards and seven first downs. Rookie Ashton Jeanty has rushing outputs of 31, 30 and 35 yards over the past three games. Linebacker Devin White (149 tackles) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (10 sacks) have been shining standouts during the dismal campaign.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) at Detroit Lions (8-6)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Lions -6.5, Total 51.5
Series Rewind: The Steelers have won five of the past six meetings, but the most recent game in 2021 went to overtime and ended in a 16-16 tie.

The rapid release of Rams veteran QB Matthew Stafford stunted the Lions’ pass rush last week, prompting similar concerns for head coach Dan Campbell as the Lions hit Week 16 knowing there’s only one possible way into the postseason: win three consecutive games and hope for chaos to strike the seven teams ahead of them in the NFC playoff picture. Both coaches referenced expectations for a physical game won in the trenches this week. The Lions put up 34 points in a loss to the Rams last week and there’s as much power as there is pomp in the Detroit scheme. Pittsburgh gears up for Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who has 1,100 rushing yards, 494 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns in 2025. The Lions average 131.1 yards per game on the ground and the Steelers are giving up 120.9 rushing yards per game as part of the league’s 28th-ranked defense in total yards allowed (383.3 per game). Aaron Rodgers and his snappy delivery make pressuring the pocket a long day’s work but Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson leads the NFL in pressures. He’s getting help from a group he dubbed “castoffs,” which includes the team’s leader in catches, No. 2 running back Kenneth Gainwell. The Steelers are likely to emphasize Jaylen Warren and Gainwell due to the balance they can bring an inconsistent offense. Gainwell had 126 yards from scrimmage Monday in the Steelers’ win over the Miami Dolphins on Monday.

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NFL SNF: Patriots at Ravens

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New England Patriots (11-3) at Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Ravens -3, Total 48.5
Series Rewind: The teams have split the past eight meetings after the Patriots won seven of the first eight (including playoffs).

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The Patriots are 6-0 on the road this season and stand one game behind the Denver Broncos in the battle for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. New England will know when it takes the field Sunday night whether it can clinch a playoff spot with a win. Results involving the Indianapolis Colts (vs. San Francisco 49ers) and Houston Texans (vs. Las Vegas Raiders) are in play. Drake Maye passed for a season-low 155 yards in last week’s 35-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The setback ended a 10-game winning streak. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson rushed for 148 yards — one more than his previous high — and two touchdowns. Baltimore is two games behind the Texans in the wild-card chase so its best bet to reach the playoffs is overtaking the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North. Baltimore is one game behind but will play at Pittsburgh in the final week of the season. The Ravens halted a two-game losing streak with a strong 24-0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last week. The Bengals had clobbered Baltimore 17 days earlier. Derrick Henry rushed for 100 yards on just 11 carries and ranks fifth in the NFL with 1,125 yards. Linebacker Roquan Smith racked up 14 tackles and leads the squad with 114.

–Field Level Media

Pats Try to Avoid Back-to-Back Losses

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BALTIMORE – (Wire Service Report) – The New England Patriots will be looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season and remain in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs when they visit the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night.

The Patriots (11-3) are coming off last Sunday’s 35-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Denver (12-2) is the only AFC team with a better record than New England, but the Broncos own the tiebreaker against the Patriots if the teams finish with the same record.

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New England would clinch a playoff berth with a win. Coach Mike Vrabel was asked Wednesday if a team can benefit from a late-season loss.

“I would say that’s TBD,” Vrabel said. “I don’t know. It’s only depending on how you respond, how you prepare, how you practice and ultimately how you play. So, we’ll see. There’s a lot of good things in there and we’ll need all those things on Sunday night against this football team that’s 6-2 after their bye, and really coming off a big win last week. A dominant win.”

The Ravens (7-7) ended a two-game losing streak by beating Cincinnati 24-0 last Sunday. Baltimore, however, will likely need a strong finish to earn a playoff berth.

If the Ravens win their final three regular-season games (New England, at Green Bay and at Pittsburgh), they will win the AFC North, although there are other scenarios in which Baltimore can qualify for the playoffs.

“You just assume that you have to take care of your business,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “It would be a stretch for us not to have to win out. So, we’ll plan on that and that’s what we’re going to have to try to do.”

New England is 6-0 on the road this season and will be facing a Baltimore team that’s 3-5 at home. The Ravens were without quarterback Lamar Jackson for home losses to Houston (44-10) and the Los Angeles Rams (7-3) in early October because of a hamstring injury.

“The Houston game was probably our worst home game that I can ever remember, (but) our guys were fighting their butts off — the guys that were out there playing, who were playing in the game,” Harbaugh said. “That game is what it was. The Rams game is what it was. Guys are fighting their butts off in that game, too. So, those games are history.”

New England ranks seventh among NFL teams in both scoring offense (27.3) and scoring defense (19.7). Baltimore is 14th in scoring offense (23.9) and 15th in scoring defense (22.8).

“Obviously, someone is coming into our house,” Baltimore center Tyler Linderbaum said. “We have to win games. We have to put on a show for our crowd and end up getting wins like how we’re supposed to.”

Jackson (illness) is one of six Ravens who didn’t participate in practice Wednesday. Linebacker Roquan Smith (knee), linebacker Kyle Van Noy (quadriceps) linebacker Teddye Buchanan (knee), tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee/ankle) and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (foot) are the others.

Five Patriots did not participate in practice Wednesday: cornerback Carlton Davis (hip), cornerback Marcus Jones (knee), linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle), linebacker Harold Landry (knee) and linebacker Christian Ellliss (illness). Defensive tackle Christian Barmore was listed as a limited participant on the team’s participation report, but his situation is non-injury related.

–Field Level Media

NFL: Thursday Night Football Preview

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SEATTLE – (Wire Service Report) – The NFL’s week 16 kicks-off with one of the biggest games of the 2025 regular season, and one chock full of playoff ramifications when the Los Angeles Rams visit the Seahawks in the Emerald City on Thursday night. The NFC West rivals enter with identical 11-3 records atop the conference. The Seahawks have won four consecutive games since a Week 11 loss at the Rams. That victory has Los Angeles atop the NFC standings, with Seattle currently in the top wild-card spot.

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A win on Thursday night very well could propel the Rams to the division title and home-field advantage in the NFC. A loss, and Los Angeles risks going on the road throughout its playoff run. And whichever team loses risks falling into a tie with 10-4 San Francisco, which plays at Indianapolis on Monday night.

ODDS AND TRENDS
The Seahawks are a consensus 1.5-point favorite at home. The line has held steady this week at BetMGM, where the Rams have been backed by 64% of the total spread-line bets and 59% of the money.

Los Angeles’ moneyline has also been popular, drawing 67% and 57% of the action, respectively, while shifting from -115 to +105.

The total points line of 42 is down significantly from opening at 45.5, due in large part to the unknown status of Rams wide receiver Davante Adams. The Over has been backed by 61% of the money.

PLAYER PROPS
–Rams TE Terrance Ferguson Over 19.5 Receiving Yards (-115 at BetMGM): Ferguson figures to be one of the beneficiaries of Adams being doubtful to play due to a hamstring injury. This has been the most popular Rams-based player prop at the book, even though the rookie has only one catch for 6 yards over his past five games. Ferguson has six catches for 144 yards and one touchdown on the season.

–Seahawks QB Sam Darnold 200+ Passing Yards (-223 at DraftKings): This has been the most popular player prop at the book with Darnold topping 200 passing yards in 11 of his past 13 games. He threw for 279 in the first matchup, but also was picked off four times. Seattle’s offense failed to score a touchdown last week and has struggled in the first half much of the season. If you’re looking for a bigger potential pay out, Darnold is -125 to throw for 220+ and +133 to throw for 240+ yards.

INSIDE EDGE
Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is known for his play-action passing game. However, Seattle ranks third-worst in the NFL with a success rate of just 39.3% on plays with motion this season, according to Inside Edge’s Remarkable engine.

KEY STATS
–Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford leads the NFL with a passer rating of 126.2 on passes to the right side of the field this season.

–Seattle’s defense ranks second in the league in opponents’ scoring, allowing just 17.3 points per game.

INJURY REPORT
Rams coach Sean McVay said he likely would wait until game time to make a decision on Adams, who aggravated the injury while running a deep route on Sunday in Los Angeles’ 41-34 victory against visiting Detroit.

“I’m not ruling anyone out,” McVay said Tuesday. “He just got his hamstring. He felt it a little bit, and it’s something he’s been dealing with, and he’s as tough as it gets. Want to be able to see what it looks like with the time we have.”

Adams has twice previously dealt with hamstring issues this season, his first with the Rams. He has 60 catches for 789 yards.

Rams defensive end Braden Fiske (ankle) is listed as questionable.

Stafford is a leading MVP contender with a league-leading 37 touchdown passes and 3,722 yards through the air, second only to the 3,931 of the Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott.

Seahawks left tackle Charles Cross, who sustained a hamstring injury on Jason Myers’ game-winning kick Sunday, was ruled out of the contest on Wednesday.

“We’re just trying to gather the info right now, exhausting all options to see how fast we can get him back,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said of Cross.

FLUTTERING HAWKS
While the Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with 1,541 receiving yards, the rest of the offense has stalled. Seattle’s offense has scored just six first-half points in each of its past three games (not counting an interception return for a TD).

The Seahawks likely will need more than that against a Rams team that has scored 40-plus points in each of its past two contests.

“We just need to get together and understand the game plan and execute at the end of the day,” Smith-Njigba said. “And I’ll leave it at that.”

Seattle managed a season-low 50 rushing yards against the Colts, with Kenneth Walker III totaling just 17 yards on nine attempts.

“We didn’t run it the way we wanted to,” Macdonald said. “It’s kind of a little bit of everything right now. A little bit late in the year to be saying that. So, I mean, we got to pick it up, really, on all fronts.”

“What a crazy week to be playing on a Thursday,” McVay said. “This is a good challenge. … It’s a blessing to be able to play in meaningful games this late in the season.” –McVay, who admitted he hasn’t gotten much sleep this week after his wife Veronika gave birth to son Christian Alexander McVay on Monday morning.

PREDICTION
Seattle’s offensive line already was struggling before losing Darnold’s stalwart blind-side protector for this game. Minus Cross, the Seahawks will continue to struggle running the ball and Darnold will be prone to the types of poor decisions under duress that put Seattle in a 14-3 hole in the first meeting. –Rams 23, Seahawks 20

–Field Level Media

NFL Week 16: Playoff Positioning

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NEW YORK – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Denver was the first AFC team to clinch a playoff spot and the Broncos have their sights set on the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage.

The Broncos (12-2) would need almost everything to break their way in Week 16 to secure the West division title and a first-round bye in the AFC: beat Jacksonville (10-4), a loss by the Patriots and a loss or tie by the Chargers and Bills. They’ll be AFC West champs for the first time since 2015 with a win or tie against the Jaguars and a loss or tie by the Chargers (10-4).

Should the Jaguars win in Denver, not only does Jacksonville clinch a playoff spot, but everything in the conference becomes a shade more interesting. It keeps the Chargers alive in the division race and kicks the door open to multiple teams for the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

The Chargers clinch a playoff spot with a victory at Dallas, which would also put the Eagles in the playoffs as NFC East champs.

Angling for the NFC West crown and a leg up in the conference race for home field, the Rams (11-3) clinched a playoff spot last week. But if Los Angeles loses at Seattle (11-3) on Thursday night, the Rams can still end up on the road for the wild-card playoffs. San Francisco (10-4), very much alive in the division race, closes Week 16 at Indianapolis (8-6) with a clear picture of what’s at stake in the grand landscape of the postseason. A Lions’ loss on Sunday punches the 49ers’ ticket to the playoffs. If Detroit wins, the 49ers can still clinch by beating the Colts on “Monday Night Football.”

Philadelphia can clinch the division with a win at any point in the final three weeks, starting Sunday against the Washington Commanders (4-10). The Eagles play the Commanders again on Jan. 4.

The Bears (10-4) and Packers (9-4-1) have their own clinching scenarios predicated on the Lions losing on Sunday. But first the NFC North rivals play in primetime Saturday night in Chicago, where the winner would be sitting pretty. A Packers win gives Green Bay a season sweep of the Bears while dealing Chicago a fifth loss. Beating the Packers pushes the Bears a game and a half up in the win column in the division with two to play.

It’s shakeout week in the NFC South, too. The Panthers (7-7) draw the Buccaneers (7-7) in Charlotte with the division lead on the line.

Here’s the full playoff picture entering Week 16 and the clinching scenarios in play beginning Thursday night:

AFC
–Division Leaders
1. Denver Broncos
AFC West
12-2 overall
7-2 vs. AFC
Up Next: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday)

Clinched playoff berth last week

Broncos clinch AFC West division title and the AFC’s No. 1 seed, lone first-round bye and home-field advantage with:

DEN win + LAC loss or tie + NE loss + BUF loss or tie

Denver clinches AFC West division title with:

DEN win + LAC loss or tie OR
DEN tie + LAC loss

2. New England Patriots
AFC East
11-3 overall
6-3 vs. AFC
Up Next: at Baltimore Ravens (Sunday night)

Patriots clinch playoff berth with:

NE win or tie OR
IND loss or tie OR
HOU loss or tie

3. Jacksonville Jaguars
AFC South
10-4 overall
7-2 vs. AFC
Up Next: at Denver Broncos (Sunday)

Jaguars clinch playoff berth with:

JAX win + IND loss or tie OR
JAX win + HOU loss or tie OR
JAX tie + IND loss OR
JAX tie + IND tie + HOU loss

4. Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC North
8-6 overall
7-3 vs. AFC
Up Next: at Detroit Lions (Sunday)

–Wild-card leaders

5. Los Angeles Chargers
10-4 overall
8-2 vs. AFC
Up Next: at Dallas Cowboys (Sunday)

Chargers clinch playoff berth with:

LAC win + IND loss or tie OR
LAC win + HOU loss or tie OR
LAC tie + IND loss OR
LAC tie + IND tie + HOU loss

6. Buffalo Bills
10-4 overall
7-3 vs. AFC
Up Next: at Cleveland Browns (Sunday)

Bills clinch playoff berth with:

BUF win + IND loss or tie OR
BUF win + HOU loss or tie OR
BUF tie + IND loss OR
BUF tie + HOU loss

7. Houston Texans
9-5 overall
7-2 vs. AFC
Up Next: vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday)

–In The Hunt
8. Indianapolis Colts
8-6 overall
6-4 vs. AFC
Up Next: vs. San Francisco 49ers (Monday)

9. Baltimore Ravens
7-7 overall
5-5 vs. AFC
Up Next: vs. New England Patriots (Sunday night)

NFC
–Division Leaders
1. Los Angeles Rams
NFC West
11-3 overall
6-3 vs. NFC
Up Next: at Seattle Seahawks (Thursday)

Clinched NFC playoff berth last week.

2. Chicago Bears
NFC North
10-4 overall
6-3 vs. NFC
Up Next: vs. Green Bay Packers (Saturday)

Bears clinch playoff berth with:

CHI win + DET loss or tie OR
CHI tie + DET loss

3. Philadelphia Eagles
NFC East
9-5 overall
7-3 vs. NFC
Up Next: at Washington Commanders (Saturday)

Eagles clinch NFC East division title and playoff berth with:

PHI win OR
DAL loss OR
PHI tie + DAL tie

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC South
7-7 overall
5-5 vs. NFC
Up Next: at Carolina Panthers (Sunday)

–Wild-card leaders

5. Seattle Seahawks
11-3 overall
6-3 vs. NFC
Up Next: vs. Los Angeles Rams (Thursday)

Seahawks clinch playoff berth with:

SEA win or tie OR
DET loss or tie

6. San Francisco 49ers
10-4 overall
8-2 vs. NFC
Up Next: at Indianapolis Colts (Monday)

49ers clinch playoff berth with:

SF win OR
DET loss OR
SF tie + DET tie

7. Green Bay Packers
9-4-1 overall
7-2-1 vs. NFC
Up Next: at Chicago Bears (Saturday)

Packers clinch playoff berth with:

GB win + DET loss or tie OR
GB tie + DET loss

–In The Hunt
8. Detroit Lions
8-6 overall
5-5 vs. NFC
Up Next: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday)

9. Carolina Panthers
7-7 overall
5-4 vs. NFC
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday)

10. Dallas Cowboys
6-7-1 overall
3-6-1 vs. NFC
vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday)

–Field Level Media

NFL Monday Night Football: Preview

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MIAMI GARDENS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Pittsburgh Steelers and visiting Miami Dolphins each are working to improve their chances of making the playoffs as they prepare to clash on Monday night. The Dolphins (6-7) are riding a four-game winning streak and need to extend that run to keep their slim playoff hopes intact.

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The Steelers (7-6) hold first place in the AFC North and are ahead of the Ravens by a half-game after ending a two-game losing skid with a 27-22 win at Baltimore last week. Pittsburgh also faces pressure to keep winning since its best route to the postseason is to win the division.

ODDS AND TRENDS
Pittsburgh is a consensus 3.0-point favorite, essentially due to being at home where the game-time temperature is expected to be in the teens. The Steelers have been backed by 62% of the spread-line money at BetRivers, where Pittsburgh’s -180 moneyline to win the game outright has drawn 83% of the money.

The 42.0 total points line has seen the Over backed by 67% of the total bets while the Under has drawn 76% of the money. Each of the Steelers’ past eight home games against AFC teams have gone Under the total points line, according to the book.

KEY STAT
Pittsburgh has won 22 of its past 23 Monday night home games.

PLAYER PROPS
–Dolphins RB De’Von Achane 80+ Rushing Yards (-128 at DraftKings): Achane will play after leaving last week’s win over the Jets with a rib injury. He had already rushed for 92 yards in a game Miami controlled easily, and Achane enters with 1,126 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground this season. This has been the most popular player prop at the book, perhaps in part due to the Steelers’ defense being charged with an NFL-high 65 broken tackles this season. A higher potential payout is available with Achane at +124 to rush for at least 90 yards, which he has done in four consecutive games.

–Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers Under 0.5 INTs (-129 at BetRivers): Rodgers has not thrown an interception in his past six home games and was not picked off in his past three games overall. Pittsburgh figures to have a run-heavy approach in frigid conditions and when Rodgers does go to the air, he will be attacking a Miami defense that has produced just seven interceptions this season.

INSIDE EDGE
Rodgers has completed just 57.4% of his passes thrown over the middle of the field this season, the fifth-worst mark among qualified quarterbacks, according to Inside Edge’s Remarkable engine. By comparison, he completed 70.7% of such passes last season.

INJURY REPORT
Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt is out after undergoing surgery for a collapsed lung sustained at the team practice facility last Wednesday.

Pittsburgh has multiple players either dealing with injuries or in concussion protocol. Offensive lineman Andrus Peat (concussion) and cornerback James Pierre (calf) will not play Monday. Running back Jaylen Warren was a late addition to the injury report on Monday morning and, like defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (knee), is considered questionable. Wide receivers DK Metcalf (rest) and Ben Skowronek (hand), as well as tight end Darnell Washington (concussion), were limited in practice Saturday.

Dolphins cornerback Elijah Campbell (ankle/knee) was listed as doubtful to face Pittsburgh. Offensive lineman Andrew Meyer (tricep), the only other limited participant in Saturday’s practice, was questionable.

THEY SAID IT
–“The good news is that how he makes a living is avoiding tacklers. And that’s what he’ll have to do. The bumps and bruises in the National Football League — if you don’t have something in December, you’re probably playing football wrong.” –Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel on Achane’s rib injury.

PREDICTION
The Dolphins have picked themselves up off the mat this season, but quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is 0-5 all-time in games where the temperature is below 40 degrees at kickoff. Miami’s 27th-ranked run defense, which allows an average of 131.9 yards per game on the ground, will see a heavy dose of Warren and Kenneth Gainwell as Pittsburgh plays the field position game while capitalizing on a few Tagovailoa mistakes. –Steelers 23, Dolphins 20

–Field Level Media

NFL Sunday Night Football: Preview

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Minnesota Vikings (5-8) at Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Cowboys -5.5, Total 48.5
Series Rewind: The Cowboys have won five of the past six meetings with Minnesota, including a 40-3 road victory in 2022 in the most recent matchup.

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Dallas faces long playoff odds and the Chicago win today eliminated Minnesota. Dallas has been receiving help from the NFC East-rival Philadelphia Eagles, who have lost three straight games to keep Dallas in the mix in the division race. The Cowboys have won three of their past four games as they ride the arm of Dak Prescott, the NFL leader with 3,637 passing yards. He also is tied for second with 26 passing touchdowns. Prescott has outputs of 354, 320 and 376 yards over the past three games. Standout receiver CeeDee Lamb (865 receiving yards) hasn’t cleared concussion protocol but should do so by Sunday night. Cowboys running back Javonte Williams has career highs of 1,022 yards and nine touchdowns in his first season with the club. The Vikings staved off elimination last weekend with a 31-0 shellacking of the Washington Commanders.  J.J. McCarthy threw a career-high three touchdown passes against Washington and didn’t throw an interception for the first time in his seven NFL starts. Star receiver Justin Jefferson had just two catches for 11 yards against the Commanders one week after having two receptions for 4 yards in a 26-0 road loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

–Field Level Media