Welcome to the “Watchability stakes” – a ranking of the weekly matchups ahead in the NFL. Games are tiered based on three factors: narrative, implications and general intrigue. You will be seeing The Lead’s NFL game watchability rankings at the start of the week to get you ready for football action.
Week 16 marks a special time with NFL fans being treated to football on four days leading up to two Christmas Day games. Amid all those matchups lies plenty of stakes for the playoffs and a handful of significant implications the rest of the way.
This week’s games are scheduled for Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. On the first of those two days, three critical inter-conference games highlight a marquee slate of matchups. The rest of the week includes consequential games for divisions, playoff seeding, and even the number-one pick in this year’s draft.
As usual, The Lead is here to help you get ready with our weekly game rankings. Here are your game rankings for Week 16:
Tier 1: Absolutely can’t miss
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) versus Baltimore Ravens (9-5) – Saturday @ 4:30 pm EST
- The later of two Saturday games cracked the number-one spot in the rankings this week. Pittsburgh already beat Baltimore, adding to a pivotal AFC North matchup. Also consider the significant division, AFC playoff seeding and Wild Card spot scenarios that could be on the line.
Minnesota Vikings (12-2) versus Seattle Seahawks (8-6) – Sunday @ 4:05 pm EST
- Detroit’s recent loss and number of injuries leave the door still cracked open for Minnesota to sneak into first place in the NFC North. Up next for the Vikings: a Seattle team coming off a tough loss to Green Bay that is now on the outside looking in for the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) versus Washington Commanders (9-5) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- It’s one of the few quality games on Sunday, but an important one. Philly will look to stay in the hunt for the top seed in the NFC. As for Washington, the Commanders are still hanging on by a thread to make the playoffs and face a major inter-division test.
Denver Broncos (9-5) versus Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) – Thursday @ 8:15 pm EST
- This week’s last Tier 1 game sees two borderline AFC West playoff teams battling as the lone game on Thursday night. The result of this game could really stir the pot that is the AFC Wild Card race.
Tier 2: This could be fun
Houston Texans (9-5) versus Kansas City Chiefs (13-1) – Saturday @ 1 pm EST
- The early Saturday game sees two AFC division leaders facing off, keeping this matchup at least in Tier 2. An injury to Patrick Mahomes, though, means dropping what could’ve been a Tier 1 contest.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) versus Dallas Cowboys (6-8) – Sunday @ 4:25 pm EST
- It’s not quite over yet for Dallas, but they need to win out, or it’ll be officially over after this week. Tampa Bay continues to hold on to the top spot in the NFC South but still needs to hold off Atlanta down the stretch.
Tier 3: Decent floor, high upside
Detroit Lions (12-2) versus Chicago Bears (4-10) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- Chicago comes off a tough loss against Minnesota, and their season has been over for quite some time. Yet, Detroit’s injury troubles and the Bears playing the Lions well back on Thanksgiving Day remain factors keeping this game at least in Tier 3.
San Francisco 49ers (6-8) versus Miami Dolphins (6-8) – Sunday @ 4:25 pm EST
- Regardless of who wins, neither team is likely to make the playoffs. Given both teams’ rollercoaster-like seasons, getting as close to .500 as possible remains in play.
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11) versus Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) – Sunday @ 4:25 pm EST
- Easily the worst game on the board… which quietly means there’s a fun case that anything can happen. To top that off, talk about big draft standing implications.
Tier 4: It could always be worse
Los Angeles Rams (8-6) versus New York Jets (4-10) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- Defining Tier 4 this week: a decent-to-good team whose opponent is many games below-.500. Out of these four games in this tier, the Rams have the most to play for (keeping first place in the NFC West) and the toughest opponent.
Arizona Cardinals (7-7) versus Carolina Panthers (3-11) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- A game that remains here purely due to Arizona itself fighting for a Wild Card spot or even sneaking in (although it’s a long shot) at winning the division.
New York Giants (2-12) versus Atlanta Falcons (7-7) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- Atlanta gets another easy opponent this week after facing Las Vegas, but still has something to play for considering the current playoff picture.
Tennessee Titans (3-11) versus Indianapolis Colts (6-8) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- Tiny bonus points for this at least being an inter-division game, but the playoff chances for the Colts are basically one in a million even with a win.
Tier 5: Snooze fest
New England Patriots (3-11) versus Buffalo Bills (11-3) – Sunday @ 4:25 pm EST
- Buffalo still needs to handle business but should have no trouble with New England. There are at least three Sunday late-afternoon games worth watching over this one.
New Orleans Saints (5-9) versus Green Bay Packers (10-4) – Monday @ 8:15 pm EST
- Considering what’s left on the board, Green Bay will at least have the incentive to get the job done against a Saints team that nearly escaped with a win last weekend over Washington.
Cleveland Browns (3-11) versus Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- It’s technically not over yet for the Bengals, but Cincinnati ranks at the very end of the AFC teams still eligible for sneaking into Wild Card Weekend.
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