Ranking the Week 16 slate by watchability
The four remaining division titles are up for grabs this week, with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles also being able to lock down home-field advantage through to Super Bowl LII in Minnesota.
Playoff seeding will strongly influence this week's viewership, while a handful of key divisional matchups heighten the stakes.
Here's how more neutral fans should be spending their weekend:
Nope
16. New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals - Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Viewers will need to go heavy on the under in order to get any sort of entertainment from this one. Both teams lack any sort of consistency on offense, while the Cardinals will lean on a new set of backups at both quarterback and running back. Offensive gaffes may lead to some semi-exciting defensive scoring plays.
15. Denver Broncos at Washington Redskins - Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
The fourth seed in the AFC West will pay a visit to the NFC East's third seed in a game that means nothing for either side. Watch only to see if Kirk Cousins can make a positive impression on one of his potential offseason suitors.
If you're looking for a reason
14. Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals - Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
The Lions are still in competition for an NFC wild-card spot, while Bengals' head coach Marvin Lewis has seemingly quit on his team with players following suit in last week's 34-7 loss to the Vikings.
13. Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens - Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
A very winnable game can thrust the Ravens toward the verge of the playoffs. They've scored a total of 109 points over their past three games but still don't offer much excitement. As 14-point favorites, according to Bovada, they're likely to spend most of the game trying to run out the clock.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans - Monday, 4:30 p.m. ET
The Texans are coming off a 38-point loss to the Jaguars in Week 15. They'll return home to face a Steelers team missing (former) MVP candidate Antonio Brown. Watch to see what ridiculous stat line Le'Veon Bell can put up to help fantasy managers claim the championship.
11. Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears - Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
With a road trip to visit the Steelers in Week 17, this is likely the last game left for the Browns to avoid a winless season. It's also the easiest game of Mitch Trubisky's career to date. Check in to see what the No. 2 pick can accomplish, while seeing if DeShone Kizer can avoid having this be his final NFL start.
10. Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs - Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
A win seals the AFC West for the Chiefs and they enter as 11-point favorites. The Dolphins immediately regressed following a surprise Week 14 upset of the Patriots in prime time. Expect another performance like their Week 15 outing.
9. Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers - Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET
It'll take a Vikings win and a Panthers loss or tie to clinch Minnesota's first-round bye. With the Panthers likely headed to victory, that leaves little consequence for this one as the Vikings' defense shuts down Brett Hundley in his return to the starting job.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers - Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
A win or tie gets the Panthers back to the postseason. The Buccaneers looked better than anyone expected in Week 15, but that could have been equally due to the Falcons playing down to competition. The home-field crowd should have nothing to fear in Charlotte.
7. Los Angeles Chargers at New York Jets - Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
A Week 15 loss to the Chiefs was a significant setback for the Chargers, but they can get back on the inside track to the postseason with a win over the Bryce Petty-led Jets. They'll still need to stay focused on this week and avoid looking ahead to the Week 17 home matchup with the Raiders.
Something for both sides
6. Oakland Raiders at Philadelphia Eagles - Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET
Given the spotlight of Christmas night, the Raiders are unlikely to deliver up to the expectations of the time slot. This is another easy test for Nick Foles in his charade of replacing Carson Wentz.
5. Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots - Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
The game Bills fans have been waiting for. While a win won't clinch them their playoff spot, it'll set them up well, ahead of a Week 17 game against the Dolphins. A Patriots' victory secures home field through the AFC playoffs.
4. Los Angeles Rams at Tennessee Titans - Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
A win or a tie wraps up the NFC West for the Rams, or they can wait for a Seahawks' loss or tie. The Titans need a win of their own and some help in the form of losses by the Ravens and Bills. Watch to see if the Rams can replicate their complete performance against the Seahawks from Week 15.
The cream of the crop
3. Jacksonville Jaguars at San Francisco 49ers - Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
With the Jimmy Garoppolo hype at its peak, the Jaguars cruise into town on the heels of the 45-7 dismantling of the Texans. A win or tie clinches the AFC South for the Jaguars, without them needing to be concerned with the Titans' result. A surprise 49ers victory would surely help boost last-minute sales of Garoppolo jerseys in the Bay Area ahead of Christmas.
2. Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints - Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
A win clinches a playoff berth for either team, while the Saints will also be watching for a Buccaneers upset of the Panthers. Home field for the Saints and the full services of rookie running back Alvin Kamara could help even up the season series following a 20-17 Falcons victory in Week 14.
1. Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys - Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Seahawks are charged with trying to contain a well-rested Ezekiel Elliott in the wake of an embarrassing 42-7 loss to the Rams at home. The loser will be dropped from playoff contention.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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