Week 16 of the 2019 NFL season is here. With two games remaining on the schedule, eight of the 12 postseason berths already have been clinched. But none of the seed have been sewn up yet, so much remains at stake in the playoff picture this weekend.
On Saturday, the gritty Buffalo Bills, who are seeking their first division title since 1995, visit the mighty New England Patriots with a chance to move into a tie atop the AFC East with their longtime nemesis.
On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys travel to play the Philadelphia Eagles with a chance to clinch the NFC East. The Eagles need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, in a game quarterback Carson Wentz called the biggest of his career.
On Monday, the Green Bay Packers hit the road to play the Minnesota Vikings with an opportunity to clinch the NFC North. With a win, the Vikings will remain alive for the division title and a potential first-round bye — but they might have to do it without star running back Dalvin Cook.
For those with their eyes already on the 2020 NFL Draft, there is an epic pillow fight in South Florida between the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins — combined record: 4-24.
To see which games will be shown on network TV in your area, visit our Week 16 game maps article here.
Without further ado, here are your NFL game previews for Saturday (Dec. 21), Sunday (Dec. 22) and Monday (Dec. 23):
Houston Texans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TV: 1 p.m. ET Saturday, NFL Network
Records: Texans 9-5, Buccaneers 7-7
Line: Texans by 3½
Satellite radio: Texans feed on Sirius 108 (streaming 812), Bucs feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 829)
Texans’ keys: QB Deshaun Watson needs to take advantage of Tampa Bay’s weak secondary, though that group has been making strides in the season’s second half.
Buccaneers’ keys: Let QB Jameis Winston be Jameis Winston. Over the past month, he has bounced back from early-season mistakes.
Who wins? Taking down a talented Houston team would give Tampa Bay, which has won five of its last six games, confidence heading into the offseason. Buccaneers 34, Texans 28
— Colin Liotta
Hou@TB / Buf@NE / LAR@SF / Jax@Atl / Bal@Cle / NO@Ten / Car@Ind / Cin@Mia / Pit@NYJ / NYG@Was / Det@Den / Oak@LAC / Dal@Phi / Ari@Sea / KC@Chi / GB@Min