NFL Week 16 schedule rankings and predictions

Excellent matchups are on tap in Week 16 of the NFL season. The schedulers came up with some great pairings that will have a serious impact on the playoff picture—a rare week when the best game is the first game. Also, remember FOX Sports has a doubleheader on Saturday, which is capped by a Packers-Bears rematch. The holiday season is upon us, and there will be plenty to celebrate as the stakes are high and prime.

16. New York Jets at New Orleans Saints: CBS, Dec. 21, 1 p.m.

New Orleans Saints fans during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome.

The Saints are on a roll, having beaten the Bucs and Panthers in their past two games. The Jets have simply rolled over. There can be no explanation for allowing 48 points to the Jaguars. None. Prediction Saints 20, Jets 10

15. Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals: FOX, Dec. 21, 4:05 p.m.

Arizona Cardinals mascot Big Red wears a Santa Claus costume.

The Cardinals are doing nothing to be competitive recently. Atlanta is wishy-washy. Unpredictable at best. Look for the Falcons to come up short here by taking the Cardinals lightly. Can’t blame them. Prediction: Cardinals 26, Falcons 23

New York Giants fans hold up a sign for defense against the San Francisco 49ers.

If the Vikings were in the NFC East, they would have thrived. This makes three victories in a row over teams in that division. Prediction: Vikings 27, Giants 13

Washington Commanders fans react during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants.

The Eagles catch another struggling team. The Commanders finally were able to find a team worse than them in the Giants. Philly, meanwhile, regained its form and blanked the Raiders. Look for a strong Eagles effort here. Prediction: Eagles 31, Commanders 17

12. Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans: CBS, Dec. 21, 4:25 p.m.

The Raiders could not score on the Eagles. They could go for negative points against the tough Texans defense. Prediction: Texans 34, Raiders 6

11. Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans: CBS, Dec. 21, 1 p.m.

Santa Claus and other fans, braving the cold, are ready to cheer on the Tennessee Titans.

What should have been an easy game for the Chiefs is no longer. Patrick Mahomes is done for the season with a torn ACL. The Chiefs are out of the playoff picture. The defense is still good enough to menace Cam Ward. Just not a rout. Prediction: Chiefs 21, Titans 16

A young Cleveland Browns fan looks on before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Huntington Bank Field.

The Bills were goners against the Patriots, rallied, fell behind, and came back. The Browns went to Chicago and did absolutely nothing. The big fear for Buffalo has to be not getting up for the bad Browns. The Bills have to win to keep their AFC East hopes alive. Will Myles Garrett harass Josh Allen? Yes. Will Cleveland do enough to upset Buffalo? No. Prediction: Bills 35, Browns 10

Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) fumbles the ball against the Cleveland Browns.

The Dolphins and Bengals both are out of the playoff race. Quinn Ewers replaces Tua Tagovailoa. That is the Dolphins waving the surrender flag big time. Prediction: Bengals 31, Dolphins 13

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield keeps the ball to run in for a late score against the Cleveland Browns.

This game is for the division lead in the NFC South. Yes, it is time for 7-7 teams to decide who goes into the final two weeks ahead in the weakest division. Tampa Bay is struggling, having lost to the Saints and Falcons recently. The Panthers lost to the Saints in their last game. High stakes for mediocre teams. Prediction: Panthers 21, Bucs 20

7. Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys: FOX, Dec. 21, 1 p.m.

Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers runs with the ball during the third quarter.

The Chargers are playing for playoff position while the Cowboys are playing for a better draft pick. Justin Herbert and the Bolts light up Dallas. Prediction: Chargers 33, Cowboys 17

6. San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts: ABC/ESPN, Dec. 22, 8:15 p.m.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Jauan Jennings celebrate.

The Philip Rivers comeback story was ruined by Jason Myers’ foot. The Niners keep winning although Christian McCaffrey’s stats have slowed considerably. Rivers is a nice story but the Colts are a team that has lost four in a row. Make it five. Prediction: 49ers 33, Colts 23

5. New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens: NBC, Dec. 21, 8:20 p.m.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is forced out of bounds by Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa during second half action at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Oct. 5, 2025.

That comfortable lead New England had in the AFC East vanished faster than its 21-0 lead against the Bills in Week 15. Look for Baltimore to pick up where the Bills left off and keep rattling New England. Kind of strange how after all the ups and downs the Ravens find themselves with a chance salvage the season. Prediction: Ravens 30, Patriots 27

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence calls out a play.

The Jaguars have won five in a row. The Broncos have won 11 straight. Something has to give here. Bo Nix and Denver are home and that should be a huge advantage in December weather against a team from the Sunshine State. Sean Payton keeps the magic rolling. Prediction: Broncos 26, Jaguars 17

3. Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions: CBS, Dec. 21, 4:25 p.m.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell.

Interesting contest as the Lions need to win to remain in the wild-card picture. The Steelers can only enhance their AFC North hopes but know that they will be in great shape no matter what happens heading into a Week 18 matchup with the Ravens that might decide the division. Prediction: Steelers 23, Lions 20

Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney intercepts a pass against the Chicago Bears.

NFC North rivals clash again. The Packers came away with the victory a couple of weeks ago. This one will be at Soldier Field on Saturday. How much will the loss of Micah Parsons impact Green Bay? A lot. Prediction: Bears 17, Packers 13

1. Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks: Prime Video, Dec. 18, 8:15 p.m.

Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams throws a pass.

This game could be one that sees a round three deep in the playoffs. Matthew Stafford likely will be without Davante Adams (hamstring). The first time the teams met Seattle almost won despite Sam Darnold throwing four picks. Will the Seahawks take the rematch? Prediction: Rams 24, Seahawks 16

This article originally appeared on The List Wire: NFL Week 16 rankings and predictions