HOW TO WATCH WEEK 16 OF THE NFL

Mike Shara Dec 22, 2021

Say what you will about your personal feelings on Covid-19 and how it’s been dealt with (actually, no – please don’t say anything – no one cares about your thoughts on that), but a small benefit for football fans and bettors alike is that there was NFL football to watch and bet on for 5 of 7 days last week.  Sure, maybe some teams have been playing short-handed because of protocols, etc., but watching slightly diminished football sure beats not having any football to watch, amirite? I mean, that’s the entire logic behind the hideous spectacle that is Thursday Night Football, isn’t it?

Despite roster shakeups (and fantasy football playoffs being sabotaged…ahem), there were still a lot of great games to watch last week. The Chiefs came back to beat the Chargers yet somehow L.A. Head Coach Brandon Staley’s aggressive decision-making was praised, despite it likely costing his team the game. John Harbaugh should really have a chat with Staley about how to do that stuff and still come out shining like a rose. The Eagles, Saints, Steelers and Dolphins kept themselves within reach of the playoff picture with big wins, while the Titans, Browns, Panthers and Broncos did themselves no favors with just three weeks left in the regular season. However, with more teams qualifying for the playoffs and a longer season, it’s still almost impossible to tell who will get the final few spots.

In Week 15, eight favorites covered the spread, three underdogs covered but didn’t win the game, four underdogs won their games outright (Hall of Fame betting status automatically awarded to anyone who saw that Lions win coming!) and one game was a push.

This week’s schedule actually starts just two days after last week’s, with the final Thursday night atrocity exhibition of the regular season. Both teams involved are fighting for their postseason lives as the Titans, who’ve lost 3 of 4 since starting the season 8-2, will host a 49ers team that currently holds the sixth seed in the NFC despite a 3-5 record in the first half. Once the holiday weekend rolls around, the Browns will spend Christmas day facing yet another tough road test as they have to go into Lambeau Field to try and upset a Green Bay team that is getting healthier and playing with great confidence right now. Elsewhere, there are a lot of classic divisional rivalry games with significant playoff implications, including Baltimore at Cincinnati, Washington at Dallas, Denver at Las Vegas and the Buffalo Bills bravely staring down their annual soul-sucking visit to New England.

All games listed below are EST. Check your local listings to see what games are available in your area.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26

MONDAY, DECEMBER 27