Playoff Push Increases in NFL Week 16

An important NFC West showdown with NFL odds playoff implications will kick off Week 16 on Amazon Prime. Specifically, the Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams. Veteran Matthew Stafford is back under center for the Rams, who are coming off two playoff campaigns and six in their eight seasons under head coach Sean McVay. Despite a 10-7 record under rookie head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks failed to make the playoffs. Thus, Seattle has plenty of motivation to close the postseason sale this year and will have a new quarterback to help make it happen.

2025-26 NFL Super Bowl Championship Future Odds

2024-25 NFL Week 16 Schedule

Thursday, Dec. 18

• Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m. ET (Prime Video)

Saturday, Dec. 20

• Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, time TBD (FOX)
• Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders, time TBD (FOX)

Sunday, Dec. 21

• New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
• Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
• Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
• New York Jets at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
• Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
• Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
• Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX)
• Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX)
• Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
• Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
• Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)

Monday, Dec. 22

• San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Namely, Sam Darnold arrives from the Minnesota Vikings, where he was the unwanted starting QB on a 14-3 online betting team.

Week 16 offers two Saturday NFL betting odds matchups on FOX that are attractive division rivalry showdowns. The Washington Commanders will host the Philadelphia Eagles. Of course, the Eagles spanked the Commanders in last year’s NFC championship game.

And then from the NFC North, the NFL’s oldest rivalry will renew with the Chicago Bears hosting the Green Bay Packers. The Bears are facing low expectations. However, they could have plenty of value and upside with rookie head coach and quarterback whisperer Ben Johnson. Correlate that Johnson was hired to fix quarterback Caleb Williams, the first overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

In the Sunday early window, an interesting interconference matchup could have major playoff implications. The Dallas Cowboys will host the Los Angeles Chargers in what could be a critical game for both teams.

Normally, the Cowboys are overrated and fall short of the incessant hype. But this year, Dallas is facing unusually small expectations. Thus, that may serve to tone down the perpetual Jerry World Circus that has harmed the team since head coach Jimmy Johnson left in a huff after winning two Super Bowls in 1994.

Chargers’ HC Jim Harbaugh remains one of the most interesting characters in the game. Harbaugh was hired to jumpstart a franchise that was not even wanted when it arrived from San Diego. Cause of stadium issues did they moved to LA anyway.

On Sunday Night, NBC will air a game that could have playoff ramifications in the AFC. The Miami Dolphins will host the Cincinnati Bengals. Miami has the talent to contend, but it all depends on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa staying healthy. And even if Tua answers the bell, the main problem at Miami is Mike McDaniel. Specifically, he is the softest head coach in the NFL.