The playoff picture is starting to come into focus as we head down the stretch. Teams that were Super Bowl contenders to begin the year are being eliminated in a shocking twist while others who weren’t expected to make too much noise are in a fight for a division championship. There are a lot of great games to choose from this week, but I must opt for three games that have direct ties to a divisional race, so that’s what I’ll focus on. Here are our Top 3 2024 NFL Games Week 16.
Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers
Bo Nix and Sean Payton have done what Denver fans hoped when the team traded for Russell Wilson a couple of years ago. The trials and tribulations are nearly over but won’t officially be behind them until a playoff berth is clinched. Kansas City has the division wrapped up but the battle for second place is heated. LA lost a horrible game to Tampa Bay last week in blowout fashion and desperately needs Justin Herbert to step up in Week 16. Both teams should earn wild card spots, but seeding is the name of the game in this one. Denver’s defense has been excellent and should flex their muscle in this one. The Broncos have won four of five while LA has dropped three of five. LA won the first matchup by 7, I see a flip this week. Prediction: Broncos 24 Chargers 17
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens
The AFC North has been fun to watch in 2024 and it gets better this weekend with a lot on the line. Both teams will be playoff bound, but the Ravens don’t want the wild card. They are a game back of the Steelers. With a win, the Steelers will officially win the North. That would be a tough pill to swallow for Baltimore who would have to watch it all go down at their own stadium. The Ravens need a win to at least split the season series. Both teams still have hard games left on their schedule, so a win here makes things interesting. Pittsburgh is coming off a loss to the Eagles where the offense never got going. It won’t be as tough for them to score on Baltimore but I think the injury to T.J. Watt is an issue here and Derrick Henry gets revenge for a weaker performance earlier in the year. Prediction: Steelers 30 Ravens 32
Philadelphia Eagles vs Washington Commanders
The Eagles are the hottest team in football. They now have 10 straight wins. They are steamrolling teams. But behind the scenes, things aren’t as fun. Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown are reportedly beefing. You have Nick Sirianni getting into it with star players on the sidelines and this team’s ego is inflating every week. Philly just needs a win to clinch the NFC East, but I think this thing gets dragged out another week. Washington held tight with Philly before Saquon Barkley blew the doors off in the second half earlier this year. I expect Dan Quinn to come equipped with a better game plan and a way to at least slow him down. Philly is due for a loss and a reality check at some point before the regular season ends. Prediction: Eagles 24 Commanders 27