What a week. Not really in a good way for the NFL. On the same Sunday, we saw both Patrick Mahomes and Michah Parson tear their ACLs. Not only are they out for this season but likely most of next season as well. For the Chiefs, it matters slightly less because for the first time in the Mahomes era, they were eliminated from playoff contention with their loss to the Chargers. It could create a series of moves for KC that changes the identity of their franchise. For the Packers, they lost their best defender who they paid a premium for and may have lost the steam they needed to finish this season as a 1-seed in the NFC. Games this week are vital. Here are our Top 3 2025 NFL Games Week 16.
Los Angeles Rams vs Seattle Seahawks
This one is huge. There is a two-way tie at the top of the NFC West with the Hawks and Rams both sitting with 11 wins each. The 49ers are right behind them with 10 wins and still have a chance to sweep the season’s series against the Hawks come Week 18. LA looks like the better team to me. They just took care of business against Detroit in a big way and managed to run up the score despite Davante Adams and Puka Nacua getting injured in that game. Meanwhile in Seattle, it took literally every second of gametime to beat 44-year-old Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts. Sam Darnold’s biggest knock a season ago was shrinking when it came time to win in the big games. We saw him crumble towards the end of last season and in the playoffs. Is that bound to happen again? I am not betting against Stafford getting the job done. Prediction: Rams 24 Seahawks 21
Green Bay Packers vs Chicago Bears
This game is massive. The Bears have the 2-seed and the NFC North right now. Their 10 wins lead the way, but the Packers have already beaten them this season and another win would give them a better winning percentage, thanks to their tie vs Dallas, and an overall tiebreaker advantage. Whoever wins this game takes the driver’s seat in the division in a big way. The Packers defense took a massive blow losing Micah Parsons. I would still take the Packers defense without Parsons, but there is a shifting of the tide, and the Bears have an opportunity to break this curse against Green Bay and Ben Johnson should be able to scheme a game plan that attacks them where they are vulnerable. I like a shootout here and a monumental win for Chicago. Prediction: Packers 33 Bears 36
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers
Both the Bucs and Panthers suffered embarrassing losses to division opponents last week with the NFC South up for grabs. The Bucs have had an incredible fall from grace after a hot start to the season. These teams will play twice over the next three weeks, and these two games are obviously more important than any other this season. Todd Bowles threw his teams and players under the bus after their Thursday Night Football loss. His players will either react positively, or the locker room is lost, and chaos is about to ensure. Given the leadership of guys like Basker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Lavonte David, I feel confident that Tampa will be able to right the ship and find some late season magic. The Panthers are showing signs of encouragement, but it might be too much for Bryce Young and Dave Canales in this spot. Prediction: Tampa 27 Carolina 25