As we enter the last three weeks of the NFL regular season, there are some incredible matchups coming our way. There are lots of great games on Christmas Eve and a potential Super Bowl matchup on Christmas Day. The playoffs are right around the corner and every game is being watched more closely than before as teams are jostling for their chance to play in the postseason. Here are our Top 3 2023 NFL Games Week 16.
Baltimore Ravens vs San Francisco 49ers – Christmas Night
This game is going to be intense. How often do we get the 1-seeds from both the NFC and AFC facing each other in Week 16 on Monday Night Football? The football gods planned something extra special for Christmas night. On top of that, Brock Purdy is currently the odds favorite to win the MVP. Who is right behind him? None other than Lamar Jackson. Both teams have top three defenses which should steal the show in this upcoming matchup. There’s a chance that the Niners face their toughest test on offense since they faced off against the Cleveland Browns which was their first loss on the way to a three-game losing streak. Meanwhile, the Ravens haven’t faced an offense of the Niners capability yet. Just look at their most recent games, San Francisco has scored 40+ points twice in the last three weeks. I have the Niners rolling at home. Prediction: Ravens 22 49ers 30
Dallas Cowboys vs Miami Dolphins – Christmas Eve
What’s the next best thing outside of the top seeds facing each other? The number two seeds facing each other from each conference. The Cowboys overtook the Philadelphia Eagles as the two-seed in the NFC and now have a tough matchup against the Dolphins who don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. They hung 30 points on the New York Jets without Tyreek Hill. Dallas has a legit defense, and it could slow down Tua and company. However, few teams have been able to do so this season, so don’t count on it. Meanwhile, Dallas is coming off their worst loss of the season, even worse than the beatdown that they took from the 49ers back in Week 5 of the season on Sunday Night Football. This is a massive game as the two-seed basically retains home field advantage until the Championship Game and can even host if the one seed goes down before that. I love Mike McDaniel and think he has a few holiday tricks up his sleeve. Prediction: Cowboys 24 Dolphins 28
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Christmas Eve
This game may not look all that sexy on paper, but these are two divisional leaders battling for the top spot in their respective divisions with little margin for error. The Bucs have a one-game lead over the New Orleans Saints thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker but still must face them in Week 17 which could shift the standings. The Bucs are being led by Baker Mayfield who is proving lots of people wrong after a total resurgence. The Jags have had struggles recently, especially with Trevor Lawrence battling injuries. He left the game in Week 15 and is in concussion protocol. The Jags still lead the AFC South, but they have just a tiebreaker lead at the moment with the top three teams all sitting at 8-6. Lawrence is the key to this game and if he can’t go, I like Tampa. Prediction: Jaguars 23 Bucs 25