Carolina quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass against Green Bay during the Panthers' win. Carolina (10-4) can reach the postseason for the fourth time in the last five seasons under coach Ron Rivera with a win Sunday against slumping Tampa Bay.
13 of the 16 games have postseason implications
Holiday cheer could be in order in New Orleans, Carolina, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Kansas City this weekend.
They might even be singing playoff praise of the Titans in Music City.
Of the 16 games in Week 16 of the NFL schedule, 13 have some sort of postseason implication. Leading the parade are the NFC South matchups between the Falcons and Saints, and the Buccaneers and Panthers.
“This is definitely a type of game that we’d love to win and roll on to the playoffs,” says defensive end Cam Jordan, one of the main reasons the Saints are in such a strong position. “It’s crazy to think that 10 wins doesn’t (necessarily) get you in. ... But we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
So do the Falcons, who beat the Saints in Atlanta, but trail them and the Panthers by one game.
All three teams are accustomed to contending, particularly Carolina, which has won the division three of the last four years.
“It’s a big weekend in the NFC South. It feels like in the NFC South the last few weekends our playoffs have started,” tight end Greg Olsen said. “Every game has been critical for playoffs and seeding and alignment. It’s fun. This is the time of the year that you hope you are part of the discussion, and we are. We have a chance to make a move to get to 11 wins on Sunday and that is what our focus is on.”
Atlanta (9-5) at New Orleans (10-4)
Atlanta has won five of its last six this year, and also has won three straight vs. the Saints. It has been getting balanced performances on both sides of the ball, from star receiver Julio Jones to rookie defensive end Takkarist McKinley.
Ranked first in offense, the Saints are the only NFL team with three players who’ve each surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards: running back Mark Ingram has 1,420, rookie RB Alvin Kamara has 1,336, and receiver Michael Thomas has 1,085. Kamara leads NFL rookies with 12 TDs.
The winner clinches a playoff spot. New Orleans could own the division crown with a victory and a Panthers defeat.
Tampa Bay (4-10) at Carolina (10-4)
Carolina also moves into the postseason with a victory, though it can’t secure the NFC South title this weekend.
The Panthers are 6-1 in the last seven and have won four straight at home. Tampa Bay has lost its last four.
Cam Newton tears up the Bucs. He has 12 TDs (eight passing, four rushing) in the last four home games against Tampa Bay. Newton needs 31 yards rushing to move into third place all-time among NFL quarterbacks.
Newton unveiled a new target last week when Damiere Byrd had two TD catches.
Here are some of the more intriguing games with playoff implications:
Los Angeles Rams (10-4) at Tennessee (8-6)
A vital game for both squads.
The Rams can clinch their first NFC West title since 2003 with a win. Otherwise, losses by Atlanta, Carolina and Detroit give Los Angeles a playoff berth.
Meanwhile, the Titans can clinch playoff spot with a win combined with losses by both Baltimore and Buffalo. To get that victory, Tennessee must slow a Rams team tied for the league lead in scoring (438 points, same as Philadelphia). Todd Gurley last week became the first running back since 2010 with three-plus TDs rushing and a TD receiving in the same game. Jared Goff is averaging 261.7 yards passing and has five TDs and no interceptions in his past three games vs. the AFC. Rams rookie receiver Cooper Kupp has 323 yards receiving in the past four games. Kupp leads NFL rookies with 804 yards receiving and is first among rookie receivers with 58 catches.
Buffalo (8-6) at New England (11-3)
Did somebody say mismatch?
Most years, this is perhaps the most one-sided of series. Tom Brady has a 27-3 regular-season record against the Bills, his highest win total over any opponent. He has also thrown for more touchdowns (66) against the Bills than any other foe.
But the Bills have some extra incentive: Buffalo is in contention to break a 17-year playoff drought, the longest active streak in North America’s four major professional sports.
“Of course, the big picture’s there, but you can’t move too far ahead,” quarterback Tyrod Taylor said. “Take it one practice at a time, empty your tank into one day, getting better that day and going out and executing on Sunday or on game day.”
The Patriots wrapped up a record ninth consecutive AFC East title with last week’s win over Pittsburgh. They can grab a first-round bye this week with a win combined with either a Pittsburgh or Jacksonville loss. If the Patriots win and both of those teams lose, New England will secure home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
Seattle (8-6) at Dallas (8-6)
The loser here is out of contention. Considering the hopes with which both franchises began this year, that’s stunning.
Ezekiel Elliott returns to the Dallas backfield after serving his six-game suspension — the Cowboys went 3-3, winning the three most recent outings.
The Seahawks have made the playoffs five straight years, but have dropped their last two and are ravaged by injuries, penalties and a lack of on-field discipline.
Detroit (8-6) at Cincinnati (5-9)
While Cincinnati bungles its way toward the end of the schedule, the Lions have a strong chance of winning out. Whether that will be enough to make the postseason depends on other teams’ results.
The Bengals have won five straight and eight of nine in this series. But Detroit, led by Pro Bowl CB Darius Slay with an NFL-high seven picks, and QB Matthew Stafford, is 5-2 on the road.
