NFL Football 2023 Week 16 Preview. Move over Sunday Night Football, Monday has three big games you won’t want to miss. Kansas City takes on the Raiders; Philadelphia plays the Giants, but the kicker is San Francisco going head-to-head against the Ravens. The games are heating up as we get closer to Week 18.
Week 16 NFL Schedule and Lines
Thursday, December 21
- New Orleans Saints (7-7) at Los Angeles Rams (7-7) Rams (-4.5, 44.5)
Saturday, December 23
- Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) Bengals (-2.5, 37.5)
- Buffalo Bills (8-6) at Los Angeles Chargers (5-9) Bills (-11, 42.5)
Sunday, December 24
- Washington Commanders (4-10) at New York Jets (5-9) Jets (-3, 38.5)
- Detroit Lions (10-4) at Minnesota Vikings (7-7) Lions (-3, 46.5)
- Cleveland Browns (9-5) at Houston Texans (8-6) Texans (-2.5, 42.5)
- Green Bay Packers (6-8) at Carolina Panthers (2-12) Packers (-5, 36.5)
- Seattle Seahawks (6-7) at Tennessee Titans (5-9) Seahawks (-2.5, 42.5)
- Indianapolis Colts (8-6) at Atlanta Falcons (6-8) Colts (-2.5, 44.5)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) Jaguars (-1, 43.5)
- Dallas Cowboys (10-4) at Miami Dolphins (10-4) Dolphins (-1.5, 51.5)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-11) at Chicago Bears (5-9) Bears (-4.5, 44.5)
- New England Patriots (3-11) at Denver Broncos (7-7) Broncos (-6, 34.5)
Monday, December 25
- Las Vegas Raiders (6-8) at Kansas City Chiefs (9-5) Chiefs (-10, 41.5)
- New York Giants (5-9) at Philadelphia Eagles (10-3) Eagles (-10.5, 43.5)
- Baltimore Ravens (11-3) at San Francisco 49ers (11-3) 49ers (-5.5, 45.5)
The Steelers Hope to Repeat Their Win Over the Bengals
Pittsburgh beat Cincinnati in Week 12 when Joe Burrow was declared out for the season, and Jake Browning got his first career start. But Browning has won each game since, averaging 31.7 points and 418 yards per game.
The Steelers are skirting elimination, while Cincinnati still has a chance to make the playoffs. While the Bengals have found new life with three straight wins, the Steelers have been losing three straight against the Cardinals, Patriots, and Colts. Quarterback Kenny Pickett’s ankle injury is listed as limited, plus they’re missing safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and Damontae Kazee (suspension). Coach Mike Tomlin has benched Mitchell Trubisky for veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph. I wonder if he has a red nose.
The Bengals might be without wide receiver JaMarr Chase, who has a shoulder injury, but they should have enough talent to ground Rudolph and cover the spread.
The Browns and Texans are Both Battling for a Playoff Spot
Cleveland currently holds a Wild Card spot, while Houston is in a three-way tie for the top spot in the AFC South. The Browns allow the fewest points in the NFL (13.1) when playing at home but allow the most points in the league (30.7) when on the road. It’s too bad they’re playing in Houston.
The Texans have better offense at home, averaging 24.7 points per game as opposed to only 19 points when they’re away from home. Unfortunately, C.J. Stroud might also miss this game, as he’s still in concussion protocol. So they might not cover the spread but wait till his injury status is confirmed. Keep an eye on the moving line.
The Jaguars Visit Tampa Bay
They might not be in the same division, but being in the same state makes for an easy road trip. Tampa Bay is on a three-game winning streak, while Jacksonville has lost three in a row. But the Jaguars still have a slight edge as the favorite, as long as Trevor Lawrence is starting. He is in concussion protocol from a hit he received in their loss against the Ravens Sunday night.
Both teams have solid running defenses, but the Buccaneers have the second-worst passing defense in the league, giving up an average of 263.9 yards per game in the air. The Jaguars should win if Lawrence is healthy and can pass for more than that average.
Baker Mayfield is hot, but so far this season, the Buccaneers haven’t been able to beat a team with a winning record. I don’t see them starting now. But it should be close either way.
Two Powerhouse Offenses That Struggle Against Good Teams
If neither the Cowboys nor the Dolphins can beat winning teams, and both teams have winning records, what does that mean for this game? Actually, Dallas has beaten one winning team, but that was a home game. This will be played in Miami.
The Dolphins crushed the Jets last week, 30-0, even without Tyreek Hill. They lead the NFL in passing yards this season, but they’re going up against a Dallas secondary that has given up the fourth fewest passing yards in the league. Even with good defense on both sides, expect a high-scoring game.
The Cowboys are 3-0 SU and ATS coming off a loss. That sounds like a stat to worry about, so look for a surprise Dallas surge even if Tyreek Hill returns.
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