3 must-see NFL games in Week 16
We're almost out of regular-season football, so savor what's left.
Here are three games in particular you shouldn't miss this weekend:
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
The loser of this game may be all but eliminated from NFC South title contention and the guaranteed home playoff game that comes with it. The winner could match the Carolina Panthers (who host the Cleveland Browns in Week 16) at six wins and create a win-and-you're-in scenario in the season's final week.
Coming off a huge road win over the Chicago Bears, the Saints are favored by about a touchdown at home. That line may be a little generous, however, as the Saints have lost four straight at the Superdome and were edged by the Falcons back in Week 1.
Julio Jones' status remains up in the air as he attempts to return from a hip injury that forced him to sit out the Falcons' Week 15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He trails Antonio Brown in the race for the receiving title. The Saints' secondary isn't exactly their strong suit, so defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is surely praying for Jones to miss at least one more week.
Indianapolis Colts at Dallas Cowboys
4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano had some complimentary things to say about Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant this week.
"He’s a nightmare," Pagano said. And it's difficult to disagree.
Bryant overpowered the Philadelphia Eagles in a six-catch, three-touchdown performance in Week 15. With Cowboys star running back DeMarco Murray hurting (he underwent hand surgery early this week and is questionable to play), Bryant may need to turn in another beastly performance if the Cowboys are to top the Colts.
With a win, the Cowboys will maintain their lead in the NFC East. The Colts have already booked their ticket to the postseason, but they need a victory to maintain a realistic chance of earning a playoff bye.
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
8:30 p.m. ET, NBC
Who's the class of the NFC West? Is it the Arizona Cardinals, who stand alone atop the NFC at 11-3 but are down to their third-string quarterback, or is it the Seattle Seahawks, who began the season slowly but are peaking at the right time thanks to a surging defense?
Ryan Lindley will start at quarterback for the Cardinals on home field. A win will clinch home-field advantage for Arizona throughout the playoffs - including a possible trip to the Super Bowl, which will be played at University of Phoenix Stadium.
The Seahawks will look to maintain their impressive defensive momentum. What looked like a Super Bowl hangover early in the season has turned around in a big way thanks to a return to dominance on defense. The Seahawks are allowing a league-best 272.4 yards per game and have surrendered only 27 total points to opponents in their last four games combined.