Week 16 is here, and you might be entering the weekend with your own preferences regarding which games to focus on, and which to place on the backburner.
Most of you have your favorites and fantasy players to track. But in case you’re completely neutral or need help breaking ties with regard to what to watch, we’ve ranked all 16 games from most appealing to least enticing.
1. Ravens at Steelers (Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network): You really can’t go wrong when these two are meeting in December with the division title on the line.
2. Broncos at Chiefs (Sunday night, NBC): Denver is fighting for its life and the Chiefs are trying to stay alive in the AFC West race. Plus, this is one of the best rivalries in football.
3. Lions at Cowboys (Monday night, ESPN): This is gold for the four-letter network. The Lions are battling for a playoff spot and Dallas will probably be looking to clinch the NFC East at home. Appointment viewing to wrap up the week.
4. Colts at Raiders (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, CBS): Both teams are desperate for wins as they battle for AFC division crowns, and both have played a fair number of exciting games this season. Fully expecting this to go down to the wire.
5. Giants at Eagles (Thursday night, NBC/NFL Network): You know Philly will put up a fight at home against its desperate division rival, and it’s always entertaining when these two get together.
6. Vikings at Packers (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Minnesota’s last chance, and this team knows the Packers well. So if it’s close in the second half, tune in. But there’s a strong chance that won’t be the case, because Green Bay is a much better team right now.
7. Buccaneers at Saints (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): Tampa Bay needs this bad, and the Saints are extremely fun to watch. You really can’t go wrong here, especially if it remains close.
8. Bengals at Texans (Saturday night, NFL Network): Big game for Houston and an obvious chance for a better Cincinnati team to play spoiler. We could be in for a close one on Christmas Eve.
9. Redskins at Bears (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Watch for feisty Chicago to put up a fight against a desperate Washington team traveling while downtrodden and on short rest. Fireworks are coming.
10. Falcons at Panthers (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Atlanta is trying to lock up the NFC South, but the all-but-toast Panthers had a lot of life Monday against Washington. This might be a closer-than-expected game.
11. Dolphins at Bills (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Miami is trying to hold onto that last playoff spot and the Bills are trying to prevent the ship from sinking, which could make this divisional matchup fun. I have no doubt it’ll be close.
12. Titans at Jaguars (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): If Jacksonville keeps this close, it’s worth monitoring fourth-quarter drama. But unless that happens, stay away.
13. Jets at Patriots (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): New York might keep this close, because that often happens when these two meet. Still, there isn’t much on the line for either and we all know how this’ll end.
14. Cardinals at Seahawks (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): It looks as though the Cards have thrown in the towel and Seattle has already wrapped up the NFC West. Not much to see here.
15. Chargers at Browns (Saturday. 1 p.m. ET, CBS): C’mon! The 0-16 thing is interesting, but it isn’t worth tuning in for until Week 17.
16. 49ers at Rams (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): I assume you’re no longer reading.
