NFL Week 16: Keys to all games
December 23, 2016
New York Giants (10-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-9)
KICKOFF: Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, Lincoln Financial Field. TV: NBC, NFLN, Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Heather Cox.
SERIES HISTORY: 164th regular-season meeting. The Giants lead the series 83-78-2. The Giants won the first home-and-home meeting of these NFC East rivals earlier this season, 28-23. The Giants' first two touchdowns were set up by interceptions by rookie quarterback Carson Wentz.
GAMEDATE: 12/22/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: Playoff picture -- New York clinches a playoff berth with: 1. NYG win or tie OR 2. DET loss or tie OR 3. GB loss or tie OR 4. TB loss or tie OR 5. ATL loss.
They seek to clinch playoff spot for the first time since 2011 with a win. They hold the top wild-card spot, two games ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) and the Green Bay Packers (8-6).
They finish the season on Jan. 1 against the Washington Redskins.
The Eagles are mathematically eliminated and will play the role of spoiler.
Since Week 7, the Big Blue has the best scoring defense in the league, allowing only 14.9 points a game, and is the best in third-down defense, allowing a conversion just 29.6 percent of the time.
Philadelphia averages 112.9 yards on the ground and 227.5 in the air. The Giants will be without running back Shane Vereen, who reinjured his triceps in a 17-6 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The Eagles' ground game will get a boost from running back Darren Sproles, who was cleared after undergoing concussion protocol.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Eagles CBs Leodis McKelvin, Nolan Carroll and Jalen Mills vs. Giants WRs Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz and Sterling Shepard. The Eagles have given up an NFL-high 24 pass plays of 30-plus yards. They must keep Beckham in front of them.
--Eagles LT Jason Peters vs. Giants DE Olivier Vernon. Peters was just selected to his ninth Pro Bowl. Vernon leads the Giants in sacks. He had five tackles and a sack in first battle with Peters earlier this season.
WEDNESDAY INJURY REPORT
NEW YORK GIANTS
--Out: S Nat Berhe (concussion), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (core muscle).
--Questionable: LB Jonathan Casillas (knee), CB Janoris Jenkins (back).
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
--Questionable: G Allen Barbre (hamstring), WR Jordan Matthews (ankle), G Isaac Seumalo (ankle), T Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee).
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Giants CB Eli Apple. The last time the Giants and Eagles met, the rookie cornerback struggled so badly that he was benched. Fortunately for him, the Giants coaching staff didn't lose faith in his abilities. These days, Apple has actually taken over Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie's starting job opposite Janoris Jenkins. While cornerbacks are generally trained to have short memories, there's little doubt that Apple is looking forward to redeeming himself against the Eagles, who will probably put leading receiver Jordan Matthews against him if Jenkins has to miss the game.
FAST FACTS: Giants QB Eli Manning passed for 559 yards with 6 TDs, two INTs and a 94.9 rating in last two games vs. Eagles. WR Odell Beckham Jr. has 35 TD catches since 2014, most in NFL and is the first player in NFL history with at least 80 catches and at least 1,000 yards receiving on each of his first three seasons. S Landon Collins is only player with 5-plus INTs (5), 3-plus sacks (3) and leads NFC safeties with 108 tackles...Eagles QB Carson Wentz ranks 2nd among NFL rookies with 3,385 yards passing and 13 TDs. DT Fletcher Cox has 6.5 sacks and FF in past 7 games at home.
PREDICTION: The Eagles want to be spoilers and New York is one of only five NFL teams yet to score at least 30 points in a game this season (Chicago, Cleveland, Houston and San Francisco). Still, for Eagles fans hoping rookie Wentz gets into a shootout, the Giants are the only NFL team that hasn't allowed 30 points in any game this year.
OUR PICK: Giants, 28-21.
--Frank Cooney
Miami Dolphins (9-5) at Buffalo Bills (7-7)
KICKOFF: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, New Era Field. TV: CBS, Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl.
SERIES HISTORY: 102nd regular-season meeting. Miami leads, 58-42-1. Miami won the last meeting, 28-25, when running back Jay Ajayi rushed for a career-best 214 yards. This victory was the second of a six-game winning streak for the Dolphins. Miami entered the game 2-6 against the Bills since 2012.
GAMEDATE: 12/24/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: Playoff picture -- Miami clinches a playoff berth with: 1. MIA win plus DEN loss or tie OR 2. MIA tie plus BAL loss plus DEN loss plus HOU loss or tie OR 3. MIA tie plus BAL loss plus DEN loss plus TEN loss or tie.
Even without quarterback Ryan Tannehill, the Miami Dolphins remain one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Miami's playoff push weathered the cold in last week's road win over the New York Jets. It likely won't be a white Christmas Eve at New Era Field, but freezing rain is in the forecast.
The Dolphins have won eight of their last nine games and control their fate in the AFC wild-card race. They can clinch their first playoff berth since 2008 with a win at Buffalo and a Denver loss in Kansas City.
Miami has not won in Buffalo since 2011. Matt Moore was the Dolphins' quarterback for that game, and he's starting again with Tannehill out indefinitely due to a sprained knee.
The Bills have not been eliminated from playoff contention but need to win their final two games and get a lot of help to pass five teams in the AFC standings and end their 16-year postseason drought, the longest in the NFL.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi vs. Bills linebackers. The Bills should have seen this coming in the first meeting when Ajayi torched them for 214 yards, because he had just done essentially the same thing to the Steelers the week before in what turned out to be his breakout performance. Ajayi killed the Bills with cutback runs, so the linebackers have to be aware of that when he starts outside and looks to break back against the flow.
--Bills C Ryan Groy vs. Dolphins DT Ndamukong Suh. As always, the Bills will need to run effectively to have a chance to win. With starting C Eric Wood out, the Dolphins have a clear advantage in the middle of the line with Suh going against Groy. The Bills' guards will need to be sharp so Miami's interior linemen and blitzers don't get too much penetration.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
MIAMI DOLPHINS
--Out: QB Ryan Tannehill (knee)
--Doubtful: LB Jelani Jenkins (knee, hand), CB Byron Maxwell (ankle)
--Questionable: S Isa Abdul-Quddus (ankle), LB Kiko Alonso (hamstring, hand), T Jermon Bushrod (shoulder), CB Bobby McCain (knee, hand), DE Mario Williams (ankle)
BUFFALO BILLS
--Out: LB Lerentee McCray (concussion)
--Doubtful: T Cordy Glenn (back)
--Questionable: LB Preston Brown (foot), TE Charles Clay (knee), RB Jerome Felton (foot), G John Miller (hip), WR Sammy Watkins (foot), DT Kyle Williams (back), DT Jerel Worthy (shoulder)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Bills TE Charles Clay. It has been a frustrating season for the Bills' passing game as it ranks ahead of only the 49ers. One of the problems has been the under-utilization of Clay, and it speaks to the dysfunction in the passing game that Clay, even with limited targets, is now leading the Bills with 46 catches. In the last two weeks, Clay has begun to emerge; he has 10 catches for 124 yards and his first two touchdowns of the season. The Bills need to keep looking Clay's way, if for no other reason than to force the Dolphins to pull coverage away from the wide receivers once in a while.
FAST FACTS: Dolphins QB Matt Moore set career-highs with four TDs and a 126.2 rating last week. ... Miami RB Jay Ajayi rushed for 214 yards and TD in last meeting. He is the 10th Dolphins RB with 1,000 yards rushing in a season (1,007). ... Miami WR Jarvis Landry is one of two players in NFL history (Odell Beckham Jr.) with 80 catches in each of first three seasons. ... Bills QB Tyrod Taylor leads NFL QBs with 520 yards rushing. ... Bills RB LeSean McCoy has 55 rushing TDs since 2010, second among active players. ... Bills LB Zach Brown is the only NFL player with 125 tackles (130) and four sacks (4).
PREDICTION: Considering the weather and the respective abilities, this looks like a run-off between RBs LeSean McCoy of Buffalo and Jay Ajayi of Miami. Playoffs are incentive for Dolphins, but the Bills, who have been all over the map this season, may try hard to win one for Rex while he is still the coach.
OUR PICK: Bills, 28-21.
--Frank Cooney
Atlanta Falcons (9-5) at Carolina Panthers (6-8)
KICKOFF: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, Bank of America Stadium. TV: FOX, Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Chris Spielman, Peter Schrager.
SERIES HISTORY: 44th regular-season meeting. Falcons possess a 26-17 series lead and have won the last two games, including a 48-33 verdict in Week 4 this year.
GAMEDATE: 12/24/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: Playoff picture -- Atlanta clinches NFC South division title with: 1. ATL win plus TB loss or tie OR 2. ATL tie plus TB loss. Atlanta clinches a playoff berth with: 1. ATL win plus ATL clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over DET OR 2. ATL win or tie plus GB loss or tie OR 3. ATL win plus DET loss or tie OR 4. ATL tie plus DET tie OR 5. WAS loss or tie plus GB loss OR 6. WAS loss or tie plus GB tie plus DET loss.
After slowing down the NFL's second-ranked offense in Washington on Monday night, the Panthers now get the league's No. 1 offense.
The Falcons proved how potent they could be in this year's first meeting, piling up 571 yards in Week 4, 503 through the air. So Carolina's corners have to be much better than they were back then, which is possible considering the improvement of rookies James Bradberry and Daryl Worley.
Turf toe forced Bradberry out of that first matchup, and he's expected to get a second chance covering WR Julio Jones. Atlanta's star wideout, who's dealing with his own toe injury, will get his catches, but Bradberry needs to keep Jones in front of him.
In the Week 4 meeting, the Falcons' Matt Ryan threw for a franchise-record 503 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Ryan has a 129.5 passer rating in four divisional games this season, and he has thrown 12 touchdown passes to just one interception. The 129.5 rating and 12 touchdowns in divisional games both lead the NFL.
The Panthers held RBs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman to 76 yards on 21 carries in Week 4, and they should have similar struggles Saturday.
Offensively, the Panthers have to get off to a much better start than they did in October, when their only points in the first three quarters came courtesy of a pick-six from S Kurt Coleman.
Cam Newton on Monday snapped a four-game slump with a passing percentage lower than 50, and Atlanta's 30th-ranked pass defense is ripe for the picking. If Newton avoids mistakes, is somewhat accurate and gets some help from RB Jonathan Stewart, Carolina could pull off an upset.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Falcons DE/OLB Vic Beasley vs. Carolina RT Trai Turner. Beasley, , who leads the league with 14.5 sacks, is having a breakthrough season as he also leads the NFL with six forced fumbles. He will play defensive end in the nickel and was seen spying San Francisco's Colin Kaepernick from linebacker last week. The Falcons used Deion Jones to spy Cam Newton, but now have more options. Turner, a Pro Bowl guard by trade, slid out to right tackle when Daryl Williams went down in the Oakland game. Turner is a strong blocker in tight spaces and could pull from the guard spot, but his challenge at 6-foot-3 and a shorter reach is blocking edge rushers in space.
--Falcons WR Julio Jones vs. Panthers CB James Bradberry. Jones caught 12 passes for a franchise-record 300 yards in the first meeting. The Panthers planned to have Bradberry cover Jones for most of the game, but he left after the first series. Now that Bradberry is healthy again, this should be a good battle, as long as Jones returns from his own toe injury.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
ATLANTA FALCONS
--Out: DT De'Vondre Campbell (concussion), TE Austin Hooper (knee)
CAROLINA PANTHERS
--Out: DE Ryan Delaire (knee)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Panthers DT Kawann Short. The fourth-year pro has terrorized Falcons QB Matt Ryan, racking up five sacks in their past three meetings. Last December, Short had two strip-sacks in the Panthers' 38-0 shutout.
FAST FACTS: Falcons QB Matt Ryan passed for 503 yards and four TDs in the last meeting. He has 17 TD passes and three INTs in the past seven games on the road and leads the NFL with a 114.8 rating. ... RB Devonta Freeman rushed for 139 yards and three TDs in Week 15, his third career three-TD game. He aims for his third game in a row against Carolina with a rushing TD. ... WR Julio Jones amassed a career-high 300 receiving yards and a TD in the last meeting and leads the NFL with 1,253 receiving yards. In the past 10 games against the division, he has 76 receptions for 1,256 yards and five TDs. ... Panthers QB Cam Newton passed for 300 yards and two TDs last week. In the past four home meetings, has 1,093 pass yards (273.3 per game) and 10 TDs (8 pass, 2 rush). ... RB Jonathan Stewart has four rushing TDs in the past four games at home. He has 326 scrimmage yards and five rushing TDs in past four games against the division. ... WR Kelvin Benjamin had nine receptions for 109 yards and a TD in the only home meeting.
PREDICTION: The Falcons can seal the division with a win and a Tampa Bay loss in New Orleans. But this doesn't look like an easy spot for them as the Panthers have been able to manufacture motivation the last two weeks despite minuscule playoff chances. The chance to hamper a fierce rival's playoff hopes, plus Newton's increased production of late, should lead to the NFC South going down to Week 17.
OUR PICK: Panthers, 30-28.
--Bucky Dent
Washington Redskins (7-6-1) at Chicago Bears (3-11)
KICKOFF: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, Soldier Field. TV: FOX, Dick Stockton, David Diehl, Kristina Pink.
SERIES HISTORY: 43rd regular-season meeting. Redskins lead series 21-20-1. Washington has won six straight, including 24-21 on Dec. 13 last year. The Redskins have won 12 of the last 14 in the series. The Bears last beat Washington 27-24 on Dec. 21, 2003.
GAMEDATE: 12/24/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: The game is simple for the Bears: Get to Redskins QB Kirk Cousins or live with the consequences -- namely, trying to contend with Washington's talented and fast receivers with a secondary that proves repeatedly it cannot match up with top receivers. That's assuming the Redskins can get up to speed after a short week and deflating Monday night loss that dented their playoff chances.
Coach Jay Gruden's team is coming off a 26-15 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Monday night, and players were limited to one full practice Thursday in between walk-through sessions Wednesday and Friday.
"The physical part of it is what concerns me," Gruden said. "These big guys, they take a beating on a Sunday or a Monday night football game. You need your rest. You need to recover. That's the biggest issue I have is the recovery time going from a Monday night to a Saturday."
By the same token, it's not as if the Bears ride into the game brimming with hope. Chicago has lost two straight games and five of its past six to guarantee a third consecutive sub-.500 showing.
The Redskins will try to make it seven wins in a row over Chicago with a high-powered offense led by quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is second in the NFL with 4,360 passing yards to go along with 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Cousins spreads the ball around effectively, which will make it difficult for the Bears to target a single playmaker with their 3-4 defensive scheme. Washington is the only team in the league this season to have six players with at least 40 receptions. The group is led by wide receivers DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder, all of whom have eclipsed 800 receiving yards and have the 1,000-yard milestone within their sights.
The Bears have rarely played with the lead since Matt Barkley took over at quarterback. If Chicago can avoid a big hole early, rookie RB Jordan Howard could challenge the Redskins' defense, which is ranked No. 29 in the league with an average of 375.4 yards allowed per game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Bears WR Alshon Jeffery vs. Redskins CB Josh Norman. Part of the reason Norman has only one interception is quarterbacks don't test him. But if he matches up on Jeffery all over the field, it will happen. Jeffery had all of his catches and yards in one quarter last week as it took three quarters for quarterback Matt Barkley to reacquaint himself with the team's franchise player. Jeffery made six catches for 107 yards and a touchdown against Washington last year. Norman has 32 pass breakups the past two seasons. It would make sense for the Redskins to match Norman on Jeffery because they could avoid putting a safety over the top all the time on that side of the field like Green Bay had to do last week. When the Packers did that, the Bears burned their secondary with 100-yard receiving days by Deonte Thompson and Cameron Meredith. Jeffery has a height/size edge, but Norman is extremely athletic and able to defend bigger men.
--Bears S Deon Bush vs. Redskins TE Jordan Reed. Reed had nine catches for 120 yards and a TD chasing down Cousins' passes while destroying Bears linebackers and safeties last year. The Bears are going to be tested by a team with the capability of going with double tight ends, using Vernon Davis, as well. Reed is too dangerous to guard with linebackers. The Bears will likely need to put Bush into coverage on a tight end or play plenty of zone to protect the middle of the field. Reed, who missed one game on Dec. 4 at Arizona and was an ineffectual decoy the past two weeks vs. Philadelphia and Carolina, has been limited by a shoulder injury, posting two catches on two targets.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
--Out: S Su'a Cravens (upper arm), CB Quinton Dunbar (concussion)
--Questionable: DE Chris Baker (ankle), LB Will Compton (knee), LB Terence Garvin (illness), LB Ryan Kerrigan (elbow), QB Colt McCoy (illness), TE Jordan Reed (shoulder), LB Martrell Spaight (shoulder)
CHICAGO BEARS
--Out: DT Eddie Goldman (ankle), G Eric Kush (concussion)
--Questionable: CB Bryce Callahan (knee), RB Ka'Deem Carey (shoulder), QB David Fales (right thumb), CB Cre'von LeBlanc (knee), DE Cornelius Washington (back), LB Willie Young (knee)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Bears ILB Jerrell Freeman. The return of Freeman from a performance-enhancing drug policy violation might not appear a major point of relief. Freeman is an understated player, though, and remains the team's leading tackler even after missing the past four games. "I definitely think he's a good addition," Bears coach John Fox said. Packers receiver-turned-running back Ty Montgomery rolled for 162 yards against the Bears last week and the group needs a boost at stuffing the run. Freeman could be it.
FAST FACTS: Redskins TE Jordan Reed has dominated the Bears with 18 catches for 254 yards and two touchdowns in two meetings. ... Chicago RB Jordan Howard has rushed for 1,059 yards and six touchdowns this season, and he has a legitimate chance to make franchise history by breaking Matt Forte's rookie record of 1,258 rushing yards in 2008.
PREDICTION: The Redskins present some of the same challenges to the Bears that cost Chicago last week against Green Bay. Unless rookie RB Jordan Howard helps Chicago hog the ball, it's another lost weekend for Bears fans.
OUR PICK: Redskins, 24-20.
--Jeff Reynolds
San Diego Chargers (5-9) at Cleveland Browns (0-14)
KICKOFF: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, FirstEnergy Stadium. TV: CBS, Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots.
SERIES HISTORY: 25th meeting. The Chargers lead the series, 15-8-1. Among the more memorable games in this series was a 2004 contest in frigid Cleveland, where the Chargers blanked the Browns 21-0. A.J. Smith, the general manager of that team, greeted each player entering the locker room as the victory clinched the Chargers' first AFC West title since 1994. The victory was that much sweeter with former Browns coach Marty Schottenheimer directing the Chargers.
GAMEDATE: 12/24/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: According to Cleveland coach Hue Jackson, the Browns must be wary of a visit by a Grinch on Saturday.
The Chargers must fly across the country to play a game on Christmas Eve in Cleveland with no chance of getting out of the AFC West basement. But Jackson said it would be a huge mistake to expect the Chargers to roll over and mail it in.
"I've watched (Chargers quarterback) Philip Rivers do that quite a few times before," Jackson said. "I know what kind of player he is, having been in that division for a little while. He's a tremendous competitor and he likes to try to win every game. So, he will have not just their offensive team but he will have that football team ready to play."
The Browns could try to put more pressure on Rivers if running back Melvin Gordon misses the game with a hip injury.
Rivers has been sacked 36 times. The Browns' pass rush, led by rookie Emmanuel Ogbah, has improved in the last two games. The Browns have 22 sacks on the season.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Browns LT Joe Thomas vs. Chargers DE Joey Bosa. This is a classic matchup between the 10-year veteran and one of the best rookies in the league. Bosa has 7.5 sacks. Thomas was just named to his 10th straight Pro Bowl. Thomas will have to be at his best to keep Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III clean.
--Chargers WR Dontrelle Inman vs. Browns CB Jamar Taylor. Browns cornerback Joe Haden will be busy guarding Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams, which means Taylor will have to shadow Inman, a 6-foot-3 receiver with 51 catches and four touchdowns on the year. Taylor is 5-foot-11, but he is a good leaper. He is battling a groin injury, but coach Hue Jackson said he expects Taylor to play against the Chargers.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
--Out: RB Melvin Gordon (hip, knee)
--Doubtful: CB Craig Mager (shoulder)
--Questionable: WR Jeremy Butler (ankle), T King Dunlap (knee), G Orlando Franklin (illness)
CLEVELAND BROWNS
--Questionable: LB Dominique Alexander (abdomen, groin), TE Randall Telfer (ankle, knee)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Chargers WR Travis Benjamin. Benjamin returns to Cleveland and just maybe the ex-Brown is returning to the Chargers' offensive mix. Benjamin changed teams as a free agent and has been a big-time disappointment. He lost his job as a returner and, while his 47-yard touchdown catch was nifty last week, it also eclipsed his receiving-yards total in the previous four games. In a thin unit, Benjamin needs to produce.
FAST FACTS: Chargers QB Philip Rivers ranks fourth in the NFL with 29 TD passes. ... San Diego rookie TE Hunter Henry has seven TD catches, tied for the lead among NFL tight ends. ... Chargers TE Antonio Gates has 109 TD catches, second most by a tight end in NFL history. ... Chargers CB Casey Hayward leads the NFL with seven interceptions and is tied for first with 19 pass deflections. ... Browns QB Robert Griffin III passed for 291 yards in his last game vs. San Diego, when he was with Washington in 2013. ... Browns LB Jamie Collins has 54 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble since joining the Browns in Week 9.
PREDICTION: Chargers QB Philip Rivers has been delivering gifts for weeks in the form of interceptions and fumbles. So the Browns and their No. 30 defense are hoping Rivers displays that holiday spirit of giving on Christmas Eve.
OUR PICK: Browns, 21-20.
--Frank Cooney
Minnesota Vikings (7-7) at Green Bay Packers (8-6)
KICKOFF: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, Lambeau Field. TV: FOX, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews.
SERIES HISTORY: 111th regular-season meeting. Packers lead series, 58-50-2. Green Bay will try to avoid a season sweep at the hands of its division rival for the first time since 2009, when Packers great Brett Favre was the quarterback for the Vikings. When the teams met in Week 2 for the first regular-season game played at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, the Vikings hung on for a 17-14 victory.
GAMEDATE: 12/24/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: Playoff picture -- Green Bay clinches a playoff berth with: 1. GB win plus WAS loss or tie plus TB loss plus ATL win or tie plus GB clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over TB.
This is Green Bay's first Christmas Eve game since 2004, when the Packers went into the old Metrodome and pulled out a 34-31 win over the Vikings to win a third straight NFC North title. While a division championship seemed a longshot when the Packers started 4-6 this season, four consecutive victories have Green Bay in wild-card playoff position. Since then, Rodgers has 10 touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating over 110.
If Green Bay can avenge a 17-14 loss at Minnesota in Week 2, the Packers would remain no worse than a game behind the division-leading Detroit Lions (9-5) going into the final week of the season.
That would set up a showdown for the title Jan. 1 at Detroit. The Packers have an earlier win over the Lions, so they would have the tiebreaker edge by completing the season sweep.
Minnesota held Green Bay to a season-low 263 yards and limited Rodgers to 213 passing yards while sacking him five times in the September game at Minneapolis. The Vikings, who started the season 5-0, are on a run of seven losses in nine games as they have been decimated by injuries.
Running back Adrian Peterson is back in uniform, but he looked nowhere near vintage form last week in his first game action since September knee surgery. The Packers will look to make the Vikings one-dimensional. Minnesota is last in the league in rushing.
The Packers are on a takeaway roll, with 10 the last two games. If Bradford has time to get rid of the football, Green Bay will have to be wary of playmaking receiver Stefon Diggs, who torched its secondary in the earlier meeting with nine catches for 182 yards and a touchdown.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Packers wide receivers vs. Vikings defensive backs. Minnesota comes into Lambeau Field short-handed in the secondary. FS Harrison Smith is unlikely to play because of an ankle injury. The Vikings also could be without cornerback Trae Waynes because of a concussion. Having Pro Bowl pick Xavier Rhodes at cornerback could be essential as Minnesota tries to keep up with Green Bay's extensive group of pass catchers for Aaron Rodgers. Rhodes didn't play in Minnesota's Week 2 win over the visiting Packers because of a knee injury. He figures to be matched up with Jordy Nelson, who leads the league with 12 touchdown receptions and needs 18 catches the last two games to attain 100 for the first time in his productive career. Nelson led the Packers with five catches for 73 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown, in the earlier three-point loss to the Vikings.
--Packers pass rushers vs. Vikings offensive line. Minnesota's makeshift group up front amid a slew of injuries has been a laughingstock for much of the season. Still, quarterback Sam Bradford has been sacked just 33 times, only three more than Rodgers. When the teams met in September, the Packers managed to sack Bradford four times. Outside linebacker Julius Peppers was in on two of those sacks, getting credit for 1 1/2. Peppers has been a difference maker for Green Bay's defense down the stretch. He has four of his 7 1/2 sacks (No. 2 on the team) in the last five games. He also forced and recovered a fumble by Chicago's Matt Barkley in the Packers' last-second road win last Sunday. Peppers could have his way with young left tackle T.J. Clemmings on Saturday.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
--Out: G Brandon Fusco (concussion), RB Zach Line (concussion), RB Adrian Peterson (knee, groin), WR Laquon Treadwell (ankle)
--Questionable: WR Stefon Diggs (hip), S Harrison Smith (ankle)
GREEN BAY PACKERS
--Out: LB Jayrone Elliott (hand), RB James Starks (concussion)
--Questionable: WR Randall Cobb (ankle), LB Nick Perry (hand), CB Damarious Randall (shoulder), C J.C. Tretter (knee)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson. Peterson said after the Colts game that he'll play at Lambeau Field. On Wednesday, after missing practice because of "nicks" sustained in the Colts game, he said he wants to play but was taking things "one day at a time." If he plays, it could be his last game as a Viking if, as expected, the Vikings are eliminated from the playoff race this weekend.
FAST FACTS: The Packers are 5-1-1 at home against the Vikings since 2010. ... Peterson has 1,779 rushing yards (104.6 per game) and 13 rush TDs in 17 career meetings.
PREDICTION: The Packers get their playoff mojo rolling and bounce Minnesota from the playoff picture with a convincing victory, adding to the idea that Green Bay will again be a disruptive -- and feared -- factor in the NFC playoffs.
OUR PICK: Packers, 29-17.
--Jeff Reynolds
Tennessee Titans (8-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12)
KICKOFF: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, EverBank Field. TV: CBS, Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beuerlein.
SERIES HISTORY: 44th regular-season meeting. The Titans lead the series, 24-19, and have won the last two matchups, including a 36-22 verdict on Oct. 27 in Nashville.
GAMEDATE: 12/24/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: The Titans can't afford to overlook the Jaguars. The Jaguars are 2-12 and just fired coach Gus Bradley after losing a 13-0 lead last Sunday at Houston. Doug Marrone comes in as Jacksonville's interim coach, and the Titans know full well how dangerous that situation can be. That's because that was them a year ago. Having fired Ken Whisenhunt seven games into the 2015 season, Mike Mularkey managed to catch lightning in a bottle in his first game with an upset win at New Orleans.
With an interim coach and long eliminated from playoff consideration, the Jaguars are likely to play as if they have nothing to lose, and dashing the Titans' postseason hopes could be a season-maker for Jacksonville.
The Titans ran at will in the first matchup. But the Jacksonville defense has been solid since then and is now ranked in the top 10. The Titans won't veer off course, sticking with the run and using it to set up shots for Marcus Mariota downfield. Mariota has had big games against the Jaguars in his young career and has hurt them with his running as well as his throwing.
Defensively, the Titans will try to make the Jags one-dimensional and put the game on the shoulders of struggling Jacksonville QB Blake Bortles, who played poorly in the first meeting and has not had a strong season.
For the Jaguars, it's run the ball better and stop the run better. In the first meeting, Jacksonville allowed a season-high 214 yards and was held to a season-low 48 yards, the third time in their first seven games that opponents had held the Jaguars to 48.
With Bortles continuing to struggle, the ground game has to come through with a solid effort for the Jaguars to have any chance of winning. Bortles has thrown for more than 202 yards just once in his last five games, all of which have ended in losses. Jacksonville will have to find a way to stop the 1-2 combination of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, who ran for 183 yards in the first meeting.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Titans QB Marcus Mariota vs. Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey has been steadily improving and is coming off a big game last week against the Texans. Mariota would like to exploit the Jaguars if he can, much like he did in the first meeting .
--Jaguars LT Jermey Parnell vs. Titans DT Jurrell Casey. Any hope of the Jaguars having success in the running game will likely hinge on Parnell being able to get the advantage over Casey. It won't be an easy task. Casey isn't having the best year of his career, but it's been good enough to get him selected to the Pro Bowl for a second straight year, this time as a starter for the AFC team. He missed the game against Denver two weeks ago (foot injury) but played last week and should be ready to go Sunday. His 28 sacks his first five years in the league are fifth among defensive tackles, but he has just three this year. Parnell has been solid for the Jaguars, with 14 consecutive starts. Parnell was part of the 2014 Dallas line that helped DeMarco Murray lead the NFL with a franchise-record 1,845 rushing yards.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
TENNESSEE TITANS
--Out: CB Jason McCourty (chest)
--Questionable: LB Sean Spence (ankle)
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
--Out: WR Arrelious Benn (concussion), DT Jordan Hill (calf), WR Allen Hurns (hamstring), LB Sean Porter (hamstring), RB Denard Robinson (ankle), WR Neal Sterling (concussion)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Titans RT Jack Conklin. Not only was Conklin an alternate for the Pro Bowl, the rookie tackle has been a key cog all season on the offensive line. That has been most evident the past two games, during which Conklin has held down vaunted pass rushers from the Broncos and Chiefs. He managed to shut out KC's Justin Houston last week.
FAST FACTS: Titans QB Marcus Mariota has five passing TDs, one INT, 123 rushing yards and a rushing TD in the past two meetings. He completed 18 of 22 passes (81.8 percent) for 270 yards with two TDs in the last meeting. ... Titans RB DeMarco Murray ranks second in the NFL with 1,224 rushing yards. Since 2014, he leads the league with 3,771 yards and is second with 28 rushing TDs. ... Titans rookie RB Derrick Henry has three rushing TDs in the past three games, including two last week. ... Jaguars QB Blake Bortles has 659 passing yards, eight TDs and no interceptions in the past two meetings. Since 2015, he has 56 pass TDs, eighth-most in the NFL. ... Jaguars RB T.J. Yeldon has 274 scrimmage yards and a rushing TD in the past three meetings. ... Jaguars WR Allen Robinson has 336 receiving yards and three TD catches in the past three meetings. Since 2015, he has 20 receiving TDs, tied for third in the NFL.
PREDICTION: For the first time in years, the Titans have to guard against overconfidence. A shot at the AFC South title and a playoff spot in a Week 17 showdown with Houston is theirs for the taking as long as they don't overlook the Jaguars. The firing of Bradley and insertion of Marrone could give the Jaguars some motivation, but can their offensive and defensive lines match the Titans? Doubtful.
OUR PICK: Titans, 27-21.
--Bucky Dent
New York Jets (4-10) at New England Patriots (12-2)
KICKOFF: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, Gillette Stadium. TV: CBS, Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn.
SERIES HISTORY: 113th regular-season meeting. The Patriots lead the series, 58-53-1, and have won four of the last five, including a 22-17 victory on Nov. 27 in the Meadowlands.
GAMEDATE: 12/24/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: Playoff picture -- The Patriots have clinched AFC East title and first-round bye. New England clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with: 1. NE win plus OAK loss or tie OR
2. NE tie plus OAK loss.
Offensively, the Patriots have proven they can be a balanced team, capable of throwing it 50-plus times, as they did in the first meeting with the Jets, or running it 30-plus times, as they've done on five occasions. New England continues to evolve without Rob Gronkowski and with LeGarrette Blount and the ground game producing.
This week, Josh McDaniels may look to throw early and run later against a Jets defense that's equally susceptible to both, especially with the questionable effort and motivation of New York's talented veteran defensive linemen. Assuming New England's line can continue its impressive play up front, Tom Brady should be able to go after Darrelle Revis and Co. in the back end. Look for Dion Lewis to continue to be a major factor as a runner out of passing sets, as well as catching passes. Clearly, Julian Edelman remains the focal point of the short passing attack, while Malcolm Mitchell and Chris Hogan will get their shots on the outside.
Matt Patricia's first goal for the Patriots' defense will be to shut down Matt Forte, Bilal Powell and the Jets' running game. That shouldn't be too much of an issue considering how well New England has been playing up front, led by defensive tackle Alan Branch and newly minted Pro Bowl linebacker Dont'a Hightower. If New England succeeds at keeping the Jets' ground game in check, it will put pressure on New York's quarterbacks -- likely youngster Bryce Petty, who is dealing with a chest injury.
New England has mixed both zone and man coverages of late with just enough pressure looks to keep opposing passers off balance. That should be the plan again, although Patricia will not do so to the point that it opens up big-play opportunities for the Jets' bigger receivers.
What can the Jets possibly do to give inconsistent and accuracy-challenged Petty a chance behind a makeshift offensive line? The only chance at pulling the mammoth upset is to dominate time of possession, so once again, expect plenty of shotgun snaps for Petty and a reliance on checkdowns to Powell. Bill Belichick is likely to take away WRs Robby Anderson and Brandon Marshall, so the Jets will need to hope the piecemeal approach works in solving a bend-but-don't-break defense.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--DE Muhammad Wilkerson and DE Sheldon Richardson vs. LT Nate Solder and RT Marcus Cannon. Patriots QB Tom Brady, no fan of being hit, could barely move in the pocket when the two teams played on Nov. 27, yet he wasn't sacked once. Once again, this would be a terrific time for Wilkerson or Richardson to live up to their salaries and perceived values and actually get some pressure on the best player in football.
--Jets RB Bilal Powell vs. Patriots MLB Dont'a Hightower. Hightower is the man in the middle of the New England run defense that's risen to No. 4 in the NFL. He was elected to his first Pro Bowl this week, but he's once again battling a knee injury that has limited him in practice. Powell has exploded for 200-plus yards combined in the last two weeks to lead the Jets' ground game. The veteran is averaging 5.7 yards per carry and poses a major challenge for Hightower and the middle of the Patriots' front.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
NEW YORK JETS
--Out: LB Lorenzo Mauldin (ankle), DT Steve McLendon (hamstring)
--Doubtful: RB Matt Forte (knee, shoulder)
--Questionable: WR Brandon Marshall (shoulder, back), RB Khiry Robinson (lower leg), DE Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle)
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
--Out: WR Danny Amendola (ankle)
--Questionable: TE Martellus Bennett (ankle, shoulder), QB Tom Brady (thigh), LB Dont'a Hightower (knee), S Jordan Richards (knee), WR Matt Slater (foot)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Patriots G Joe Thuney. New England's impressive rookie has started all 14 games. But, his play has started to slip, including a pair of sacks allowed last Sunday in Denver. As he works late into the season, working past the rookie wall, Thuney will face another challenge against a talented, physical Jets defensive line.
FAST FACTS: Jets QB Bryce Petty has 492 passing yards (246 per game) in the past two games. ... Jets RB Bilal Powell has 341 scrimmage yards (170.5 per game) and two rushing TDs in past two games. He had 11 catches last week. ... Jets WR Brandon Marshall has 182 receiving yards and three TD catches in the past two games vs. the Patriots. Since entering the league in 2006, he ranks second with 939 catches and 12,033 receiving yards. ... Patriots QB Tom Brady has 23 pass TDs and four INTs in the past 12 games against the Jets. He passed for 286 yards and two TDs in the last meeting. ... RB LeGarrette Blount has a franchise record and NFL-leading 15 rushing TDs. He aims for his fourth game in a row with a rushing TD. ... Since 2013, Patriots WR Julian Edelman ranks fifth in the NFL with 343 receptions.
PREDICTION: With a win and an Oakland loss to Indianapolis, the Patriots could clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. While they can't control the events in Oakland, they can certainly control what happens in Foxboro against a Jets team that has appeared to lack motivation in the last three weeks. This should be a breeze for Brady and company.
OUR PICK: Patriots, 31-13.
--Bucky Dent
Indianapolis Colts (7-7) at Oakland Raiders (11-3)
KICKOFF: Saturday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Oakland Coliseum. TV: CBS, Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson.
SERIES HISTORY: 14th meeting. The Raiders lead the series, 7-6. This game marks the 39th anniversary of the Raiders' historic 37-31 double-overtime playoff victory against the Colts, who were then in Baltimore. That game remains the fifth longest in NFL history and included the Ghost to the Post pass from Ken Stabler to Dave Casper. While that 42-yard pass gained a nickname, it was a 10-yard pass from Stabler to Casper 43 seconds into the second overtime that decided the game, 37-31, on that Christmas eve. The Raiders flew back to Oakland, landing in the wee hours of Christmas Day 1977, Stabler's 32nd birthday. That was the last playoff win for future Hall of Famers Stabler and coach John Madden.. The Raiders lost the AFC Championship game a week later in Denver.
GAMEDATE: 12/24/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: Playoff picture -- Raiders have clinched a playoff berth. Oakland clinches AFC West division title and a first-round bye with: 1. OAK win plus KC loss or tie OR 2. OAK tie plus KC loss.
The list of things necessary to put the Colts in the playoffs is too long to even attempt. Try back next week. Tennessee and Houston each must lose both remaining games for the Colts to have a shot.
The Raiders are in and trying to get that first-round bye, but are concerned over the injured pinky of QB Derek Carr. Since the Nov. 27 injury, the Raiders have run 231 plays from either the shotgun or pistol formations, where the quarterback is at least four yards behind the center.
The inability to take a snap over center limits the running game. Although most of the same plays can be run from the pistol, the timing is different and often reduces the momentum of that back after a handoff.
Coach Jack Del Rio conceded the exclusivity of shotgun snaps in the red zone were problematic.
"It's an issue we're working through," Del Rio said. "At some point when we feel better about going under center, we will."
Since the injury, Carr has completed 53.3 percent of his passes (65 of 122) for 721 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions, a passer rating of 75.2. A passer rating that was 101.2 at the time of the injury has dropped to 95.2.
The Colts are concerned about the health of their own beat-up QB, especially against a Raiders defensive front that is terrorizing offenses. The Colts' offensive line has allowed 40 sacks this year, with QB Andrew Luck getting sacked 37 times.
However, the same Raiders defense is also vulnerable, ranking 26th in the league in generosity as measured by yards yielded per game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Raiders WR Michael Crabtree vs. Colts CB Rashaan Melvin. If recent weeks are any indication, Vontae Davis will spend much of his time following Amari Cooper, who will probably also draw occasional additional help. That will leave Crabtree, who leads the Raiders with 77 catches (for 966 yards) and eight touchdowns, with some one-on-one coverage. And Crabtree has unquestionably made the most important catches for the Raiders all season, from Week 1 (a two-point conversion to win) to Week 15 (a 13-yard touchdown from Derek Carr).
--Raiders DE Khalil Mack and LB Bruce Irvin vs. Colts LT Anthony Costanzo. Costanzo has started all 14 games for the Colts at left tackle on an OL that has undergone plenty of switching and substituting because of injuries. He will have his hands full with either Mack or Irvin, whom the Raiders will often flop to gain matchup advantages. Mack has 11 sacks and had eight pressures last week when his eight-game streak with a sack was snapped. Irvin has seven sacks, including five in his last five games and two against the Chargers.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
--Out: LB Chris Carter (shoulder)
--Questionable: CB Rashaan Melvin (knee), T Joe Reitz (back)
OAKLAND RAIDERS
--Out: LB Shilique Calhoun (knee), S Karl Joseph (toe), DT Stacy McGee (ankle)
--Questionable: WR Amari Cooper (shoulder), WR Michael Crabtree (finger), G Kelechi Osemele (ankle), LB Perry Riley (hamstring), LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring), DT Dan Williams (foot)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Colts rookie OT Le'Raven Clark. After struggling during training camp and the preseason, Clark had been relegated to the bench for most of the season. He had seen spot playing time, but the number of plays were few. So it came as somewhat of a surprise that Clark played as well as he did in the Colts' 34-6 win at Minnesota last week. He got the start when veteran OT Joe Reitz was forced to miss the game with a back injury. Clark held his own against one of the NFL's better defensive fronts.
FAST FACTS: Colts QB Andrew Luck has eight TD passes and two interceptions in his past three games. Since 2012, he has 128 TD passes, third most by an NFL player in his first five seasons. ... Colts RB Frank Gore, who spent most of his career across the bay with the 49ers, rushed for 101 yards last week. He has 1,142 yards from scrimmage this season and is one of four in NFL history with 1,000 in at least 11 seasons. ... Raiders QB Derek Carr has thrown 13 TD passes and three INTs in the last eight games. ... Raiders RB Latavius Murray is tied for fourth in the NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns. ... Oakland WR Amari Cooper ranks third in the AFC with 1,038 receiving yards.
PREDICTION: Carr and Luck renew a rivalry that began as Texas high school stars. Carr won their only head-to-head meeting (31-29) and, bad pinky notwithstanding, should reprise his prep success on Saturday.
OUR PICK: Raiders, 35-28.
--Frank Cooney
San Francisco 49ers (1-13) at Los Angeles Rams (4-10)
KICKOFF: Saturday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. TV: FOX, Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale.
SERIES HISTORY: 135th meeting. The 49ers lead the series, 67-64-3. The 49ers won the last meeting, which represents their only win of the season. It came in a 28-0 blowout on the opening weekend on a nationally televised Monday night game.
GAMEDATE: 12/24/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: A lot has changed for both teams since the opener. Both have changed starting quarterbacks. Both have suffered injuries along the offensive line. Both have been consistently outcoached week in and week out.
Los Angeles is last in the NFL at 14.1 points per game. San Francisco is 26th at 18.9 ppg.
Both are in the bottom half of the NFL in offensive production, especially in the passing game. Led first by Case Keenum and now by struggling rookie Jared Goff, the Rams average 200 passing yards per game, 29th in the NFL.
The Rams' offense is last in the NFL at 278.8 yards per game overall. The Rams have the 2015 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, running back Todd Gurley, yet are 31st in the NFL in rushing with just 78.6 yards a game.
If the offense were better, the unit could take advantage of a banged-up and porous 49ers defense. San Francisco ranks last in the NFL in points (31), yards (424.9) and rushing yards (176.3) allowed. If Gurley is going to rush for over 100 yards in 2016, this has to be the game.
With Blaine Gabbert and now Colin Kaepernick running the offense, the 49ers are the worst passing team in the NFL, averaging 176.2 yards.
The Rams have been good against the pass and rank 11th overall, giving up 337.5 yards per game. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald continues his dominance of offensive linemen and was rewarded this week with his third Pro Bowl nod.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--49ers RB Carlos Hyde vs. Rams run defense. Hyde is back at full strength after a midseason shoulder injury, and that's bad news for the Rams. Even though they knew he was coming, the Rams allowed Hyde to rush for 88 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener.
--Rams RB Todd Gurley vs. 49ers run defense. Gurley hasn't had nearly the season the Rams had anticipated, and that began with a 17-carry, 47-yard flop in the season-opening loss to the 49ers. San Francisco has gone on to become the worst run defense in the league, far worse than the one that saw Gurley burn them for 133 yards and a touchdown the last time he had a home game against the 49ers.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
--Doubtful: CB Dontae Johnson (groin), T Joe Staley (hamstring)
--Questionable: DT Glenn Dorsey (knee, ribs), C Marcus Martin (ankle)
LOS ANGELES RAMS
--Doubtful: S Maurice Alexander (concussion), CB Lamarcus Joyner (ankle), WR Mike Thomas (hip)
--Questionable: WR Bradley Marquez (knee)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR Kenny Britt. He leads the team in receiving yards (987) and receptions (67), which are both career bests. His 987 yards are the fifth-most among NFC pass catchers. If Britt surpasses 1,000 yards, he will become the first receiver to surpass the century mark since Torry Holt in 2007.
FAST FACTS: 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick has 11 passing TDs and two interceptions in his past seven games. In his past five starts vs. the Rams, he has thrown for 1,184 yards, seven TDs and no interceptions. ... 49ers RB Carlos Hyde has 580 scrimmage yards in his past five games and has rushed for five touchdowns in his past four games vs. the NFC West. He had 88 rushing yards and two TDs in the last meeting. ... 49ers LB Ahmad Brooks has five sacks in his past seven division road games. ... Rams DT Aaron Donald has 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in his past two games vs. the NFC West. Since 2014, he leads NFL DTs with 27 sacks. ... Rams DT Michael Brockers has four sacks in the past six meetings.
PREDICTION: Neither team can score, so the onus just might be on the defenses to provide some points. In that case, we're going with the Rams to hand the 49ers a 14th straight loss.
OUR PICK: Rams, 16-12.
--Chris Cluff
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) at New Orleans Saints (6-8)
KICKOFF: Saturday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Mercedes-Benz Superdome. TV: FOX, Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Laura Okmin.
SERIES HISTORY: 50th regular-season meeting. Saints lead series, 30-19. After the Saints won seven consecutive games in the series from 2011 to 2014, sweeping the season series in 2012-14, the Bucs have won two of the last three matchups. They ended the Saints' run with a 26-19 victory in Week 2 a year ago and won the first game this season, 16-11, on Dec. 11 in Tampa. The Saints have won four of the last five games at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the site of Saturday's game, and are 6-4 at home against the Bucs since Sean Payton took over in 2006. This is the 50th game in a series that started on Dec. 11, 1977, with the Bucs claiming the franchise's first regular-season win after 26 losses with a stunning 33-14 win at the Superdome.
GAMEDATE: 12/24/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: Tampa Bay can clinch a playoff berth with a win and losses by Green Bay, Detroit and Washington.
Playing the same team twice in 13 days is unusual. With so much on the line for the Bucs, who won the first meeting 16-11, it's also dangerous.
The temptation of any winning team is to repeat the game plan. But you know the Saints will make adjustments and defensive coordinator Mike Smith knows he has to throw some new wrinkles at Drew Brees.
The problem is that the Bucs will be playing the chess match against new pieces. Center Max Unger is back, which means the Bucs may not be as successful pressuring Brees using only a four-man rush.
The Saints also will have rookie Michael Thomas back, meaning the Bucs' secondary will be stretched thin trying to cover him and Brandin Cooks.
The Saints' offense will be on a mission after picking up just 294 yards in the Week 14 loss to the Bucs. Brees completed 25 of 41 throws for 257 yards and three interceptions and was sacked once as the Saints had all kinds of trouble trying to get anything going and failed to get the ball in the end zone.
Defensively, the Saints turned in a remarkable performance against the Bucs that went to waste. The Saints allowed just 270 yards and one touchdown, limiting Jameis Winston to 16 completions in 26 attempts for 184 yards and sacking him twice while bringing heavy pressure most of the day. The key will be in doing a good job on wide receiver Mike Evans and getting enough of a pass rush on Winston to make him uncomfortable in the pocket and potentially hurry his throws.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Saints QB Drew Brees vs. Bucs secondary. Brees was seeing red after the Bucs intercepted him three times, including a final one by safety Keith Tandy with 51 seconds to play near midfield when the Saints were desperately trying to pull out a victory with a touchdown. Brees bounced back from a subpar performance in which he completed just 25 of 41 passes for 257 yards by torching the NFL's second-ranked pass defense in a win over the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday, so he'll be looking to make the Bucs pay as well for his miserable day two weeks ago.
--Bucs WR Mike Evans vs. Saints CB Sterling Moore. In their first meeting two weeks ago, Moore held Evans to 42 yards on four receptions. Moore stayed stride-for-stride with Evans on one throw into the end zone and broke perfectly on the ball to knock it away. Moore, a former Bucs player, will have his work cut out for him again, with Evans trying to add to his season totals of 84 catches for 1,159 yards and 10 touchdowns.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
--Out: T Gosder Cherilus (groin, ankle), T Demar Dotson (concussion), DE William Gholston (elbow)
--Questionable: DT Gerald McCoy (foot)
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
--Out: CB Delvin Breaux (shoulder)
--Questionable: LB Dannell Ellerbe (foot), RB John Kuhn (hip), LB Craig Robertson (shoulder), C Max Unger (foot)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Saints CB B.W. Webb. A four-year veteran who previously played with the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys, Webb has been a big help to the Saints' banged-up secondary since being signed after Week 1. With Delvoin Breaux missing eight games and P.J. Williams going down for the season in Week 2, Webb has played in 12 games, with five starts, and leads the Saints with 13 passes defended. He has one interception and 23 tackles and has been active against the run as well.
FAST FACTS: Bucs QB Jameis Winston has eight TD passes and just one interception in the past four division games. ... Bucs RB Doug Martin has scored a rushing TD in the past two meetings and has averaged 99.2 scrimmage yards in the past six. ... WR Mike Evans is tied for second in the NFC with 10 receiving TDs and ranks third with 84 receptions. In his past three road games vs. the NFC South, he has 15 receptions for 287 yards and two TDs. ... Saints QB Drew Brees threw for 389 yards and four TDs last week. He leads the NFL with 4,559 yards and 34 TDs. In his past 10 home games vs. Tampa, he has 2,719 passing yards, 21 TDs and seven interceptions. ... Saints WR Brandin Cooks has 11 TD catches in his past 11 home games. He had career-high 186 yards and scored twice in Week 15. ... Saints WR Michael Thomas leads NFL rookies in receptions (76), yards (883) and TD catches (eight). He has caught a TD pass in two of three games vs. the NFC South.
PREDICTION: The Bucs are fighting hard to get into the postseason, but Brees and the Saints have something to prove in front of the home crowd and the Bucs' offense probably can't keep up.
OUR PICK: Saints, 24-17.
--Chris Cluff
Arizona Cardinals (5-8-1) at Seattle Seahawks (9-4-1)
KICKOFF: Saturday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CenturyLink Field. TV: FOX, Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver.
SERIES HISTORY: 36th regular-season meeting. Series tied 17-17-1. The teams played to a 6-6 tie in October, the first tie in franchise history for the Seahawks. Seattle has lost two of the last three meetings at home to the Cardinals, including a 39-32 defeat last season.
GAMEDATE: 12/24/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: The last time the Seahawks and Cardinals clashed, it was like a heavyweight championship bout between two brawlers.
Both teams have gone in opposite directions since then, as the Seahawks (9-4-1) have a chance to clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs while the Cardinals (5-8-1) are just trying to limp their way to the end of a painful, disappointing season after reaching the NFC title game a year ago.
Seattle will clinch a first-round bye with a win plus a loss by the Lions or a loss or tie by the Falcons.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, aren't nearly as strong as they were two months ago, as injuries have left them decimated at several positions. Both starting tackles are out, they no longer have wide receiver Michael Floyd, they lost starting linebacker Deone Bucannon to a season-ending ankle injury and safety Tyvon Branch to another groin injury.
Arizona still has one of the league's most feared weapons in running back David Johnson, however; he leads all non-kickers in scoring with 17 touchdowns and 104 total points. Johnson, named to his first Pro Bowl team on Tuesday, has an NFL-leading 1,938 yards from scrimmage and is one touchdown shy of setting a franchise record.
Seattle will focus its attention on slowing down Johnson, who gained 171 yards from scrimmage in the October game.
Offensively, Seattle will need improved offensive line play after being incapable of running the ball against the Rams. Dealing with pass rushers Chandler Jones and Markus Golden will be pivotal.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
--Cardinals OLB Chandler Jones vs. Seahawks LT George Fant. Fant struggled with Tampa Bay rookie DE Noah Spence three weeks ago. Jones provides a similar type of challenge that will test Fant's progress as he continues to develop as a blocker.
--Cardinals RB David Johnson vs. Seahawks MLB Bobby Wagner. Johnson was a nightmare for Seattle to handle in their first meeting in October. Wagner has already set a career-high with 145 tackles on the season and will be responsible for chasing Johnson around the field all afternoon.
FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
ARIZONA CARDINALS
--Out: CB Marcus Cooper (back, calf), T D.J. Humphries (concussion)
--Questionable: WR John Brown (illness), CB Brandon Williams (back)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
--Out: RB C.J. Prosise (shoulder)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett. After being slowed by a knee injury for the middle portion of Seattle's schedule, Lockett is beginning to hit his stride. Lockett caught seven passes for 130 yards and a touchdown last week against the Los Angeles Rams. It was his first 100-yard game of the season. He has accounted for 324 yards from scrimmage over the last three games.
FAST FACTS: Cardinals QB Carson Palmer has 990 passing yards, five TDs and one interception in his past three road games vs. division foes. He has seven TD passes and two interceptions in his past three games. ... Cardinals RB David Johnson had 108 scrimmage yards and two rushing TDs last week. He has 100 scrimmage yards in all 14 games, the longest streak to begin a season in NFL history. He leads the NFL with 1,938 scrimmage yards and 17 TDs (13 rushing). ... Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald has 1,116 career catches, the most by a player in his first 200 games. He has 27 receptions for 283 yards and two scores in his past three vs. the NFC West. ... Arizona DT Calais Campbell has three sacks and two forced fumbles in his past three games. He has 10 sacks in his past seven games in Seattle. ... Seahawks QB Russell Wilson has 34 home wins, the most by a quarterback in his first five seasons. He has 1,573 passing yards, eight TDs and two interceptions in his past six home games. In his past seven vs. Arizona, he has 11 passing TDs and two INTs. ... Seattle RB Thomas Rawls is averaging 100.7 scrimmage yards per game and has two TDs in his past three division games. ... Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin has 362 receiving yards and a TD in his past four meetings. Since 2015, he ranks second in the NFC with 20 TD catches.
PREDICTION: The Cardinals know how to win in Seattle, but the Seahawks are the more motivated team at this point. They have outscored the Cardinals 71-12 in the last two December games, but this one figures to be closer.
OUR PICK: Seahawks, 26-17.
--Chris Cluff
Cincinnati Bengals (5-8-1) at Houston Texans (8-6)
KICKOFF: Saturday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NRG Stadium. TV: NFLN, Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon, Stacey Dales.
SERIES HISTORY: Ninth regular-season meeting. The series is tied, 4-4. Since winning the first three meetings, Cincinnati has lost six of seven, including defeats in AFC wild-card playoff games in 2011 and 2012. The Texans are 3-2 as the home team.
GAMEDATE: 12/24/16
KEYS TO THE GAME: Houston can clinch the AFC South title with a win and a Tennessee loss. The Texans will try to do it with Tom Savage at quarterback. He replaced Brock Osweiler and rallied the Texans over Jacksonville last Sunday.
"We make decisions on what we think is the best way to help the team, what helps the team win," coach Bill O'Brien said. "I feel like Tom Savage gives us the best chance to win. I'm going to give him a week to prepare as the starter, see what he can do for us on Saturday night against the Bengals."
Like Osweiler before him, Savage will lean on the league's top-ranked defense. The Texans were without linebackers Whitney Mercilus and John Simon, and cornerback Johnathan Joseph against the Jaguars, and there is uncertainty about their availability for Saturday night.
The Texans are expected to throw the football more with Savage at the controls and running back Lamar Miller hurting.
Following five consecutive postseason appearances, the Bengals are striving to cap the schedule with prideful performances.
The Bengals nee
