NFL WEEK 16 GAME PREVIEWS
TEXANS (9-5) AT BUCCANEERS (7-7) TV: 1 p.m. ET Saturday, NFL Network
Line: Texans by 31⁄2
Texans’ keys: QB Deshaun Watson needs to take advantage of Tampa Bay’s weak secondary.
Buccaneers’ keys: Let QB Jameis Winston be Jameis Winston. Over the past month, he has bounced back from early-season mistakes.
Who wins? Taking down a talented Houston team would give Tampa Bay, which has won five of its last six, confidence heading into the offseason. Buccaneers, 34-28
BILLS (10-4) AT PATRIOTS (11-3)
TV: 4:30 p.m. ET Saturday, NFL Network
Line: Patriots by 61⁄2
Bills’ keys: Maintain long and efficient possessions by featuring RB Devin Singletary against New England’s run defense.
Patriots’ keys: QB Tom Brady must avoid turnovers, even if it means New England plays an ugly and boring brand of football. The Patriots wouldn’t mind featuring RB Sony Michel for the entire game.
Who wins? If this game were in Buffalo, the Bills might win. But ... Patriots, 17-10
RAMS (8-6) AT 49ERS (11-3)
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, NFL Network
Line: 49ers by 61⁄2
Rams’ keys: Getting out to a fast start and playing from ahead allows DT Aaron Donald to wreak havoc on a San Francisco offensive line that’s starting its backup center.
49ers’ keys: The emergence of WR Deebo Samuel and the arrival of WR Emmanuel Sanders have helped QB Jimmy Garoppolo.
Who wins? The Rams’ inability to block San Francisco’s dynamic defensive front will be the difference. 49ers, 23-17
GIANTS (3-11) AT REDSKINS (3-11) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Redskins by 21⁄2
Giants’ keys: Establish a ground game with RB Saquon Barkley to open up passing game against a banged-up Washington secondary.
Redskins keys: Rushing attack featuring veteran RB Adrian Peterson will allow QB Dwayne Haskins to take a couple of shots downfield to Terry McLaurin.
Who wins? Expect big game from Haskins and McLaurin. Redskins, 24-20
SAINTS (11-3) AT TITANS (8-6) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Saints by 21⁄2
Saints’ keys: Limit a potentially lethal Tennessee ground game and force turnovers from Titans QB Ryan Tannehill (114.6 rating).
Titans’ keys: Getting the momentum early and keeping it.
Who wins? Saints have proved a better team on the road (5-1) than at home.
Saints, 24-20
JAGUARS (5-9) AT FALCONS (5-9) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Falcons by 71⁄2
Jaguars’ keys: Establish the run early to bring more defenders in the box to take advantage of Atlanta’s undermanned secondary.
Falcons’ keys: Come out extremely aggressive. This team has started games slowly all season.
Who wins? Falcons have a better QB (Matt Ryan) and headed in right direction since Week 9 bye. Falcons, 24-17
RAVENS (12-2) AT BROWNS (6-8)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Ravens by 91⁄2
Ravens’ keys: In the first meeting, Baltimore had no answers for Browns RB Nick Chubb. Getting an interception or two from CB Brandon Carr or CB Marcus Peters would help.
Browns’ keys: QB Baker Mayfield needs to consistently find the proper target and pick holes in the Ravens’ defense without sacrificing touches for Chubb. Who wins? Cleveland won the meeting in Baltimore but the Ravens keep burning toward the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Ravens, 30-21
PANTHERS (5-9) AT COLTS (6-8)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Line: Colts by 71⁄2
Panthers’ keys: Front seven will need to prioritize stopping Colts RB Marlon Mack.
Colts’ keys: Offense must run through Mack while QB Jacoby Brissett must find a few plays downfield, something he has struggled to do consistently.
Who wins? Colts, despite recent struggles, will bounce back. Colts, 22-19
BENGALS (1-13) AT DOLPHINS (3-11) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Line: Dolphins by 11⁄2
Bengals’ keys: Get RB Joe Mixon going and keep the offense in third-and-short so Miami will be unable to call its aggressive blitzing with consistency.
Dolphins’ keys: Look for QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to continue to take calculated risks and give WR DeVante Parker and TE Mike Gesicki opportunities in traffic.
Who wins? The Dolphins seem to have a critical advantage in the coaching department. Dolphins, 27-17
STEELERS (8-6) AT JETS (5-9)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Steelers by 21⁄2
Steelers’ keys: Safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds have potential to make life miserable for Jets QB Sam Darnold, coming off a two-turnover performance against the Ravens. Jets’ keys: Need Darnold to play like a franchise quarterback. RB Le’Veon Bell will get a chance to stick it to his former team if coach Adam Gase gives him some chances.
Who wins? The mini-bye after a Week 15 Thursday game will give the Jets a chance to get healthy, but that won’t make a difference. Steelers, 24-13
RAIDERS (6-8) AT CHARGERS (5-9)
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Chargers by 61⁄2
Raiders’ keys: Will have to rely on RB Josh Jacobs, a favorite for the offensive rookie of the year award.
Chargers’ keys: Philip Rivers having time to throw against a pass defense that’s near the bottom of the league. Who wins? Chargers have dominated the Raiders on their home turf in recent years and should benefit from the return of injured starters who missed the first meeting. Chargers, 21-14
LIONS (3-10-1) AT BRONCOS (5-9)
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Broncos by 61⁄2
Lions’ keys: WR Kenny Golladay already has reached 1,000 receiving yards and 10 TDs, and he will be a big test for Denver’s defense.
Broncos’ keys: Take pressure off rookie QB Drew Lock by trying to control the game with RBs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman.
Who wins? Lock has energized the Broncos, and OLB Von Miller needs three sacks to reach double digits for sixth consecutive year. Broncos, 24-14
COWBOYS (7-7) AT EAGLES (7-7)
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Cowboys by 11⁄2
Cowboys’ keys: Ride QB Dak Prescott – who has been dealing with a finger injury since Week 14 and now a possible shoulder injury – and WR Amari Cooper, who dominated Philadelphia in their last three meetings. On defense, pressure QB Carson Wentz, make tackles on RBs Miles Sanders and Boston Scott in the open field and contain TE Zach Ertz.
Eagles’ keys: To win the division, Eagles will have to lean on Sanders and Scott. The Eagles are short-handed at WR, so look for them to start with an up-tempo offense that features plenty of run-pass options and play action.
Who wins? Eagles control their destiny. A win would give them an opportunity to secure a division crown and rest their starters in the regular-season finale.
Eagles, 31-21 CARDINALS (4-9-1) AT SEAHAWKS (11-3) TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Seahawks by 91⁄2
Cardinals’ keys: Their sole job in this outing is to play spoiler.
Seahawks’ keys: Seattle has dropped two home games this season and cannot afford another loss. QB Russell Wilson needs to turn to his veteran WRs, along with rookie wideout DK Metcalf, to capture early momentum. Who wins? This game is too important to Seattle. Seahawks, 31-10
CHIEFS (10-4) AT BEARS (7-7) TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC
Line: Chiefs by 41⁄2
Chiefs’ keys: QB Patrick Mahomes needs to rekindle the spark, especially against a good Chicago defense.
Bears’ keys: Keep Mahomes from getting outside the pocket to buy time for WRs Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman. Bears QB Michell Trubisky needs to be smart using his mobility.
Who wins? Trubisky has been playing well but Mahomes is the superior quarterback. Chiefs, 24-17
PACKERS (11-3) AT VIKINGS (10-4)
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN Line: Vikings by 31⁄2
Packers’ keys: If the Packers can exploit Minnesota’s secondary the way other teams have, they should be able to put a bow on their first NFC North championship since 2016.
Vikings’ keys: QB Kirk Cousins is probably having the best season of his career, but people won’t care about it if he can’t win these big games. RB Dalvin Cook’s status uncertain.
Who wins? Vikings are 6-0 at home this season. This one could come down to a Dan Bailey field goal. Vikings, 27-24