The NFL 2015/16 Playoffs are coming at us faster than Christmas and the race to secure a playoff berth is on in Week 16.
Lots goes on the line for all the teams yet to secure a playoff position, with the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals still the only ones feeling safe after the opening 15 weeks of the season.
As always we here at Ladbrokes are offering the best NFL odds for all 16 games plus have our exclusive Footy Freaks markets going off!
Check out our NFL Footy Freaks in Week 16 as the playoffs approach plus our weekly NFL promotions!
San Diego Chargers vs Oakland Raiders
The Chargers have been pretty dismal this season and were favourites against the Dolphins last week winning 30 – 14 in their final game at Qualcomm Stadium, improving on some poor form to secure a much needed victory. After upsetting the Broncos two weeks back, last time out the Raiders lost by 10 to the NFC North leaders Green Bay getting eliminated from playoff contention for the 13th straight season. Do they have enough pride to play on and win this?
Washington Redskins vs Philadelphia Eagles
The Redskins sit on top of the NFC East positionings after their win over the Bills last week and should win again here in an intriguing clash between two very closely ranked teams. The Eagles lost by a big margin (40 – 17) to the Cardinals last week. As bad as Philadelphia have been they are still just two wins away from clinching a playoffs bid and with the home advantage in this they will be out to atone.
Indianapolis Colts vs Miami Dolphins
The Colts are second in the AFC South rankings after a six point loss to the leaders of the same division, the Houston Texans who secured their first in win in Indianapolis in franchise history, last week. This week they play the down-and-out Dolphins who went down to the Chargers last game. Matt Hasselbeck (rib) gutted out of last week’s game for Indianapolis and they now travel to Miami, with another loss possibly marking a move towards the end of the Chuck Pagano era.
Chicago Bears vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bears suffered a loss to fellow NFC North division team the Vikings last week and now play fellow Week 15 losers the Buccaneers who failed against the Rams. Tampa Bay lead the Bears in total yards, passing yards and rush yards per game this season so the stats stack up for the Buccaneers. The Bears look slow and sluggish each game and are out of playoff contention, while Tampa Bay need to get off to a better start to stay in this week’s showdown.
Cleveland Browns vs Kansas City Chiefs
The Browns went down in another blow-out (30 – 13) to the Seahawks last week and sit last in the AFC North after the loss. Kansas City meanwhile are second to the Broncos in the AFC West thanks to a big 20 point win over the Ravens. That was their eighth win on the trot and their defence and results are spot-on for this time of the season; can they make it nine straight at Arrowhead Stadium?
New England Patriots vs New York Jets
One of just three playoff-safe teams in the NFL, the Patriots lived up to favourite status last week easily accounting for the Titans and remain clear leaders in the AFC East with 12 wins. It was an inspired effort from Tom Brady who tossed two touchdown passes. They will enjoy a first-round playoff bye and confidence heading into this week’s clash. The New York Jets are next best in the division with nine wins thanks to a narrow 19 – 16 victory over the Cowboys last week, their fourth straight, but five with success at MetLife Stadium on Monday morning (AEST) looks unlikely.
Dallas Cowboys vs Buffalo Bills
Dallas have been far from inspiring of late, but did only go down to the Jets by three points last week. With just four wins they are last in the NFC East and out of postseason contention, but the Bills haven’t been much better with a 35 – 25 loss to the Redskins last week. One of the week’s nothing matches, contracts and coaching jobs only left to play for.
Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons
The Panthers were clear favourites last week and just held out the bizarre Giants to win 38 – 35 and remain easy NFC South leaders with 14 wins, double next best in the division (Falcons with 7). The Falcons finally saw some light in a very poor season beating the Jaguars 23 – 17 last week and are now second to Carolina in the division. They won’t catch them but can they beat them here?
San Francisco 49ers vs Detroit Lions
It was another loss for San Fran last week when Bengals put 10 more points on them, the playoffs now off the cards for the 49ers who finish last in the NFC West division – so far away from where they were a few years ago. The Lions are always brave in both victory and defeat and after their game against the Saints are off the playoff list. This one is for the 49ers to atone, but injury and player loss could prevent.
Houston Texans vs Tennessee Titans
The Houston Texans secured their AFC South division win pushing the Colts out of the playoffs race with a six point win last week. This week they play in Nashville away from home taking on the Titans who were well beaten by the in-form Patriots last time out. Tennessee get the home advantage, but are out of the playoffs and will be at long odds to hold off the Texans whose speedy rookie Akeem Hunt could see a bit more ball now they’re feeling safer.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Baltimore Ravens
The Steelers have been making a late charge towards the playoffs with wins over the Colts, Bengals and then their impressive 34 – 27 success over the Broncos last week. Pittsburgh are second to the Bengals now in the AFC North and play third in that division, Baltimore, this week away from home. Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is leading his team’s surge with 39 passes last week alone and if that form continues they’ll be beating the Ravens whose dreary season continued with their loss to the Chiefs last week.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs New Orleans Saints
After a season best performance to beat the Colts two weeks’ back, the Jaguars went down in the surprise loss to the recently out-of-form Falcons last week. The Saints are a confirmed non-threat missing out on a playoffs bid so this is Jacksonville’s to win away from home. It is a must win for the visitors as is their Week 17 up-comer against their division leaders Houston.
St. Louis Rams vs Cleveland Browns Seahawks
The Rams broke a lengthy losing streak two back defeating the Lions and went back-to-back thanks to a 31 – 23 win over the Buccaneers in Week 15. They chase three straight this week taking on the Seahawks in Seattle who smashed Browns 30 – 13 last game. Seattle are second in the NFC West division, three wins clear of the Rams, and can extend that with another success here.
Green Bay Packers vs Arizona Cardinals
The NFC North’s highest seeded, the Green Bay Packers enjoyed their 10th win of the season last week beating the Raiders by 10 points that followed a smart win over the Cowboys the week prior. The Packers have the Super Bowl in their sights and easily accounted for the three point line last week. This is clearly a Week 16 highlight with Arizona leading the NFC West with 12 wins including their blow-out 40 – 17 success over the Eagles last week. Both teams are flying, but which is flying higher in this must watch?
New York Giants vs Minnesota Vikings
The Giants were underdogs against the Panthers last week and did well to come within three points going down 38 – 35. The Vikings sit second to the Packers in the NFC North after an easy 38 – 17 success over the Bears and have more momentum heading into this clash at TCF Bank Stadium. New York aren’t out of the NFC East race just yet, but without back-to-back wins all season need to start stringing them together and improve on their dreadful defence.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos
The Bengals are back on top of the AFC North division thanks to a 10 point win over the 49ers last week, which they were a safe bet to do. After a poor showing against the Raiders two weeks ago, the Broncos went down again 34 – 27 to the Steelers last week. They still sit top of the AFC West and this top-of-divisions clash should be a thriller with Denver getting home advantage.