We're almost there.
Sunday commences Week 16 of the NFL season. Four teams have clinched playoff spots. Fifteen teams are currently in position for a playoff spot or still in the hunt. NFL.com provides a handy guide to track such matters.
Keeping playoff implications in mind, we decided to pick out the best games on the schedule from now until the end of the regular season.
The end comes in two weeks. This is both exciting and wholly depressing. Let's get to it.
WEEK 16
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Raise your hand if you thought the NFC South would potentially be decided by this game. If you did, congrats. Now put your hand down -- the girl in the cubicle next to you thinks you're a crazy person.
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Want to be taken seriously as an NFC contender, Cardinals? The schedule-makers have bestowed upon you a great challenge ... and a golden opportunity.
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Beat the Gronk-less Pats and the Ravens will officially earn status as The Team Nobody Wants To Play.
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Shootout alert. The prospect of dueling 40-burgers is in play, people. If you do like defense, avoid this game like the bubonic plague.
WEEK 17
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Here's a game that could decide the winner of the NFC North. It could also be the last time you see Jay Cutler in a Bears uniform. Enough intrigue for you?
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The Ravens will steal the AFC North if they beat the Patriots and then punch the Bengals in the mouth in their house. Nobody would've predicted that a month ago, and now that wouldn't even seem all that shocking.
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Let's face it: This is the game Al and Cris are calling Sunday night. League by-laws state the Dallas Cowboys must be at the center of a Shakespearian tragedy in primetime of Week 17. Tony Romo should just stay home.
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The Cardinals need some help, but there is a scenario in which they can clinch a playoff spot and knock out the rival Niners for good measure.
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Just making sure you're still paying attention. Moving on ...
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The Chargers have a dreadful tiebreaker situation, and will need a lot of help for this game to mean something. Still, we want to see Philip Rivers slinging it and yelling at everybody in a playoff game. We're pushing positive energy into the atmosphere here.
We examine coaches on the hot seat and chat with Packers guard Josh Sitton on the latest "Around The League Podcast."
