NFL Week 16 Preview: Key Storylines & Matchups for Bettors

As the 2025 NFL regular season enters the final three weeks of action, playoff races are heating up with huge implications for seeding, division titles, and wild card spots.

Only a handful of teams have clinched postseason spots so far, leaving some major showdowns across both conferences. Some key injuries will impact NFL betting in Week 16including: Patrick Mahomes (out with a knee injury), Jayden Daniels (elbow), and Davante Adams (doubtful with hamstring).

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• Motivation varies widely. Eliminated teams like the Chiefs may lack edge, while bubble squads will put up a desperate fight.
• Overs could hit in shootouts involving high-powered offenses.
• Monitor weather for outdoor games.
• Props on rushing leaders (James Cook, De’Von Achane) and touchdown scorers (Christian McCaffrey) remain live with individual awards on the line.
• Totals are trending lower in cold-weather spots, while divisional rivalries often deliver unders due to familiarity.

Three Matchups to Watch

Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) at Chicago Bears (10-4) – A classic NFC North rivalry set for Saturday night with division crown implications — Chicago edges Green Bay in the standings, but Packer injuries (Micah Parsons out) tilt the momentum. Caleb Williams’ play-action prowess against a depleted Pack defense screams taking the over, especially if totals sit around the mid-40s.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) at Carolina Panthers (7-7) – This game holds significant importance for both teams as they battle for playoff positioning in the NFC South. The Buccaneers are looking to solidify their status at the top of the division while maintaining momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season. The Panthers are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. 

New England Patriots (11-3) at Baltimore Ravens (7-7) – The surging Patriots, fresh off a tough loss to Buffalo, visit a desperate Ravens team clinging to playoff hopes after a dominant 24-0 shutout of Cincinnati. Rookie QB Drake Maye faces a Baltimore defense allowing plenty of passing yards lately, while Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry exploit New England’s battered run defense (missing key players like DT Milton Williams and possibly LBs Spillane/Landry). Expect a hard-hitting AFC clash.

Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) at Washington Commanders (4-10) – Philadelphia can clinch the NFC East with a win, and brings in a surging offense behind Jalen Hurts. After an NFC Championship appearance last season, Washington had a tough season. With Jayden Daniels sidelined, Marcus Mariota will be back under center against a motivated Eagles squad. Lines have Philly as 6-6.5 point favorites, with public money likely piling on the road team.

Overall, Week 16 offers some nice drama, which already kicked off on Thursday with an overtime 38-37 win for the Seattle Seahawks over the Los Angeles Rams.