Week 16 NFL Game Watchability Rankings

Week 16 in the NFL is here, and you might be entering the weekend with your own preferences regarding which games to focus on, and which to place on the backburner.

Most of you have your favorites and fantasy players to track. But in case you’re completely neutral or need help breaking ties with regard to what to watch, we’ve ranked all 16 games from most appealing to least enticing.

Can’t-miss games

1. Colts at Cowboys (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, CBS): The Cowboys win and they have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They lose and there’s a good chance they miss the playoffs. Against a very talented Colts team, that’s exciting. Plus, we’re looking at two of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.

2. Broncos at Bengals (Monday night, ESPN): Two division leaders fighting for playoff positioning. Two great offenses, two strong defenses. A true potential AFC championship game preview.

3. Seahawks at Cardinals (Sunday night, NBC): Blowout potential exists with Ryan Lindley starting at quarterback for Arizona, but you never know with these Cards, especially at home. Regardless, it’s a huge game for both teams.

4. Eagles at Redskins (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network): With the college football regular-season out of the way, the NFL is smart to have a couple games on the penultimate Saturday of the year. This is a nice bonus with two rivals meeting up, both of whom can put a lot of points on the board. It’s also an audition for Robert Griffin III and a must-win game for Philadelphia.

Games worth watching

5. Ravens at Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): A desperate Baltimore team on the road against the potential MVP in J.J. Watt? That’s gold, especially with Watt and the Texans having nothing to lose.

6. Lions at Bears (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Everybody likes a good train wreck, and that’s what’s happening in Chicago. But could the Bears spoil Detroit’s NFC North title chances at home? I wouldn’t rule it out at all, Jay Cutler or no Jay Cutler. This’ll be fun.

7. Falcons at Saints (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): New Orleans is coming on now. They’re a team to watch. And this could basically decide who gets to host a playoff game two weeks later.

8. Browns at Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Carolina is very much alive in the divisional race and you get a second serving of Johnny Manziel. This could actually be quite entertaining.

9. Chiefs at Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Two teams desperate to stay alive in the playoff race, both with flaws but some serious talent. This’ll be entertaining, especially when Pittsburgh has the ball against that Kansas City defense.

10. Chargers at 49ers (Saturday night, CBS/NFL Network): Two talented teams, one of whom — the road underdog — needs this badly. Good Saturday night viewing.

11. Giants at Rams (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): Honestly, keep an eye out just for Odell Beckham Jr. purposes. The guy is a show.

Games to completely ignore

12. Packers at Buccaneers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): We all know what’s going to happen here.

13. Patriots at Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): We all know what’s going to happen here.

14. Bills at Raiders (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, CBS): This is one of those games you ignore unless everything else sucks and an upset is a possibility. But Buffalo should win easily.

15. Vikings at Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Both teams are eliminated and there isn’t even any Marcus Mariota drama. Nothing to see here.

16. Titans at Jaguars (Thursday night, NFL Network): Quite possibly the worst prime-time game we’ve ever had, and definitely the worst game this week. Just so unappealing in so many ways.

 

About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com (covering Super Bowls XLIV, XLV and XLVI), a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Bloguin, but his day gig has him covering all things NFC East for Bleacher Report.

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