The NFL Roundup 2019: Week 16

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

Well my fellow football nerds, the end of the regular season is nigh. The playoff picture is nearly assembled, the hot seat is getting hotter for some coaches, and some firings are already underway. But while many of us are already starting to shift mental gears toward the post season and in turn the Super Bowl, it is important we keep our focus on these final two weeks of regular football. Because as this season has proven to us already, anything can and will happen come game time and there are plenty of important matchups still awaiting us, this week included. So, with that in mind, let’s take a moment and examine the big storylines that are brewing and the most fascinating games to watch as Week 16 in the NFL prepares to get underway.
 
Will the Jacksonville Jaguars respond to their owner’s bold message?
If there’s one thing we can all agree upon when it comes to the Jacksonville Jaguars, it would have to be that their owner; Shad Khan, is a bold and fearless man. Because it takes some serious guts to just fire a guy like Tom Coughlin, but he had no qualms in doing so and I think the decision to start at the top was meant to send a message to the team. In that, either you perform, or you are gone, and one has to wonder… will the team hear what the big boss is saying? My hope is that they do, because there is some talent on this team and some solid coaches and clearly Mr. Khan felt that Coughlin was holding this team back and really, the only way to know if the team is buying what Mr. Khan is selling, is to see how they perform this weekend. For if they come out and play with heart, they heard the message loud and clear. But if it is more of the same, then expect the boss to continue to hand out pink slips when the season comes to a close.
 
Don’t be surprised if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers upset the Houston Texans.
Earlier this season, I was calling for the Bucs to bench Jameis Winston because he was playing some stinky football for certain. But I am a firm believer in giving credit where it is due and #3 has absolutely turned his season around. Granted he’s still throwing picks like Oprah gave out cars back in the day, but he’s also tossing touchdowns and making big plays and he’s a big reason why Tampa Bay is still a topic of discussion late in the season. And in all honestly, when one considers the fact that the Texans take lesser teams for granted when they take the field, the Bucs have a solid chance at stunning Houston this weekend. So, if Jameis comes out and lets it loose, don’t be shocked if he helps to upset the Texans again because he is looking to make more writers like myself, eat a little humble pie, and he’s doing a fine job of it as the season comes to a close.
 
Who will rebound in the Rams/Niners game?
Make no mistake about it, last week was a rough one for both the Rams and the Niners, since they each suffered devastating losses against the Cowboys and the Falcons respectively, and with the playoffs on the line for both teams, who is going to step up and rebound with a win this Saturday? Honestly? I haven’t a clue. Because I simply don’t trust the defense of either squad when all is said and done, since everyone has figured out how to beat both of these once vaunted defenses with little effort. So really, I think the team that rebounds, is the one that figures out how to tighten up their weaknesses on the defensive side of the ball. But even then, it may take four quarters for that to happen. So, don’t be shocked if this one ends up a being a shootout until the very end when someone on the D finally makes an important play.

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend 

Buffalo Bills (10-4) at New England Patriots (11-3)
Gillette Stadium – Foxboro, Massachusetts
Saturday, December 21, 2019 – 4:30 p.m. EST
NFL Network / Amazon Prime Video / Fox 

​Normally this time of year, no one would give much thought to this particular matchup. For the Bills would have a losing record and the Pats would either have or be on the cusp of clenching the number one seed. But this time around, things are quite different. Because Buffalo’s defense is playing magnificent football and QB Josh Allen is driving the offense in seamless fashion and the Patriots, well they’re a mess. Tom Brady can’t complete a five-yard slant to save his life and their once fierce defense is about as tame as they come. Which means, there is a fair chance that Buffalo could win this game and upend playoff seeding in the AFC, and if they follow the current formula to beat Brady, which involves hitting him and sacking him and disrupting his mediocre receivers, all while wearing down that D; then they’ve got the win and potentially the AFC East Division Title. 

Dallas Cowboys (7-7) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-7)
Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sunday, December 22, 2019 – 4:25 p.m. EST – FOX 

Talk about a wild finish to the year. Because early on in the season, it seemed as though the Dallas Cowboy were going to run away with the NFC East and well… we know how that story ends. But on the flip side of this, we also didn’t think the Eagles were going to do all that much, but they’ve been resurgent in the past few weeks and are now in the mix to win the division, which means this game is likely the biggest of the year for both teams. For if the Eagles win, they could be heading toward the postseason in red-hot fashion and momentum goes far in the tournament. But if Dallas wins, then they can silence the critics as they too prepare for football in January. As for who wins this one, well that’s honestly up to Dallas. For if the determined team that showed up last week returns this week, then they’ve got this. But if the lackadaisical Cowboys show up, expect disaster. 

Monday Night Football
Green Bay Packers (11-3) at Minnesota Vikings (10-4)
US Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, Minnesota
8:15 p.m. EST – ESPN 

​I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, nothing beats a good NFC North matchup. Because when two teams from this division take the field, it’s often an ugly fight, one that goes right down to the wire and this one, has the makings of an instant classic. Because both the Packers and the Vikings boast wonderful records and have been executing on the field all year long, and of course, they would both like to win the division and that’s why this game has me excited. Because the possibilities are endless in this one. It could end up being a shootout as Rodgers and Cousins take to the air to secure the victory, or it could be an ugly defensive battle, the kind filled with turnovers and big hits. And while I haven’t a clue who is going to win this one, what matters more is that this is going to be a heck of a game and you can never go wrong with that.