The NFL Roundup 2020: Week 16

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​Normally this time of year, the playoff picture is starting to become crystal clear. In fact, some teams will bench their starters in Weeks 16 and 17 because they’re in and they are happy with their respective seed. But this year, the playoff picture is as murky as it gets, since so many teams are still vying for slots. Which means this next to last week in the regular season is going to be intense and filled to the brim with epic play, and likely a few surprises. And with that in mind, it is time to dive into this Christmas Eve edition of the NFL Roundup and preview all the Yuletide football treats that are headed our way.
 
Will the New York Jets play the spoiler once again?
Admittedly, I’ve been quite hard on the Jets this season, but understandably so. Because they’ve been awful. But I’m also keen to give credit where credit is due, and they definitely deserve a proverbial tipping of the cap for beating the Rams last week. Since this team finally showed everyone they can play at a high level when properly motivated. In fact, that win was so decisive, it does leave one to wonder if these guys can pull off another upset against the Browns this weekend and honestly, I don’t think they can. Because Cleveland is on a tear right now and they are eager to continue to silence their doubters, and they are just itching to pull out a win over the plucky Jets. But on the plus side, hopefully some of New York’s players are motivated now to at least put up a fight against Cleveland, so they can show their soon-to-be new head coach that they deserve to stay in Gotham.
 
Can the New England Patriots avoid their first losing season in twenty years?
It’s been a long time since the New England Patriots have finished at or below .500 as a team, but for the first time in twenty years, they’re facing that prospect. For a loss on Monday Night Football would put their season record at 6-9 and guarantee a losing season for Bill Belichick and his once dynamic squad and well, at this point everyone is wondering as to whether or not the Pats are going to avoid such an embarrassment and honestly, I don’t think they can. Because they’re not a good team in the slightest and they’re going up against the new AFC East champion, one that is dynamic and youthful and fearless and that likely means that their nightmare season is going to continue with a painful and crushing loss to the Buffalo Bills.
 
Can the Washington Football Team take control of the NFC East?
It’s been a strange year in the aforementioned NFC East. Simply because no squad has established itself as the outright leader of this small collection of teams, but Washington could make that happen on Sunday. Because a win over Carolina would make them 7-8 and their closest competition is battling the Ravens and honestly, the odds are most certainly in their favor when it comes to taking the lead in this division. Because the offense is finally starting to click after weeks of painful play, and for that matter, this defense is playing lights out football right now and most important of all, Carolina is in rebuilding mode and isn’t that great of a team. So, don’t be shocked if Ron Rivera’s boys put it together on Sunday and establish a strong lead in a messy division.

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend

Indianapolis Colts (10-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3)
Heinz Field – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sunday, December 27, 2020 – 1:00 p.m. EST – CBS

​Normally, a game of this caliber would feature all kinds of discussions about two juggernaut teams going at it, and how this game might result in a dynamic shootout. But the last few weeks have changed the narrative of this particular matchup… simply because the Steelers have gone from the toast of the town to the league’s new clown and the Colts are red hot at the moment. Which means all eyes are going to be on Pittsburgh in this game, because everyone is dying to know as to whether or not the Steelers are for real, or if they’re straight up chumps and well… their play will answer that question. Because if they cannot rally and rise to the occasion and make a game out of this one, then it will quickly become clear that teams know exactly how to beat them. Which might make this game the most important one of the year for the Steelers. Because if they fall to pieces in this one, there’s a good chance they’ll be one and done in the playoffs.

Los Angeles Rams (9-5) at Seattle Seahawks (10-4)
CenturyLink Field – Seattle, Washington
Sunday, December 27, 2020 – 4:25 p.m. EST – FOX

Speaking of teams that are in a desperate need of a win, let’s talk about the Rams. Because they are coming off an embarrassing loss as well, one where they looked shell shocked at the end. And a win here would go a long way in rebuilding their confidence, especially since it is against a divisional rival and believe it or not, they have a shot at winning this one. Because Seattle’s defense is suspect at best, and if Jared Goff can get into a rhythm and use long and sustained drives to put points on the board and give their defense some time to rest… then they can get a hell of a rebound win here. But if they walk into this game with an ounce of doubt in their minds, or regress when Russell Wilson and his powerhouse offense push them around, then expect the Rams to fall hard in this game and it really should be interesting to see which Los Angeles team shows up in this one.

Sunday Night Football
Tennessee Titans (10-4) at Green Bay Packers (11-3)
Lambeau Field – Green Bay, Wisconsin
8:20 p.m. EST – NBC

​Make no mistake about it, this is a game that looks like an instant classic on paper. Because you have the dynamic Titans offense facing off against the equally dynamic Green Bay offense, which screams shootout and honestly, I think that is going to be case. Because both of teams know how to put on a show and they both hate the idea of being behind on the scoreboard. Which means it will be difficult to declare a definitive winner in this matchup. But if I had to guess, Tennessee is going to be the victor in this one. Simply because Green Bay has a tendency to underestimate their opponents and the Titans do boast the better defense and the better run game and all of those elements are going to prove troublesome for the Packers when all is said and done.