Yep, ladies and gentlemen, with the Vikings not playing until this evening. . .maybe. . .it's time once again to fire up the Red Zone Channel and keep an eye on all of the football action across the National Football League in Week 16.
There are three major contests on this week's NFL slate, the first one involving the NFC North's best team, the Chicago Bears. They'll be hosting the New York Jets today in a game that actually means something for both teams. Chicago controls their own destiny for a first-round bye in the NFC Playoffs, and will need a win over the Jets to keep a hold of it. The Jets, on the other hand, can clinch a playoff spot today with a victory at Soldier Field. (The Jets can get in with a couple of other scenarios, too, but a win over the Bears is the most direct path.)
The second one is one of this afternoon's late games, as it will feature the New York Giants heading to Green Bay to take on the Packers. The Giants are coming off of a monumental collapse last weekend against the Eagles, and can clinch a playoff spot today with a victory. The Packers have a quarterback coming off of a concussion, and won't definitively be in the post-season even with a victory today. Of course, we all know who we want to win this one. Hopefully good can triumph over evil this afternoon and drive a final stake into the playoff hopes of the Packers.
The last one is this week's Monday night match-up between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons are the NFC's best team, and need just one victory in their final two games to wrap up home field advantage in the NFC. . .which would be huge for them, considering that starting quarterback Matt Ryan has lost a grand total of one game at the Georgia Dome during the time he's been Atlanta's starter. The Saints can clinch a post-season spot and keep their slim NFC South playoff hopes alive with a win on Monday night as well.
Here's the full slate of Week 16 NFL action for your viewing pleasure.
Noon Central Time kickoffs
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
New York Jets at Chicago Bears
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
Washington Redskins at Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs
Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins
San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams
3:15 PM Central Time kickoffs
New York Giants at Green Bay Packers
San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals
Houston Texans at Denver Broncos
Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders
Seattle Seahawks at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7:20 PM Central Time kickoff
Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles (POSTPONED UNTIL 7 PM CENTRAL TIME TUESDAY)
7:30 PM Central Time Monday kickoff
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons