NFL Week 16 2024: Sunday’s standout games and what to watch out for

CNN
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To use a golf term, Sunday of Week 16 of the NFL could be called “moving day” as teams compete for playoff spots and seedings.

After a Thursday night game and a Saturday doubleheader that had major playoff implications for the AFC, the NFC teams will look to stand out from the pack on Sunday.

With only three games left in the year to determine a playoff pecking order, fans can expect to experience the intensity of December football in its full glory.

Here are three games not to miss on the Week 16 schedule:

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback position has been hotly contested this season, largely due to the franchise’s questionable personnel decisions, and that competition is coming back into focus this weekend.

Originally it seemed that former Vikings were signaling–Caller Kirk Cousins ​​would be the Falcons’ quarterback of the near future after the 36-year-old veteran signed a four-year deal in March.

That perception changed in April when the Falcons selected QB Michael Penix Jr. in the first round and took the University of Washington straight to an appearance in college football’s National Championship game.

The The move caused surprise around the league, including Cousins ​​himself – when his agent told ESPN that there was confusion over the team not using the pick to improve the team for the coming year, perhaps with one Running back or receiver to strengthen the Falcons’ offensive attack position.

Despite the controversy, the Falcons started the season strong with Cousins, going 6-3 as the quarterback danced with fans to the city of Atlanta’s unofficial anthem, “Swag Surfin’.” But after losing four of their last five games, the shine has faded. Cousins ​​threw nine interceptions with just one touchdown during that stretch, and now he’s on the bench in favor of Penix.

This change comes with the hope that Atlanta can continue to compete for the NFC South title, finishing in second place behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, their hopes are slim – NFL.com gives the Falcons only a 38 percent chance of reaching the postseason even with a win this week.

Penix, who received a call of support from Cousins ​​earlier this week, said there are ways he wants to emulate the veteran — particularly his connection to Falcons fans.

Luckily for him, Penix’s first attempt at an NFL victory comes against a team that is no stranger to quarterback problems.

The New York Giants cut Daniel Jones, the team’s first-round pick in 2019, earlier this season after a string of mediocre games. Despite the move, New York didn’t fare better with Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock or Tim Boyle under center – they’re on a nine-game losing streak.

After a 9-7-1 season in 2022, the Giants will be facing their second straight losing season under head coach Brian Daboll. All the Giants care about is pride and the chance to reignite Atlanta’s quarterback controversy.

Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) vs. Washington Commanders (9-5) – 1:00 p.m. ET

The Philadelphia Eagles have consistently been one of the best teams in the league since hiring head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts in 2021, but that hasn’t always translated into playoff success.

Although the Eagles reached a Super Bowl in 2022, they suffered wild-card eliminations in the 2021 and 2023 playoffs. This year they are fighting for first place in the NFC and, together with the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions, have the best record in the conference. One reason for the Eagles’ success was the addition of superstar running back Saquon Barkley, who leads the league in rushing yards.

Barkley has had just one postseason appearance in his six seasons with the New York Giants and is looking to finish the season strong to take advantage of the raucous crowd at Lincoln Financial Field.

“The nice thing about winning the division is that you’re tied to a home playoff game,” Barkley said in a news conference Friday, recalling the “loud and hectic” atmosphere in Philadelphia when he went to one as a Giant Playoff game came.

The other reason Philadelphia has been successful this season is its stifling defense led by coordinator Vic Fangio. The former NFL assistant coach of the year has engineered a system that allows the fewest 275.6 yards per game in the league and has allowed just 26 touchdowns this year.

The team is led by a youth movement at linebacker, with Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean leading the team in total tackles – while Josh Sweat and Nolan Smith Jr lead the team in sacks.

Nick Sirianni pointed to the one-way street that Fangio has established with his young players to be ready for big games: “The thirst for knowledge is huge – these guys are motivated and they see that Vic can help them get better.” – and that’s where a relationship can begin. Vic has done a great job connecting with our boys and putting them in a position to be successful. They played well, so it was a real group effort.”

The group effort will be needed to slow Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, an electrifying rookie who has helped Washington far exceed expectations this year.

Both NFL.com and ESPN picked the Commanders at No. 26 in their preseason power rankings, but the team got off to a 7-2 start early on. Three straight defeats followed, but the Commanders have since righted the ship with two consecutive victories.

The victory was a welcome sight for the beleaguered fan base, which has only had four winning seasons since the turn of the century, the last of which came in 2015.

The Commanders are second to the Eagles in the NFC East and are working to secure the final playoff spot. NFL.com gives them a 94% chance of making the playoffs with a win.

Head coach Dan Quinn says it’s easy to praise Daniels’ running and throwing abilities, but adds that the “intangibles” Daniels possesses have been a big reason for the Commanders’ success.

“He came in with a rock-solid background, so to me it’s … the things that don’t show up in the stats,” Quinn said. “It’s about finding the right protection and taking care of the football with great decisions.

One of the most compelling games of the afternoon is a duel between former quarterbacks who have since revived their careers. The common denominator? After leaving the New York Jets, both found a greener future.

Sam Darnold was highly touted coming out of college and went third overall in 2018, but never had the success expected of him in his first few years in the league. That changed with his outstanding play this season for the Minnesota Vikings, which gave them one of the best records in the league while also ranking in the top five in touchdowns thrown.

On the other side of the field is 2022 Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith. Like Darnold, Smith came into the league as a starter, but after two seasons of ups and downs, he lost his starting spot and seemed destined to be a backup. But he took the reins with the Seahawks in 2022 and led them to back-to-back winning seasons — and is preparing them for another one this year.

Smith is recovering from an injury suffered in last week’s loss to Green Bay but is expected to play Sunday. He wanted to stay on the field despite the injury, saying, “Having to fight the competition is the hardest thing,” especially because it ended a Seahawks four-game winning streak.

But Smith said it was those things that defined him – and gave the game meaning to him too: “I think that’s part of the NFL – the ups and downs, the wins and losses, the scrapes and bruises, that are the things that matter.” The game is so special – the adversity you face and overcome. I think I’m a living example of that.”

The Seahawks are in a tight race in the NFC West, sharing an 8-6 record with the Los Angeles Rams. Seattle is aiming for a decisive win, and part of that will require a fast start against the Vikings’ potent offense.

Seattle doesn’t have a first drive touchdown this season, and head coach Mike Macdonald hopes to change that this week: “There’s always going to be things that we’re tracking and trying to get better at.” That’s one of these things…hopefully we get this game started quickly.”

The Vikings also have a tight race in their division, as they and the Lions both have identical 12-2 records. However, the pressure on the Vikings is a little less since they have already secured a spot in the playoffs.

Tight end TJ Hockenson said one of the reasons for the team’s success is the close-knit feeling within the group: “The Vikings (as an organization) love team camaraderie, that’s what they preach and that’s what they build.” It It shows on the field – when you know a man and are friends.”

The Vikings will be looking for that camaraderie to give them their eighth straight win against Seattle.