Finally, Saturday football has returned to the NFL. And, unlike last week’s single-game slate, the league has moved the bulk of its matchups from Christmas Day to Christmas Eve — but made sure to keep a pair of pivotal showdowns for Santa to enjoy.
NFL Christmas Eve schedule 2016: Start times, TV schedule, and live stream for NFL Week 16
A handful of interesting division games, and also some absolute garbage.
Only two monster AFC games remain on Sunday — a Ravens-Steelers tilt that may decide the fate of the North and a Broncos-Chiefs game in which Denver has to fight for its playoff life. Everything else goes down Saturday (or Monday), leaving behind some interesting divisional matchups (Vikings-Packers, Dolphins-Bills) and a smattering of games you’ll hope your local broadcast ignores (Chargers-Browns, 49ers-Rams, Washington-Bears).
Green Bay can continue its march back towards the NFC North title by getting revenge over the Vikings. Sam Bradford rang in Minnesota’s U.S. Bank Stadium’s inaugural game with a 17-14 Week 2 win, but lost former NFL MVP Adrian Peterson to a knee injury in the process. Peterson missed 11 games with cartilage damage, but used his super-human healing ability to return for his team’s playoff push.
But the dynamic runner’s resurrection didn’t save the Vikings — instead it derailed them. Minnesota got blown out at home by the Colts, leaving its postseason chances on life support. The Vikings will need to beat a surging Packers team at Lambeau Field in late December to keep their playoff dreams alive.
Carolina’s postseason odds are even worse. ESPN gave the Panthers a .0004 shot at extending their season before last Monday’s win over Washington. They’ll need to keep that momentum rolling forward — and hope everyone else in the NFC loses — to have a chance to defend their conference title. They face Atlanta Saturday, and the Falcons will have the opportunity to win the NFC South crown with a win.
The Dolphins will also have a chance to clinch a playoff bid with their 10th win of the season. A little outside help would give Miami a wild-card bid and mark the first time since 2010 the AFC East sent multiple teams to the postseason.
Early games on Christmas Eve (all times Eastern)
Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.
TV: CBS
Online: Sunday Ticket, CBS All Access
Washington vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m.
TV: FOX
Online: Sunday Ticket, FoxSportsGo
San Diego Chargers vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.
TV: CBS
Online: Sunday Ticket, CBS All Access
Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m.
TV: FOX
Online: Sunday Ticket, FoxSportsGo
New York Jets vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m.
TV: CBS
Online: Sunday Ticket, CBS All Access
Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
TV: FOX
Online: Sunday Ticket, FoxSportsGo
Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.
TV: CBS
Online: Sunday Ticket, CBS All Access
Afternoon games on Christmas Eve
Indianapolis Colts vs. Oakland Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
TV: CBS
Online: Sunday Ticket, CBS All Access
San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m.
TV: FOX
Online: Sunday Ticket, FoxSportsGo
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m.
TV: FOX
Online: Sunday Ticket, FoxSportsGo
Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m.
TV: FOX
Online: Sunday Ticket, FoxSportsGo
Late game on Christmas Eve
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans, 8:30 p.m.
TV: NFL Network
Online: Sunday Ticket
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