NFL Week 16 - Friday Christmas Eve Preview Part 1

Miami Dolphins (9-5) @ Buffalo Bills (7-7) @ Ralph Wilson Stadium

It's a critical game for the Dolphins when they head to Buffalo to take on their AFC East Division rivals. The Dolphins have won 8 of their past 9 games to control their own destiny, by holding a one game lead for the final spot in the AFC Wild Card race with a one game lead over Denver and Baltimore. Even without quarterback Ryan Tanehill, the Dolphins, with Matt Moore at quarterback, were impressive last week winning 34-13 at the Jets. The Bills look set for another season outside the playoffs, sitting at 7-7 with 2 games to play. Doubts remain over the future of head Coach Rex Ryan in his second year in charge. 

Verdict - Bills 23 Dolphins 20

Going for somewhat of an upset here and the Bills to put a real dent in the Dolphins' playoff chances. I think at home in the cold weather they are a hard team to beat, and Rex Ryan might need a couple of victories to save his job. 

Washington Redskins (7-6-1) @ Chicago Bears (3-11) - Solider Field

The Redskins face a must win game at Chicago as they enter the final two weeks of the season on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. The Redskins blew the chance to control their own destiny in the NFC Wild Card Race with a costly 26-15 home loss to the Panthers on Monday night football. The Redskins have really let a good position slide in recent weeks, losing three out of their last four games with their defence now rated 24th in the league. It has been a long season for the Bears, however they were highly competitive in last week's 30-27 loss to the Packers at home. 

Verdict - Redskins 24 Bears 17

Redskins survive here to keep their playoff chances well and truly alive. I think the Bears are playing tough and hard lately for a side with not much to play for, so don't see there being much in this game. 

San Diego Chargers (5-9) @ Cleveland Browns (0-14) - Browns Stadium

Here it is Browns' fans, your last realistic chance of winning a game this year as the Chargers come to town. The Browns are 0-14 and seem destined to be the second team to go 0-16 since the Detroit Lions did in 2008. The Browns had their opportunities to win early in the season, however in recent weeks have been slowly but surely putting in worse and worse performances, particularly offensively. The Chargers at 5-9 are facing up to a second straight season at the bottom of the AFC West. The Chargers have lost an embarrassing seven 4th quarter leads this year, meaning it has well and truly been a season of what might have been. 

Verdict - Chargers 27 Browns 21

I just can't tip the Browns. If they are going to beat anyone, it's San Diego who know how to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory. However the Browns are playing so poorly I think they are destined to finish 0-16. 

Minnesota Vikings (7-7) @ Green Bay Packers (8-6) - Lambeau Field

The Packers will look to keep their late season surge going when they host Divisional rivals, the Vikings, on Saturday at Lambeau Field. The Packers are now just one game behind the Lions for the NFC North Title, who they play in the final week of the season in Detroit. The Packers looked dead in the water at 4-6, however behind some great quarterback play from Aaron Rodgers and some improved defence, they are on the verge of heading back to the playoffs. The Vikings have imploded after starting the season 5-0, losing 7 of their last 9 games to be on the brink of elimination from the playoff race. Last week the Vikings put in an embarrassing home performance losing 34-6 to the Colts. 

Verdict - Packers 29 Vikings 13

Green Bay are on a roll at the moment and it would be a major shock if the stumbling Vikings could come into town and knock them off. One team has a heap of momentum whilst the other team has well and truly hit the wall. 

New York Jets (4-10) @ New England Patriots (12-2) - Gillette Stadium

The Patriots can go a long way to locking up home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a victory over the struggling Jets on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots are coming off a hugely impressive 16-3 victory over Denver in Denver, showing they can win games in different ways. While Tom Brady threw for just 188 yards, the Patriots defence was outstanding and they ran the ball soundly. The Jets are coming off another home shocker being belted 34-13 by the Dolphins in a season of disappointment. Head Coach Todd Bowles is under pressure to keep his job and has not travelled with the side to New England due to illness. 

Verdict - Patriots 38 Jets 7

This could get very ugly here. The Jets often save their best for the Patriots, but I can't see it this late in the season. The Patriots are rolling right now and a banged up Jets team, without their head coach, will be cannon fodder. 

Atlanta Falcons (9-5) @ Carolina Panthers (6-8) - Bank Of America Stadium

Exactly a year ago, the Falcons secured a home victory over the Panthers to ruin the Panthers perfect 14-0 start. This time around the teams meet on totally different terms, with the Falcons coming to Carolina looking to lock up a play off spot. The Falcons are clinging on to 1st place at 9-5, one game ahead of the Buccaneers in the race for the NFC South Title. The Panthers have had a terribly disappointing season, sitting at 6-8, despite a last start 26-15 victory at playoff chasing Washington. 

Verdict - Falcons 27 Panthers 23

You have to go with Atalanta here although I think Carolina will enjoy trying to play spoiler. With this game being  in Carolina, I expect this to go right down to the wire and be a relatively high scoring game.