NFL Week 16 winners and losers, plus sizing up the playoff picture and Broncos fire Nathaniel Hackett

There won’t be lots of causes to look at tonight if you happen to’re a Colts fan, however Chargers followers will certainly wish to be watching and that is as a result of Los Angeles might clinch a playoff berth with a win. After lacking the playoffs final yr due to a soul-crushing loss to the Raiders in Week 18, the Chargers can formally put that behind them and provides Justin Herbert his first postseason look by merely beating the Colts. 

My good buddy Jared Dubin wrote our deep-dive preview for this sport right here at CBSSports.com, and here is how he sees the sport taking part in out:

• Why the Chargers can win: The Chargers have a high-powered offense and the Colts do not, which implies if L.A. can flip this right into a shootout, then the Chargers ought to stroll away with the win. The Chargers ought to have the ability to put up some factors and that is as a result of their high offensive ability gamers are lastly wholesome with Mike Williams and Keenan Allen each anticipated to play (They’ve solely been on the sector collectively for 15.6% of the Chargers’ offensive snaps this yr). If the Chargers can rating greater than 20 factors, that ought to be sufficient to win towards a Colts staff that has solely topped the 20-point mark 3 times in 14 video games (The Chargers have topped it eight instances in 14 video games).   
• Why the Colts can win: If the Chargers have confirmed one factor this yr, it is that they can not cease the run. The Chargers are surrendering 5.3 yards per carry this season, which is the second-worst quantity within the NFL AND they’re additionally giving up a median of 145.6 yards per sport on the bottom this yr, which is the sixth-worst quantity. Mainly, the Colts ought to have the ability to run the ball and if they will get their run sport going, that ought to take some strain off of Nick Foles whereas giving Indy a preventing probability to win this sport. 

You may get a full preview of the game from Dubin by clicking here. 

When you’re desirous about betting on the sport, Tyler Sullivan put collectively a full playing preview (odds by way of Caesars Sportsbook). You’ll be able to take a look at Sullivan’s full gambling preview by clicking here, however if you happen to do not feel like clicking over, here is one prop from each of us for tonight’s sport. 

• ONE PROP TYLER LIKES: Zack Moss OVER 13.5 speeding makes an attempt (-133): “Jeff Saturday famous that the Colts will roll with a rotation out of the backfield within the wake of Jonathan Taylor touchdown on IR. Moss will definitely issue into that rotation and is coming off a sport in Week 15 the place he carried the ball a career-high 24 instances. With Foles underneath middle, Indy will doubtless look to attempt to win this sport on the bottom, particularly with the Chargers permitting 5.3 speeding yards per try, which is the second-worst quantity within the NFL.”
• ONE PROP I LIKE: Cameron Dicker OVER 1.5 area targets (-119): Dicker has been the Chargers kicker for eight video games this yr and he is gone OVER this complete in six of these video games. Additionally, groups love kicking area targets towards the Colts. Indy’s opponents are averaging 2.5 area purpose makes an attempt per sport towards the Colts this yr, which is tied for the very best quantity within the NFL. . 

Lastly, if you happen to’re questioning who we’re selecting, here is who we’ve tonight in a sport the place the Chargers are at the moment favored by 4 factors:

Dubin’s decide: Chargers 27-13 over Colts
Sullivan’s decide: Chargers 27-21 over Colts
My decide: Chargers 27-23 over Colts

I swear, we did not all comply with have the Chargers scoring 27 factors in our prediction, it simply occurred that method. 

Over on our CBSSports.com picks page, all eight of our consultants are selecting the Chargers to win and canopy. 

6. Speedy-fire roundup: Jets turning again to Mike White, Commanders may need a QB controversy on their arms

It has been a busy weekend within the NFL, and because it’s practically unattainable to maintain observe of all the things that occurred, I went forward and put collectively a roundup for you. 

• Jets turning again to Mike White. After lacking the previous two video games attributable to damage, Mike White can be getting his job again this week. In accordance to multiple reports, White has been cleared to play towards the Seahawks on Sunday. White had been out since struggling a rib damage towards the Payments in Week 16. 
• Jets anticipated to maneuver on from Zach Wilson. With White getting the beginning job again, it now appears that the writing is on the wall for Wilson. The Jets QB has performed so badly this season that the staff is prepared to surrender on him. In response to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports activities, the Jets are expected to move on from Wilson his offseason. Wilson was the No. 2 general decide within the 2021 NFL Draft and as dangerous as he is been, you virtually by no means see a staff hand over on a decide that prime after simply two seasons. 
• Commanders may need a QB controversy. Taylor Heinicke obtained benched for Carson Wentz throughout Washington’s 37-20 loss and there isn’t any assure he’ll be getting his job again. Ron Rivera would not decide to a starter following the loss to the 49ers, “It isn’t going to be a knee-jerk,” Rivera mentioned, NBCSports Washington. “It may be one thing, on the finish of the day, I actually do consider offers us one of the best probability to win soccer video games, get into the playoffs and see what occurs.” The Commanders host the Browns this weekend and in the event that they find yourself shedding, they could possibly be eradicated from the playoff race. 
• Jalen Hurts won’t be again this week. The Eagles QB missed Saturday’s loss to the Cowboys with a shoulder damage and there isn’t any assure he will be again for this week’s sport towards the Saints. In accordance to ESPN.com, Hurts’ standing is “unsure” for Week 17. Nick Sirianni said Saturday that if Hurts is able to go, then he’ll play, however nobody is aware of proper now if he’ll really be able to go. The Eagles simply have to win one in every of their last two video games to clinch the highest seed within the NFC and the first-round bye that comes with it
• NFL makes use of flex scheduling powers for Week 17. The Sunday evening showdown for Week 17 was speculated to be Rams-Chargers, however that game has now been given the boot. As a substitute, the NFL is shifting Steelers at Ravens into the Sunday evening slot. The Rams-Chargers sport has been moved to 4:25 p.m. ET.  
• Bengals beginning sort out out for the season. The Bengals offensive line took an enormous hit over the weekend with the lack of La’el Collins. The proper sort out tore his ACL towards the Patriots and can now miss the remainder of the season. 

BONUS: 12 loopy details from Week 16

Each Sunday evening I get an electronic mail from our analysis division right here at CBS Sports activities, and each Sunday that electronic mail all the time consists of some amazingly wild details in regards to the video games that have been simply performed. 

With that in thoughts, listed below are 12 loopy details about Week 16: 

• One-score wonders. With their 27-24 win over the Giants, the Vikings are actually 11-0 in one-score video games this season, which is probably the most one-score wins by a staff in a single season in NFL historical past.
• Large kick. The 61-yard game-winning area purpose by Minnesota’s Greg Joseph was tied for the fourth-longest game-winning kick with no time remaining in NFL historical past. Solely Justin Tucker (66), Tom Dempsey (63) and Matt Bryant (62) have hit longer. 
• Randy Moss will get Moss’d. With 133 yards towards the Giants, Justin Jefferson now has 1,756 for the season, which strikes him previous Randy Moss (1,632 in 2003) for probably the most receiving yards in a single season in Vikings historical past. Jefferson additionally had his twenty fourth profession sport with 100 receiving yards or extra, which is probably the most by any participant in NFL via their first 4 seasons. That is additional spectacular as a result of Jefferson is barely in his third season.
• Panthers preserve pounding. Chuba Hubbard (109 rush yards) and D’Onta Foreman (104 rush yards) are the primary pair of teammates to every rush for 100 yards or extra within the first half of a sport in additional than 15 years (The final pair to do it was Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew for the Jaguars in 2006). Carolina rushed for 240 yards within the first half on Sunday, the third-most speeding yards in a primary half over the previous 40 years. Solely the Payments (254 speeding yards in 1992) and Jaguars (251 in 2006) have had extra. The Panthers’ 320-yard speeding complete was additionally the very best in franchise historical past. 
• Houston cannot cease Derrick Henry. The Titans working again rushed for 126 yards and a landing towards the Texans, making him the primary participant in NFL historical past with 100 rush yards and not less than one speeding TD in 5 consecutive video games towards a single opponent. In fact, Henry’s efficiency did not really assist because the Texans ended up successful 19-14. 
• Mr. December. Aaron Rodgers goes to be unhappy to see December go, and that is as a result of he is undefeated throughout the month with Matt LaFleur. For the reason that Packers coach was employed in 2019, Rodgers has gone 15-0 in December, which incorporates Sunday’s Christmas win over the Dolphins. 
• Sacked lunch. The Eagles sacked Dak Prescott six instances, marking their fourth straight sport with not less than six sacks. The streak is tied with the 1976 San Franciso 49ers for the longest of the Tremendous Bowl period. 
• Josh Allen is an unstoppable twin menace. With two passing touchdowns and one speeding landing in Buffalo’s 35-13 win over the Bears, Allen now has 25 profession video games with not less than one passing TD and one speeding TD. That is tied for the fourth-most in NFL historical past, trailing solely Cam Newton (45), Steve Younger (31) and Aaron Rodgers (30).
• Chiefs preserve successful. With their 24-10 win over the Seahawks, the Chiefs (12-5) have received not less than 12 video games for the fifth straight season, which is the third-longest streak in NFL historical past. Solely the Patriots (2010-17) and Colts (2003-09) have had longer streaks.
• Sizzling first half for Joe Burrow. The Bengals quarterback completed with 28 completions within the first half towards the Patriots, which is probably the most by a QB in a primary half since Tony Romo in 2007. Joe Burrow additionally has thrown a TD go in 22 consecutive video games, which is the longest streak in Bengals historical past.
• Bitter chilly. The NFL had eight video games that kicked off with a temperature under freezing on Saturday, which was a document for a single day. The Panthers performed their coldest residence sport in franchise historical past (20 levels at kickoff), which was a 37-23 win over the Lions. The Ravens additionally had their coldest residence sport in franchise historical past (17 levels), a 17-9 win over the Falcons. To not be outdone, the Seahawks handled a temperature (12 levels) that was the coldest in franchise historical past for any regular-season sport. The Saints additionally performed their coldest sport in franchise historical past (6 levels).  
• Patriots participant is the subsequent primetime. With a pick-six towards the Bengals, Marcus Jones is the primary participant since 1947 to have a punt return landing, a receiving landing and a pick-six in the identical season (Invoice Dudley and Tommy Harmon have been the final gamers to drag this off). The one different participant within the Tremendous Bowl period to attain a landing of 40 yards or extra in every of these 3 ways over their ENTIRE profession was Deion “Primetime” Sanders and Jones has accomplished it in ONE season. 
• Bengals and Patriots give us a scorigami. The Bengals 22-18 win over the Patriots was notable, as a result of it gave us a scorigami, which is when a last rating occurs for the primary time in NFL historical past. The 22-18 last was the third scorigami of the yr and the 1,075th completely different last rating in NFL historical past.  

When you see another enjoyable details, feel free to tweet them at me