Week 16 of the NFL had a playoff through most of the games. Teams like the Baltimore Ravens clinched the AFC and home field advantage. The Oakland Raiders still have a chance to make it. And joining us on this lovely Christmas Eve, Caillou Borden, welcome to the Sports Cast.
Oakland clinches a playoff berth with:
- OAK win + PIT loss + TEN loss + IND win + OAK clinches strength-of-victory tiebreaker over PIT*
*OAK clinches strength-of-victory tiebreaker over PIT if ONE of the following teams win or tie: CHI, DET, LAC OR NE
Packer clinched the NFC North by defeating Minnesota Vikings 23-10
Sporting fresh division title shirts that few expected them to wear this year, the Green Bay Packers had the message printed across their chests in the jubilant visitors’ locker room: “The North is not enough.”
With Aaron Rodgers taking a back seat while the ground game and the pass rush led the way, the Packers became NFC North champions for the first time in three years and delivered Minnesota’s first defeat at home this season.
Aaron Jones rushed for 154 yards and two second-half touchdowns, Za’Darius Smith had five tackles for loss to lead a stifling performance by the defense, and the Packers beat the Vikings 23-10 on Monday night.
JJ Watt Returns
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt appears ready to suit up for his team when the playoffs begin.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Texans are designating Watt to return from injured reserve on Tuesday.
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year tore his pectoral muscle in October and was expected to miss the rest of the season, although head coach Bill O’Brien didn’t rule out a potential return for the playoffs when asked about it earlier this month.
Watt also played only a combined eight games in 2016 and 2017, undergoing back surgery and suffering a tibial plateau fracture during that time frame.
NBA Christmas: Lakers vs Clippers, 8pm
Predictions
NBA
BOS-TOR – BOS
MIL-PHI – PHI
LAC-LAL – LAL
NO-DEN- DEN
NFL
GB-DET – GB
NYJ-BUF- BUF
PIT-BAL- PIT
CHI-MIN- MIN
LAC-KC – LAC
OAK-DEN- OAK
TEN-HOU- TEN
PHI-NYG- PHI
WAS-DAL- DAL
SF-SEA- SEA
Santiago Leon is the Founder and CEO of the Sports Cast. He covers NFL, NBA, and world soccer. He’s also founder of sleon productions, which he specializes in technology and serves clients with solutions to make their business grow.