The NFL flexed Chicago and Philadelphia to Sunday Night Football on NBC after Week 14. It was possible that both teams would be playing for a chance to win their respective divisions. There is a chance that could happen but both teams will need results from the early games to go their way. In fact, by the time the Bears and Eagles take the field on Sunday night, it could be a meaningless game other than for seeding in the NFC playoffs.

With two games to go, the Eagles lead the Cowboys by one game in the NFC East. Dallas currently hold the head-to-head and division record tiebreaker over Philadelphia. If the Cowboys (three-point road favorites) defeat the Redskins in Week 16, the Eagles wouldn’t be able to clinch the division with a win over the Bears. The Cowboys and Eagles play in Dallas the last game of the season so that game then would decide the NFC East.

The NFC North is a little more complicated. Two losses in a row by the Lions has given the Bears and Packers new life and control of their own destiny. The Lions host the Giants and Packers host the Steelers in late afternoon games Sunday. If the Lions loss their third straight and Packers win, then the result from the Bears game on Sunday night won’t matter. The division would be decided at Solider Field in Week 17 when the Packers come to town. 

When the Steelers take the field in Green Bay at 3:25 local time, they might already know if their slim playoff chances have evaporated. A Dolphins win earlier in the day would eliminated the Steelers from playoff contention and they would have nothing to play for when facing a motivated Green Bay team.

These scenarios are important to know when picking games in Week 16. Some teams with playoff hopes will be very motivated in must-win situations and others might have their thoughts on Christmas dinner if their team has been eliminated. I’ll pick the Bears-Eagles game today, but that is one pick that could change by game time.

Three-star

Saints +3 over Panthers

Buccaneers +6 over Rams

Browns +2 over Jets

Bengals -8 over Vikings 

Patrios +2.5 over Ravens

Two-star

Bills +3 over Dolphins

Colts +7 over Chiefs

Texans +10.5 over Broncos

Jaguars +5 over Titans

Raiders +10 over Chargers

Eagles -3 over Bears 

One-star 

Cowboys -3 over Redskins

Giants +9 over Lions

Cardinals +10.5 over Seahawks

Packers -2.5 over Steelers 

Falcons +13 over 49ers

Season record

Three-star: 24-28-2

Two-star: 51-39-4

One-star: 36-34-5