Today’s three games each feature a team looking to take a big step to locking up a playoff spot.
It is officially that time between time; between Christmas and New Year’s, when time has no meaning. But that’s great, because it means more football on more days and at more times!
On this Saturday — yes, it’s Saturday, if you’ve lost track — NFL fans get a trio of games to entertain them all day long. Each game features at least one team currently in playoff position, with chances to clinch coming all over the board.
In the two early games, the last two AFC Wild Card teams have opportunities to lock in playoff spots with wins and set the entire AFC field before the penultimate Sunday of the season. The Chargers need a win over the lowly Patriots today to lock in their spot, while the Broncos could do the same by beating the Cincinnati Bengals.
Then in the evening, the NFC West-leading Rams host the now-eliminated Cardinals as they try to maintain a lead on the Seattle Seahawks, who beat the Chicago Bears on Thursday. If the Rams fall tonight, that will set up a winner-take-all game next Sunday for the NFC West title between Los Angeles and Seattle. There is also a scenario in which the Rams could clinch the West with a win tonight and certain results on Sunday giving them a strength of victory tiebreaker over Seattle.
Of course, today is also filled with college football bowl games, and the most entertaining of today’s is sure to be the Pop-Tarts Bowl, which kicks off at 3:30 PM Eastern Time. Iowa State and Miami will battle for the right to select and toast one of this year’s three flavored mascots and eat the formerly-sentient pastry as their prize. Tune in for that game on ABC this afternoon, with the postgame celebration likely to take place sometime around 7:00.
Game 1: Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
Game Time: 1:00 PM Eastern Time (12:00 Noon Central)
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA
TV Channel: NFL Network
Commentators: Chris Rose, Ross Tucker
Point spread: Chargers -5.5
Over/under total: 42.5
Game 2: Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals
Game Time: 4:30 PM Eastern (3:30 PM Central)
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
TV Channel: NFL Network
Commentators: Kevin Harlan, Trent Green
Point spread: Bengals -3
Over/under total: 50.5
Game 3: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
Game Time: 5:10 PM Pacific Time (7:10 PM Central)
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
TV Channel: NFL Network
Commentators: Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner
Point spread: Rams -6.5
Over/under total: 47.5