NFL 2023 Week 16: Biggest questions, risers and takeaways،
Week 16 of the NFL season began Thursday night with the Los Angeles Rams boosting their playoff hopes while putting a damper on the New Orleans Saints' playoff aspirations.
To start a two-game slate on Saturday, the Pittsburgh Steelers routed the Cincinnati Bengals, whose playoff hopes also took a major hit. Later, the Buffalo Bills took control of their playoff destiny with a close victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, who were playing their first game since firing coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco last week .
Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions arising from each game and identifying who — or what — is going up and down for each team. Let's go.
Access a match:
NO-LAR | CIN-PIT | BUF-LAC
SATURDAY
Invoices
How concerning was this performance as the Bills continue their playoff campaign? It’s a reminder of what this season has been like. Of the Bills' 14 games, 10 have been one-score affairs. Eliminating opponents properly has been a problem all season. James Cook's ball security is an issue and the defense is allowing too many drives. Winning is ultimately what matters at this point in the season, but Saturday showed that this team still has things to work on even though they now control their playoff destiny.
Refuel after victory: Sam Martin. The Bills punter has been up and down as of late, but he played a key role in giving the Chargers a long field. Three of his four punts went inside the 20-yard line and he averaged 52.3 yards per punt. This is a good sign for the future of this special teams unit.
Reduced stock after victory: Passing game. Josh Allen & Co. made things happen when they needed to, but the Chargers came into this game with one of the worst pass defenses in the league. Allen completed just 15 of 21 passes for 237 yards, one touchdown and one pick with errors throughout the game connecting with receivers. This remains inconsistent. –Alaina Getzenberg
Next game: vs. Patriots (Sunday, December 31, 1 p.m. ET)
Chargers
Is there any reason to worry about Derwin James? James has been one of the Chargers' best players since being drafted in 2018, establishing himself as one of the best safeties in the league. But in James' first game since the Chargers fired coach Brandon Staley, James played two snaps at safety and 40 for the game, the two lowest of the season. He played most of the game as a nickel cornerback. Under Staley, James played a nickel role at times, but his primary home was safe, which made Saturday's game particularly surprising.
Refuel after loss: Kicker Cameron Dicker. Staley earned the nickname “fourth-and-Staley” for his willingness to run fourth-down conversions, often leaving Dicker on the sidelines. In the first game since Staley was fired, Dicker made a career-high five field goals, nearly winning the game himself for the Chargers. It was the first time the Chargers had scored five field goals since 2012.
Stock falling after loss: Running back Joshua Kelley. Kelley played a season-low total of 12 snaps, including seven on offense. Kelley was the Chargers' backup running back this season and started two games while Austin Ekeler was injured, but he appears to have fallen out of favor in the Chargers backfield. -Kris Rhim
Next game: at the Broncos (Sunday, December 31, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Steelers
Who will start at quarterback against the Seattle Seahawks? After the game, Mike Tomlin told reporters it was too early to ask the question. Maybe so, but it's certainly not too early to consider the possibility that Mason Rudolph has earned the opportunity to start again after throwing for 279 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Kenny Pickett participated in limited practice this week after undergoing TightRope surgery on his right ankle on Dec. 4. He was inactive against the Bengals but could be ready to face the Seahawks. Still, Rudolph played a smart game and earned his first match point for the performance – and perhaps another start.
Refuel after victory: Wide receiver George Pickens. Pickens had a career performance with 195 receiving yards and two touchdowns on the heels of a week in which he was heavily criticized for his immaturity and lack of effort, showing he has an incredibly high ceiling when he is at his best.
Reduced stock after victory: Fire Mike Tomlin sings. It's hard to find something that didn't work in a resounding victory. But it was a tough match for all the disgruntled fans who entered the Acrisure Stadium ready to unleash chants of Fire Tomlin. Instead, the fourth quarter featured four Mason Rudolph chants and one for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which Steelers players agreed was a welcome change. -Brooke Prior
Next game: at Seahawks (Sunday, December 31, 4:05 p.m. ET)
Bengals
Does this loss end Cincinnati's playoff chances? Well, that certainly makes a huge dent in them. The Bengals' playoff chances fell to 14% after the loss, according to ESPN Analytics. But if the Bengals miss the playoffs, they can point squarely to their AFC North record. After Saturday, the Bengals are 0-5 in the division. Cincinnati was swept by Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Depending on what happens over the next two weeks, even a win against the Browns in Week 18 might mean nothing for the Bengals.
Refuel after loss: WR Higgins T-shirt. With Ja'Marr Chase out, he racked up five catches for 140 yards and a touchdown, including an 80-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Stock falling after loss: Quarterback Jake Browning. Browning forced the issue too often and threw three interceptions in his worst performance as a starter in place of the injured Joe Burrow. – Well baby
Next game: at Chiefs (Sunday, December 31, 4:25 p.m. ET)
THURSDAY
Rams
Does the offense make the Rams a serious threat to make the playoffs? The Rams aren't in the playoffs yet — they have a 78 percent chance, according to ESPN Analytics — but they're playing like a team that could make a run. Since the return of RB Kyren Williams in Week 12, this Rams team looks like a different group than the one that was 3-6 during his Week 10 bye. There's “no doubt,” said coach Sean McVay, “we're different when he plays.” Los Angeles has scored at least 28 points in the five games since Williams' return and has won six of its last seven games, the only loss coming against the AFC-leading Baltimore Ravens.
Refuel after victory: Quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Rams quarterback has thrown multiple passing touchdowns in five straight games, his longest streak since joining the Rams, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He also went four straight games without an interception, which was his longest streak with Los Angeles.
Reduced stock after victory: Kicker Lucas Havrisik missed a 47-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter. Los Angeles has missed a league-high 11 field goals this season. That's the most of any team since the 2015 Buccaneers (11), according to ESPN Stats & Information. -Sarah Barshop
Next game: at Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Saints
Can the Saints regroup as playoff hopes fade? The Saints now need to win and get some help to make the playoffs. Their loss revealed problems both defensively (tackles) and offensively (they struggled to convert on third and fourth downs). The Saints now have to travel to Tampa Bay for a divisional game after the disappointment of such a crucial loss. How they respond will likely dictate any decisions made regarding the coaching staff or personnel once the season ends.
Refuel after loss: WR Chris Olave. Olave suffered an ankle injury that caused him to miss Sunday's game and responded with a season-best nine catches for 129 yards, which allowed him to surpass 1,000 receiving yards for the season.
Stock falling after loss: CB Alontae Taylor. Taylor was benched for Ugo Amadi late in the game, and Saints coach Dennis Allen said the Rams caught Taylor “a few times with his eyes.” -Katherine Terrell
Next game: at Buccaneers (Sunday, December 31, 1 p.m. ET)
