We can solve the final piece of the AFC playoff puzzle tonight when the Denver Broncos (8-6) face off against the Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) on SNF. If the Chiefs win, they’re in and so are the Miami Dolphins. If they lose, we roll it all over to next week.
As always, scroll on down for the live blog. Keep reading for this week’s press release from the NFL.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR – WEEK 16
RISING ROOKIE: Dallas rookie running back EZEKIEL ELLIOTT rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ 26-20 victory over Tampa Bay in Week 15, tying Pro Football Hall of Famer ERIC DICKERSON (1983) and MIKE ANDERSON (2000) for the most games (five) with at least 130 rushing yards by a rookie in NFL history. SNF
Elliott leads the NFL with 1,551 rushing yards. With 49 rushing yards on Monday night against Detroit, he would become the fifth rookie in NFL history with 1,600 rushing yards in a season. SNF
Elliott needs 258 rushing yards over his final two contests to surpass Dickerson (1,808) as the NFL’s all-time rookie rushing leader.
Elliott ranks second in the league with 1,902 yards from scrimmage (1,551 rushing, 351 receiving). With 98 scrimmage yards against Detroit on Monday night, he would become the third rookie in NFL history to reach 2,000 scrimmage yards, joining Dickerson (2,212 in 1983) and EDGERRIN JAMES (2,139 in 1999). SNF
FLYING FALCONS: Atlanta quarterback MATT RYAN passed for 286 yards and two touchdowns for a 144.5 rating and running back DEVONTA FREEMAN had 139 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the Falcons’ 41-13 victory over San Francisco in Week 15.
With at least 40 points at Carolina on Saturday, the Falcons, who have scored 40+ points in a league-leading five games this season, would tie the NFL record for the most games in a single season with at least 40 points. SNF
CATCHING ON: Arizona wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD (98) and Pittsburgh wide receiver ANTONIO BROWN (96) rank first and second, respectively, in the NFL in receptions this season.
Fitzgerald and Brown can each record their fourth career season with at least 100 receptions, tying Pro Football Hall of Famers MARVIN HARRISON and JERRY RICE, and REGGIE WAYNE for the fourth-most 100-catch seasons in NFL history.
With four receptions on Sunday, Brown would record his fourth consecutive season with at least 100 receptions, tying Harrison (four from 1999-2002) for the most consecutive 100-catch seasons in NFL history.
DAVID DOING IT ALL: Arizona running back DAVID JOHNSON leads the NFL with 1,938 scrimmage yards (1,138 rushing, 800 receiving) this season and has recorded at least 100 yards from scrimmage in each of the Cardinals’ first 14 games, becoming the first player in NFL history to begin a season with 14 consecutive games with at least 100 scrimmage yards.
With 62 rushing yards on Saturday at Seattle, Johnson would become the fourth different player in NFL history with at least 1,200 rushing yards and 800
GORE SOARS: Indianapolis running back FRANK GORE has 1,142 scrimmage yards (891 rushing, 251 receiving) this season and has recorded at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 11 consecutive seasons beginning in 2006.
With 58 scrimmage yards on Saturday at Oakland, Gore would become the first player in NFL history with at least 1,200 scrimmage yards in 11 consecutive seasons, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famers CURTIS MARTIN (1995-2004), EMMITT SMITH (1991-2000) and BARRY SANDERS (1989-1998), who each accomplished the feat in 10 consecutive seasons.
The game is on your local NBC affiliate at 8:20 p.m. EST. Watch it with me.
To make a wager on this week’s NFL games, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
