It’s Saturday, and if you’re like me, you have little interest in West Havannah State vs. Oral Roberts or whatever boring slate of college football games today has to offer. The players don’t want to the play the games, the stadiums are largely empty. Just end the bowl system now before it dies a slow death.
Saturdays belong to the NFL now, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. This week features some games that actually matter, so if you’re still interested in playoff races—especially in the AFC—then somehow find a way to get NFL Network this week.
The first matchup features Washington—a team a half game out of the final wild card spot in the NFC—against the Titans—a team currently tied for the last playoff spot (but on the outside looking in). This will be a huge game for both teams, who will obviously need a little help elsewhere in Week 16 and 17.
The nightcap features the two teams that currently hold both wild card spots. The Los Angeles Chargers don’t have to worry about dropping out of the playoffs, but at 11-3, they have a very real chance of overtaking the 11-3 Chiefs for the division lead and potentially the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC. The Ravens, on the other hand, are 8-6 and tied with the Colts and Titans for that last wild card spot. Their 6-4 record in conference games currently is the best among the group, so they have the six seed. But a loss on Saturday could cost them everything.
Here’s how to watch.
Washington vs. Titans
Date/Time: December 22, 2018 — 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Nissan Stadium — Nashville, TN
TV: NFL Network
Streaming: FuboTV, NFL
Odds: Titans by 10
Ravens vs. Chargers
Time: December 22, 2018 — 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: ROKiT Field at StubHub Center, Carson, Calif.
TV: NFL Network
Streaming: FuboTV, NFL
Odds: Chargers by 4