Best NFL games of Week 16: Zeke returns against Seahawks

It won’t live up to the hype we saw last week but NFL Week 16 still has plenty of great matchups to watch. Here are the five you should tune in to.

Wow, Week 15 was something else. We still aren’t sure what a catch is but it doesn’t matter. The Patriots and Steelers capped off a fantastic end to what is the best week of the NFL regular season no doubt. I’m sorry to say but Week 16 and 17 will not be able to live up to that.

Still, plenty of playoff-clinching scenarios are up for grabs and it’s one of the last weeks of regular season football so enjoy it while you can.

Here are the top five matchups of the week.

5. San Francisco 49ers at Jacksonville Jaguars

I know what you’re thinking, but there really isn’t much depth behind the first two or three games. We don’t have a Week 15 where all five games are between playoff worth teams. That doesn’t mean that this game still isn’t an intriguing one, though. We’ve got Jimmy Garoppolo and his 4-0 record as a starter on the line as he faces his first true road test against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have been ruthless to opposing offenses this season.

While the Jaguars haven’t been particularly great against the run this season, they’re the top-ranked passing defense, giving up less than 170 passing yards per game. Jalen Ramsey and company have been absolutely fantastic this season and that’s why the Jaguars are in the position they are to be a dangerous team this postseason. As they wrap up the regular season, a new face comes into town in Garoppolo. The 49ers might not be a playoff team but Garoppolo has them on quite the roll.

Since making his debut three weeks ago, Garoppolo is 3-0 as a starter with the Niners. He’s been everything John Lynch has hoped for and more. As the team continues to build around him Garoppolo continues to win games. They’ve haven’t been pretty but it doesn’t matter. Garoppolo has a little bit of Tom Brady and it’s clear he’s benefited from playing behind the greatest quarterback of all time. Now it’s time to see him win against a real defense and it’ll be fun to watch.

If the Niners come away with the upset, what a storyline that would be. Garoppolo would be worshiped in the Bay Area more than he already is.