NFL Week 16 features two potential Super Bowl previews in first matchups of its kind since 1980

We’re all being treated to not one, but two potential Super Bowl previews in Week 16 when the Cowboys take on the Dolphins and the 49ers host the Ravens. Both star-studded affairs have huge playoff seed and MVP implications.

These are the top four teams in scoring offense and points differential this season. It’s the first time since 1980 that the top four teams in points differential all meet this late into a season. If we’re lucky, one of them will end up being a Super Bowl preview. There’s only been one instance of teams meeting this late into a season, then playing in the Super Bowl. The Patriots beat the Giants 38-35 in Week 17 of 2007 before New York ended their undefeated season in the Super Bowl.

Among the intrigue in these games:

Both games are Super Bowl rematches and could be Super Bowl previewsAll four teams are either currently the No. 1 seed in their conference or within a game.It’s a matchup of the top two scoring offenses (Cowboys-Dolphins) and top two scoring defenses (Ravens-49ers)Collectively, these game features six of the top nine players in NFL MVP odds (Brock Purdy, Lamar Jackson, Dak Prescott, Christian McCaffrey, Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill)

Here are a few things to specifically look forward to in each game. 

Cowboys at Dolphins

Storyline to watch: who is for real?

I’m calling this the Cupcake Bowl because most of us out there are still wondering, are these teams legit contenders? The Cowboys and Dolphins are a combined 1-6 vs. above .500 teams this year and 19-2 in all other games. It’s the first matchup in NFL history between teams with at least 20 combined wins but one or fewer vs. above .500 teams. Neither team has made a conference championship game in roughly three decades, so forgive me for this stance: I’ll believe it when we see it. 

Why it matters: division title races

The Dolphins have played the easiest schedule in the NFL up to this point in terms of…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-16-features-two-potential-super-bowl-previews-in-first-matchups-of-its-kind-since-1980/

Author : Douglas Clawson

Publish date : 2023-12-19 18:04:51

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