NFL Schedule Week 16: Most Exciting Matchups to Watch on Sunday

Saturday saw two great bowl games, a receiving record and plenty of great basketball. What can Sunday's slate of NFL games do for an encore?

Plenty.

There are some awesome divisional games to look forward to, as well as some other games that are crucial in the playoff picture. 

These games are the ones to watch this Sunday.

New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys

Probably the most offensive battle this Sunday will be between the Saints and the Cowboys. Though the Saints have little to play for, they are always good for a show, while the Cowboys need a win to stay alive in the playoffs.

DeMarco Murray has revitalized the Cowboys offense in recent weeks, and Tony Romo has stepped up his play as a result. That has led the Cowboys to a three-game winning streak.

The Saints, meanwhile, just trashed the Buccaneers 41-0 and are playing great football. Drew Brees should find plenty of success against the Cowboys defense, which gives up an average 225.1 yards per game through the air.

Expect plenty of points in this game as the hungrier Cowboys do just enough to pull out a win.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Houston Texans

This game has major playoff ramifications for the Vikings, who need to keep winning to get into the playoffs. More importantly, it features a running back trying to make history in Adrian Peterson, who needs just 188 yards to join the 2,000-yard club.

He will be hard-pressed to do so against the Texans fifth-ranked rushing defense, but Peterson is by far the best back the Texans have faced this year.

The battle between Peterson and the Texans defense makes this a game worth following. The playoff ramifications make it must-watch television.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

This game is going to be ugly and defensive. Only football purists will want to watch this one.

Yet, for those purists, this might be the most exciting game of Week 16. These two teams don't like each other, and this game is crucial for both teams' playoff hopes. 

Cincinnati features the league's best pass rush with 43 sacks this season. Geno Atkins will be unblockable in this game, making him a player to watch.

Both teams are also prone to turnovers, meaning this game could be sloppy.

Regardless, this game should be entertaining for those who like hard-hitting football.

New York Giants vs. Baltimore Ravens

There is plenty to get excited about in this game despite the fact that both teams have struggled of late. Both the Giants and the Ravens need this game—the Giants to qualify for the playoffs and the Ravens to clinch the division. 

This should be a very offensive game, with the Giants sporting the NFL's 28th-ranked defense and the Ravens the 26th. The Ravens offense should rebound from some rough performances in recent weeks. The Ravens rarely stay down for long, and they've been down for three weeks now. I'd be surprised if they made it four.

One of these teams will bounce back. That makes this game worth watching.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks

This game features perhaps the two hottest teams in the NFL. The Seattle Seahawks have gone over 50 points in back-to-back weeks, while the 49ers are coming off a win over the New England Patriots. 

Something will have to give in this game, and the Seahawks will be motivated to knock off the 49ers and prove that they are the real deal.

Keep in mind, the Seahawks are still alive to win the NFC West, though they will need to win out and see the 49ers lose both of their last two games. Still, it's possible, and it starts in this game.

Defense will rule in this one, with the 49ers and Seahawks possessing the NFL's second- and third-best defenses, respectively. 

Their two phenom quarterbacks, Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson, will be hard-pressed to find any offense, but it will be a blast to watch them try.