The NFL concludes Week 16 with a Monday Night Football matchup between the New Orleans Saints (5-9) and the Green Bay Packers (10-4). With the NFL playoffs coming into focus, most teams know exactly where they stand heading into the postseason.

The Saints have been eliminated from the competition and will play for pride from now on. They’ve already fired their head coach, so they’re not looking to establish an identity yet, but players will be auditioning for the next coaching staff or a new home in free agency, so there are ways to stay motivated.

The Packers are one win away from securing a spot in the postseason, and the Saints offer Green Bay the most direct path to that goal. Although the Packers are officially locked out of winning the NFC North, they will clinch a playoff spot with a win against New Orleans and will sit firmly at No. 6, with a chance at No. 5 if they can get some more wins in the last two weeks (they play the Vikings in Week 17 and the Bears in Week 18).

Betting line and tip for the game

The people over there FanDuel Sports Betting are heavily favored for Green Bay in this game, the betting limit is Packers -14.5 points.

Not only are the Packers the more talented team, they also have a lot to offer. But look no further than Sunday night’s game, when the Cowboys (with nothing to win) upset the Buccaneers, dropping them from No. 3 to No. 8 and out of the current playoff rankings. Still, I would be surprised if the Packers bow out in this game.

Forecast: Packers 28-14

Here’s how to watch tonight’s Monday Night Football game:

Saints at Packers

Date: Monday, December 23, 2024
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
TV: ESPN
Announcer: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Lisa Salters (field reporter)
Online streaming: ESPN+, ESPN APP, NFL Sunday Ticket via YouTube, NFL+ Premium