NFL Week 16 early games live discussion

SB Nation

As we wait for the Detroit Lions to take the field in the 4 p.m. ET window (4:25 p.m. ET kickoff), NFL Week 16 continues with an early slate that… well, it sucks.

Of the seven games kicking off at 1 p.m.

ET, only one (Buccaneers vs. Panthers) involves two teams still in the playoff hunt. For some reason, that’s not the local game, though. Instead, people in Michigan will have to either sit through Bills at Browns or Chargers at Cowboys. Why anyone would want to watch those games, I do not know.

But if you’re lucky enough to have Sunday Ticket or NFL Red Zone, you can catch Bucs vs. Panthers.

As for what matters for the Lions and their playoff odds, the answer is nothing. All of these games have no impact on Detroit’s route to the postseason. Maybe you’re interested in pre-scouting the Vikings, as the Lions will face off against their division foe in just five days.

Here’s a look at the games the 1 p.m. ET slot has to offer:

Bills at Browns — CBS — Local game for Michiganders
Chargers at Cowboys — FOX — Local game for Michiganders
Chiefs at Titans — CBS
Bengals at Dolphins — CBS
Jets at Saints — CBS
Vikings at Giants — FOX
Buccaneers at Panthers — FOX

I told you it’s a pretty brutal schedule.

But we’re three weeks away from the end of the regular season, and bad football is still better than no football. So if you’re watching, make sure to join our live conversation at the bottom of this page in the comment section. Talk about the games, or vent about how the stupid dumb Packers threw away that game last night. Or if you just want to talk Lions football, that’s okay, too. Our Lions vs. Steelers live discussion will go up about an hour before kickoff.