Week 16 in the NFL brings us two exciting matchups. On Monday, the Philadelphia Eagles will face off against the New York Giants in a marquee battle between Eagles center Jason Kelce and Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Despite being considered undersized for his position at 295 pounds, Kelce has proven time and time again that he is one of the best in the league. On the other side, Lawrence, weighing in at 340 pounds, is the highest-graded defensive player according to Pro Football Focus. However, Lawrence is dealing with a lingering hamstring issue that may limit his playing time. Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale praised Kelce, stating that he embodies the spirit of Philadelphia with his mean yet smart playing style. Martindale even compared matching wits with Kelce to facing off against legendary quarterback Peyton Manning in a chess match.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the New York Jets will take on the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. The spotlight will be on Jets cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed as they try to contain Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin. The Jets defense has been solid throughout the season, but they did give up a big play last week when Jaylen Waddle scored a 60-yard touchdown against Reed. McLaurin, who had an impressive performance last week with six catches for 141 yards and a touchdown, poses a similar threat. Gardner, in his sophomore season, is still searching for his first interception, and this could be his opportunity as Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has thrown the most interceptions in the league this season. The Jets duo of Reed and Gardner have been a force to be reckoned with and are motivated to earn Pro Bowl invitations.

In terms of the Jets' offense, they have struggled to score points all season. With Trevor Siemian set to start at quarterback, he will become the fourth different signal-caller for the Jets this year. Siemian, who previously started for the Jets in 2019 before suffering a season-ending injury, is aiming for his first win as a starter since 2017. The Jets' offensive line has been a weak point, allowing six sacks last week against the Dolphins. They will need to improve their protection as they face a formidable Commanders defensive line led by Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Additionally, Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has his sights set on reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the season, a feat that no Jets wide receiver has achieved since Keyshawn Johnson in 1998-99.

Overall, the Giants face an uphill battle against the Eagles, with a 10-game losing streak in Philadelphia. The Eagles will be looking to bounce back after three straight losses and are expected to dominate the line of scrimmage, an area where the Giants have struggled to compete. On the other hand, the Jets' offense will need to find a way to score against a weak Commanders defense, while the Jets defense will focus on pressuring Howell, who has been prone to interceptions and sacks. Both games are sure to provide excitement and determine the fate of these teams as the regular season comes to a close.