NFL 2013: Week 16 Predictions

The Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans offers one
of the greatest home-field advantages in the NFL.
(Photo courtesy of ESPN.com)

Home, sweet home.

The casual fan would think that winning a football game on the road in the NFL wouldn't be that hard. I mean, it's not like these players have to endure five hour bus rides or stay at Bob's Motel on road trips. NFL teams have their own charter flights and stay at first class hotels wherever their schedule takes them.

Winning on the road, how hard can it be?

Hard, very hard. Through 15 weeks, NFL teams are a combined 88-135 on the road. That's a dismal, .395 winning percentage.

It's something that I can't wrap my mind around, but it is something to keep in mind when making your picks the rest of the season.

Week 16 Picks (Home team in CAPS)

Miami over BUFFALO: The Dolphins need a win to try and keep pace with the Ravens for the final Wild Card spot in the AFC. And I think they'll get it, but it will be close. 

KANSAS CITY over Indianapolis: These two teams may very well meet up again in two weeks in playoffs and I think that Kansas City will win both matchups if it comes to that. 

ST. LOUIS over Tampa Bay: I'm taking the Rams in this meaningless game for the simple fact that the Buccaneers are a dreadful 1-5 on the road this season and they travel to St. Louis on Sunday. 

NY JETS over Cleveland: If you were to look up unwatchable in the NFL dictionary, you will find the Jets and Browns logos. Both of these teams are terrible and

WASHINGTON over Dallas: Dallas has the worst defense in the league and to honest; I don't think they can win a game the rest of the season. Why they were throwing the ball up by 23 last week against Green Bay is beyond me and still has me scratching my head. Redskins QB Kirk Cousins should have a great game and I think he will be the difference in a Washington win. 

CAROLINA over New Orleans: I want to pick the Saints here, but I just can't bring myself to do it. New Orleans is a different team away from the Superdome. They are 3-4 on the road this season compared to 7-0 at home and average fewer than 20 points a game away from New Orleans. Drew Brees and the Saints might have won their first meeting with the Panthers, but I don't think they will win the second time around. 

JACKSONVILLE over Tennessee: Jacksonville beat Tennessee back in Week 10, 29-27, and it was in Tennessee no less. With the Jaguars being at home this time around, I like them to beat the Titans for a second time. 

Denver over HOUSTON: Denver had a hiccup last week against the Chargers, but don't expect another one this Sunday in Houston. Peyton Manning has had 10 days to prepare and expect him and the Broncos to dominate the woeful Texans. 

DETROIT over NY Giants: How bad has Eli Manning been playing lately? Over the past five games, Eli has thrown nine interceptions and only five touchdowns. He was so bad last week that his QBR was 2.1, due in large part to the five interceptions he threw against the Seahawks. 

SEATTLE over Arizona: Seattle is playing at home, where they never lose. Arizona can kiss their playoff chances goodbye. 

GREEN BAY over Pittsburgh: No Aaron Rodgers. No problem. Packers win at Lambeau and put pressure on Lions and Bears. 

SAN DIEGO over Oakland: The Oakland Raiders have given up 49, 24, 23, 23, 31, 37, and 56 points in their last seven games, respectively. They are a surprising 1-6 in those games. I'll go with San Diego to score 33 on Sunday in a win. 

New England over BALTIMORE: Great game in store for late afternoon Sunday when Tom Brady goes into Baltimore to battle the red hot Ravens. Baltimore is on a roll right now and sticking with the home, sweet home theme, they should win this game. However, when was the last time that New England lost back-to-back games? It rarely happens and with the Patriots coming off a loss, I think they will rebound and clinch a playoff spot with a tough win. 

PHILADELPHIA over Chicago: This should be a great game Sunday night and I think either team has a chance to win this game. Philadelphia actually has a better record on the road than they do at home, but I still like them to win and put that much more pressure on the Cowboys.

SAN FRANCISCO over Atlanta: The 49ers get the win as the say goodbye to Candlestick, a stadium that has seen a lot of great moments over the years. 

BENGALS over Vikings: Minnesota has one of the worst defenses in the league and as long as the Bengals don't play like they did in the first quarter last week against the Steelers, they'll win. Baltimore is red hot and a Bengals loss plus a Ravens win on Sunday, makes next week's game in Cincinnati between the two a virtual playoff game. The Bengals don't want it to come down to that and I think they will play well against the Vikings. Watch out for RB Adrian Peterson though, injured or not, he will give the Bengals all they can handle. Bengals 34, Vikings 20. 

Last Week: 8-8

Overall: 139-84