Merry Christmas; Week 16 Picks
Merry Christmas!
With Christmas falling on a Sunday this year, the NFL will play the majority of their games on Saturday this week and there is a lot to play for as the playoffs are right around the corner.
Speaking of playoffs, we have an updated playoff picture.
The Cardinals and Bengals were the latest teams to get a red X this past week and I'd imagine a few more teams will get crossed out as teams who will play for Super Bowl LI after this week's slate of games.
Let's get right to picks.
Week 16 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
NY Giants over PHILADELPHIA (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFLN, NBC, Twitter): Missed this one. If QB Eli Manning throws the ball 63 times, then the Giants aren't going to win a playoff game.
BUFFALO over Miami (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Rex Ryan will probably lose his job by the end of the year, but beating the Ryan Tannehill-less Dolphins will help his odds.
NEW ENGLAND over NY Jets (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The Jets are an absolute disaster and they probably won't win a game the rest of the season. Meanwhile, the Patriots can all but wrap up home-field advantage with a win over the dismal Jets on Christmas Eve.
Tennessee over JACKSONVILLE (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Titans were able to keep pace with the Texans in the AFC South by coming back and defeating the Chiefs at Arrowhead last Sunday. Tennessee should easily defeat Jacksonville, who fired head coach Gus Bradley after Sunday's loss to the Texans. If Tennessee wins, then that sets up a huge game with the Texans on New Year's Day.
GREEN BAY over Minnesota (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Packers momentum continues and playoff chances increase with a win at Lambeau Field over the rival Vikings.
CLEVELAND over San Diego (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Browns move one game closer to going 0-16.
Washington over CHICAGO (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): The Bears gave the Packers a game last week, so it wouldn't surprise me if they upset the Redskins here. I do think Washington will win, but they'll need some help to get into the playoffs.
Atlanta over CAROLINA (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Atlanta can get into the playoffs a variety of different ways this week, but beating Carolina for a second time this season will only help their chances. The Falcons beat the Panthers, 48-33, earlier in the year and I expect another high scoring game in this one.
OAKLAND over Indianapolis (Saturday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Raiders get the win and move closer to getting a first-round bye, while the Colts playoff hopes are squashed.
Tampa Bay over NEW ORLEANS (Saturday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): The Buccaneers most likely won't clinch a playoff spot this week, but they'll improve their chances with a win over the Saints. New Orleans meanwhile gets eliminated with a loss.
SEATTLE over Arizona (Saturday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Seattle can clinch a first-round bye with a win and losses by Detroit and Atlanta. It may not happen today, but I do think the Seahawks will get that coveted bye. Arizona has been a huge disappointment this season and their season can't end soon enough.
LOS ANGELES over San Francisco (Saturday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Two of the worst teams in football battle it out today and I'll go with the Rams. I think they're the least worse team of the two.
HOUSTON over Cincinnati (Saturday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFLN): Almost took the Bengals here since the Texans are switching to Tom Savage at quarterback over the disappointing Brock Osweiler, but I went with the Texans. Houston has the number one defense in the league and the Bengals were shutout in the second half last week against the Steelers. Even with the inexperienced Savage, I don't see the Bengals being able to score enough points to beat the Texans on Christmas Eve.
PITTSBURGH over Baltimore (Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET, NFLN): Hugh game on Christmas afternoon. The AFC North is up for grabs and the Ravens have to beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh if they're to get into the playoffs. The Steelers clinch the division with a win and although a loss doesn't eliminate the Ravens, their chances are pretty slim if they lose. Steelers have more firepower on offense and they'll have an advantage being a home as well.
KANSAS CITY over Denver (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): Broncos are in big trouble. The defending Super Bowl champs may miss the playoffs if they can't win at least one of their remaining two games. It won't be easy as they play at the Chiefs and then host the Raiders next week. The last time these two teams played, they combined for 11 sacks and 15 hits on the quarterback. Von Miller and Justin Houston had three sacks each. In the end, I think the Chiefs have the advantage of Alex Smith over Trevor Siemian at quarterback and they're tough to beat at home. Expect Houston and Miller to have big games as well.
DALLAS over Detroit (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): Don't be surprised if the Lions pull off the upset here. Dallas clinched home-field advantage with the Giants losing on Thursday, so theoretically they have nothing to play for. If Dallas plays all their guys and doesn't take their foot off the gas, they should win this game. These two might meet again in a few weeks in the playoffs though.
Merry Christmas!
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 12-4
Overall: 142-83 (.631)
With Christmas falling on a Sunday this year, the NFL will play the majority of their games on Saturday this week and there is a lot to play for as the playoffs are right around the corner.Speaking of playoffs, we have an updated playoff picture.
The Cardinals and Bengals were the latest teams to get a red X this past week and I'd imagine a few more teams will get crossed out as teams who will play for Super Bowl LI after this week's slate of games.
Let's get right to picks.
Week 16 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
NY Giants over PHILADELPHIA (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFLN, NBC, Twitter): Missed this one. If QB Eli Manning throws the ball 63 times, then the Giants aren't going to win a playoff game.
BUFFALO over Miami (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Rex Ryan will probably lose his job by the end of the year, but beating the Ryan Tannehill-less Dolphins will help his odds.
NEW ENGLAND over NY Jets (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The Jets are an absolute disaster and they probably won't win a game the rest of the season. Meanwhile, the Patriots can all but wrap up home-field advantage with a win over the dismal Jets on Christmas Eve.
Tennessee over JACKSONVILLE (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Titans were able to keep pace with the Texans in the AFC South by coming back and defeating the Chiefs at Arrowhead last Sunday. Tennessee should easily defeat Jacksonville, who fired head coach Gus Bradley after Sunday's loss to the Texans. If Tennessee wins, then that sets up a huge game with the Texans on New Year's Day.
GREEN BAY over Minnesota (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Packers momentum continues and playoff chances increase with a win at Lambeau Field over the rival Vikings.
CLEVELAND over San Diego (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Browns move one game closer to going 0-16.
Washington over CHICAGO (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): The Bears gave the Packers a game last week, so it wouldn't surprise me if they upset the Redskins here. I do think Washington will win, but they'll need some help to get into the playoffs.
Atlanta over CAROLINA (Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Atlanta can get into the playoffs a variety of different ways this week, but beating Carolina for a second time this season will only help their chances. The Falcons beat the Panthers, 48-33, earlier in the year and I expect another high scoring game in this one.
OAKLAND over Indianapolis (Saturday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS): Raiders get the win and move closer to getting a first-round bye, while the Colts playoff hopes are squashed.
Tampa Bay over NEW ORLEANS (Saturday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): The Buccaneers most likely won't clinch a playoff spot this week, but they'll improve their chances with a win over the Saints. New Orleans meanwhile gets eliminated with a loss.
SEATTLE over Arizona (Saturday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Seattle can clinch a first-round bye with a win and losses by Detroit and Atlanta. It may not happen today, but I do think the Seahawks will get that coveted bye. Arizona has been a huge disappointment this season and their season can't end soon enough.
LOS ANGELES over San Francisco (Saturday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX): Two of the worst teams in football battle it out today and I'll go with the Rams. I think they're the least worse team of the two.
HOUSTON over Cincinnati (Saturday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFLN): Almost took the Bengals here since the Texans are switching to Tom Savage at quarterback over the disappointing Brock Osweiler, but I went with the Texans. Houston has the number one defense in the league and the Bengals were shutout in the second half last week against the Steelers. Even with the inexperienced Savage, I don't see the Bengals being able to score enough points to beat the Texans on Christmas Eve.
PITTSBURGH over Baltimore (Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET, NFLN): Hugh game on Christmas afternoon. The AFC North is up for grabs and the Ravens have to beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh if they're to get into the playoffs. The Steelers clinch the division with a win and although a loss doesn't eliminate the Ravens, their chances are pretty slim if they lose. Steelers have more firepower on offense and they'll have an advantage being a home as well.
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| The Broncos had zero answers for Chiefs LB Justin Houston in their first meeting this season. (Photo Courtesy of USATODAY Sports) |
DALLAS over Detroit (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): Don't be surprised if the Lions pull off the upset here. Dallas clinched home-field advantage with the Giants losing on Thursday, so theoretically they have nothing to play for. If Dallas plays all their guys and doesn't take their foot off the gas, they should win this game. These two might meet again in a few weeks in the playoffs though.
Merry Christmas!
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 12-4
Overall: 142-83 (.631)
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