Merry Christmas; Week 16 Picks
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| My Super Bowl prediction of Raiders vs. Packers was wrong as both won't be making the playoffs this holiday season. (Image courtesy of NFLRush.com) |
Seattle vs. Dallas is a playoff game. Detroit, Tennessee, Baltimore, Buffalo, L.A. Chargers, and Atlanta have playoff games as well.
I won't bore you with my predictions on which 12 teams we'll see in the playoffs, but I will tell you these last two weeks and the playoffs are going to be exciting. It's an exciting time of year and Santa may bring some NFL fans a playoff berth this Christmas. Picks are next.
Week 16 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
BALTIMORE (8-6) over Indianapolis (3-11)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Ravens get another win against a lesser team -- going into this game the Ravens strength of victory (SOV) is .321, the third lowest in the AFC -- and keep those playoff hopes alive. They'll most likely be in the playoffs as the schedulers have given them a terrific Christmas gift by ending the season against Cleveland, Indianapolis and Cincinnati.
Minnesota (11-3) over GREEN BAY (7-7)
Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
Aaron Rodgers did all he could save the Packers season, but it wasn't enough as my pick to win the Super Bowl won't even be in the playoffs. Vikings meanwhile all but wrap up a first-round bye with a victory at Lambeau Field Saturday night.
CHICAGO (4-10) over Cleveland (0-14)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
With the Browns heading to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers next week, this could be the last opportunity Cleveland has to winning a game this season. The Bears aren't a good team, but they're better than the Browns. Cleveland loses this week and next week to finish 0-16, the first team to have a winless season since the Detroit Lions in 2008.
Detroit (8-6) over CINCINNATI (5-9)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET (Fox)
There are reports saying that Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis plans on leaving the team at the end of the year to "explore other opportunities." Marvin hasn't confirmed these reports, but my guess would be he has one step out the door already as the team looked less than inspired last week in Minnesota. Bengals will get embarrassed again on Christmas Eve in front a half-empty stadium. Lions slim playoff hopes remain alive.
L.A. Rams (10-4) over TENNESSEE (8-6)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET (Fox)
This is a dangerous L.A. Rams team. I would not want to play them in January. L.A. demolished the Seahawks in Seattle last week rushing for 244-yards and holding Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense to just 149-yards of total offense. The Rams have a ton of young talent and they're going to be good for quite some time. I can't wait to watch them in the playoffs. The Titans meanwhile continue to play poorly as they've picked the wrong time to lose three in a row.
KANSAS CITY (8-6) over Miami (6-8)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
Dolphins officially get eliminated with a loss in Kansas City to the Chiefs. The Chiefs seem to have finally turned things around, winning their last two games by a combined score of 56-28, just in time for the playoffs.
NEW ENGLAND (11-3) over Buffalo (8-6)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
New England defeated Buffalo 23-3 once already this season and although I don't expect such a one sided game on Sunday, I do expect the same outcome. Patriots get the win and move one step closer to clinching home-field advantage yet again.
NEW ORLEANS (10-4) over Atlanta (9-5)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET (Fox)
I'm picking the Saints here for two reasons. First, don't put much stock in the Falcons win over the Saints a little over two weeks ago. It was a Thursday night game, the Saints were on the road and had a bunch of injuries. Second, RB Alvin Kamara was knocked out of the game on the opening possession after suffering a concussion. With Kamara healthy and the Saints at home on a regular week, they'll beat the Falcons.
L.A. Chargers (7-7) over N.Y. JETS (5-9)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
Chargers get the win, but they might have blown their chances at making the playoffs with last week's loss to the Chiefs. They'll need help if they're going to be playing football in January.
WASHINGTON (6-8) over Denver (5-9)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
The Broncos have been playing better, winning two-straight, but that was against the Colts and the Jets, who didn't have Josh McCown for a full game. The Redskins have been a disappointing team this season, but they, for now, have a better quarterback than the Broncos in Kirk Cousins. Cousins will be the difference in a Washington win.
CAROLINA (10-4) over Tampa Bay (4-10)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET (Fox)
Panthers clinch a playoff berth with a home win against the Buccaneers and setup a big game next week against the Falcons that could be for the NFC South division title.
Jacksonville (10-4) over SAN FRANCISCO (4-10)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)
49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo has been impressive in his three games as the starter and has led San Francisco to three-straight wins. The 49ers still need some players, but it looks like they have their quarterback of the future. Jacksonville didn't think they had their quarterback of the future, but Blake Bortles has been playing a lot better and he's got a terrific team around him. The Jaguars get the win, but Jimmy and the 49ers keep it close.
DALLAS (8-6) over Seattle (8-6)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox)
This is a playoff game. No ifs, ands, or buts about it, the loser of this one is done and the winner stays alive. It's that simple. Now, at the end of the Week 17 I don't see either one of these teams making the playoffs, but I've been wrong before. If one of these teams does manage to find their way into the postseason that team will be the Dallas Cowboys. RB Ezekiel Elliott returns from his six-game suspension this week and he'll be fresh and ready to carry the Cowboys to the playoffs. Seattle was just annihilated by the Rams last week and you have to wonder if their run as a dominate team in the NFC is over. The need to revamp their entire offensive line, they still don't have an elite wide receiver, and the defense is starting to show it's age. Time to blow things up in Seattle? Maybe, but for now they'll miss the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
ARIZONA (6-8) over N.Y. Giants (2-12)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox)
Since returning to the starting lineup QB Eli Manning has thrown the ball 103 times in two games, completing 66% of his passes with 4 TD and 3 INT. Manning needs just 189-yards to pass John Elway for sixth all-time in career passing yards. I think Eli will pass Elway on Sunday, but the Giants lose again and secure the second pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh (11-3) over HOUSTON (4-10)
Monday, 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC, Amazon Prime)
Even with WR Antonio Brown out for the reminder of the regular season, the Steelers should have no problem defeating the Texans in Houston on Christmas Day.
PHILADELPHIA (12-2) over Oakland (6-8)
Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
It may have been against the Giants, but QB Nick Foles proved that he can still play by completing 24 of 38 passes for 237-yards and 4 TD. Problem is the Eagles defense has to figure it out as they gave up 504-yards and 29 points to Eli Manning and one of the worst offenses in the NFL. Christmas night will be the Eagles first home game in almost a month and they'll give their fans a late gift by defeating the Raiders and clinching home-field throughout the playoffs.
Last Week: 11-5
Overall: 141-83 (.629)
To those of you, the very few, who read this blog on a consistent basis, thank you. And here's to hoping everyone has a very Merry Christmas!
The best Christmas movie of all-time is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and it's not even close. No one celebrates Christmas quite like Clark Griswold.
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