NFL Picks, Week 16

The Cowboys ended the unbeaten run of the Saints and the Colts survived late to remain unbeaten in the star to a crazy fifteenth week of the year. The Steelers bounced back into the playoff picture with an amazing final drive and two Browns offensive players had monster days to cap the weekend. The NFC playoffs are all but set with only 3 teams vying for the 2 final spots. The AFC on the other hand is wide open with 8 teams still with a chance to get in.

San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans

The Chargers continue to impress and look like a team capable of winning the Bowl. Phillip Rivers has been finding Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates with regularity while LaDanian Tomlinson finds big running lanes up front. The Chargers defense has been playing just as well to win 9 straight. The Titans are trying to pull off the improbable of making the playoffs after the brutal 0 and 6 start. Vince Young will play well but the Chargers are too much for the Titans playoff hopes.

Prediction: 27 – 17 Chargers

Fantasy Player to Watch: Vincent Jackson – 100+ yards, TD

Buffalo Bills at Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan came back to lead the Falcons down the field and a game winning drive against the Jets last week. Michael Turner continues to have ankle problems but Jason Snelling has thrived with his chance. The Falcons defense is playing as well as they have all year. Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Bills offense seems to have slowed recently and Terrell Owens looks on the verge to another blowup. Atlanta takes this one.

Prediction: 28 – 14 Falcons

FPTW: Roddy White – 100+ yards, TD

Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals played with heavy hearts and it was obvious as their offense slowed late against the Chargers. Chad Ochocinco had a fantastic game and should play well for Chris Henry the remainder of the year. Cedric Benson may have got back on track so look for a big game from his as last week Jerome Harrison got loose for 287 yards against the poor Chief defense. Chiefs keep it close in this one.

Prediction: 24 – 13 Bengals

FPTW: Cedric Benson – 100+ yards, 2 TD

Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns

This may in fact be a great game. The Raiders seem to be unbeatable when they face playoff caliber teams but struggle mightily when they play weak teams. The Browns are riding high off the tremendous games from Harrison and Josh Cribbs but will be playing without Brady Quinn. JaMarcus Russell returned to the field and led the Raiders to a game winning drive a week ago. Raiders win in Cleveland.

Prediction: 24 – 17 Raiders

FPTW: Take your pick. Your guess is as good as mine.

Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers

The Packers played poorly on defense and it cost them as they never could quite figure out the Steelers passing game. Aaron Rodgers and Ryan Grant had big days and you can expect more of the same this week against the Seahawk lackluster defense. Matt Hasselbeck was awful in the loss to Tampa and doesn’t have a favorable matchup this week at Lambeau. The Packers roll the Seahawks.

Prediction: 41 – 14 Packers

FPTW: Aaron Rodgers – 300+ yards, 3 TD

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers came back in a big way last week with close to 600 yards total offense. It took a diving, toe tapping, final second touchdown catch to pull out of the losing streak but it could spark a playoff run late in the year. We have seen Pittsburgh do it before and I expect them to do it again. The Ravens currently hold the final playoff spot and need this game to help put them closer. This one is a cant miss.

Prediction: 27 – 21 Steelers

FPTW: Ben Roethlisberger – 300+ yards, 2 TD

Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins

The Texans are coming off a poor performance against the Rams but still managed to grab a win. Houston is playoff hungry and need a win right now to stay in the hunt and knock out another hopeful. Chad Henne and Ricky Williams are trying their best to score points and help out the defense but points have been scarce recently. Texans win in a great defensive game.

Prediction: 24 – 21 Texans

FPTW: Andre Johnson – 150+ yards, TD

Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots

The Jaguars proved last Thursday night that they can play like a playoff team. The problem seems to be playing that way every week. The Patriots have won their last two despite never looking like the dominant team of past years. David Garrard will take the Jags into New England and grab a coveted win in the AFC playoff race.

Prediction: 31 – 21 Jaguars

FPTW: Maurice Jones-Drew – 100+ yards, TD

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints

The Saints won’t finish this year undefeated, but can still win fifteen games and the one seed. Drew Brees helped mount a massive fourth quarter comeback that fell just short but will not need to even be playing in the final quarter this week. The Bucs are coming off a great win against a lousy Seattle team but will hit a wall this week. Look for Darren Sharper to make a couple of picks on Josh Freeman. Saints dominate the Bucs this week.

Prediction: 45 – 10 Saints

FPTW: Drew Brees – 300+ yards, 4 TD

Carolina Panthers at New York Giants

Both the Panthers and Giants played extremely well a week ago and won decisively. The Panthers surprised everyone by shutting down Brett Favre and the Vikes and managed to move the ball soundly against them. The Giants went up against a lesser opponent and stayed in the playoff race. Another decisive win and the Giants will be right there for the final week.

Prediction: 27 – 14 Giants

FPTW: Eli Manning – 260+ yards, 2 TD

St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals

The Rams have tanked and are leading the race for the number 1 pick in the 2010 draft. The Cardinals are continuing another run to the playoffs with a prolific passing game and a surprise running game. Beanie Wells has given the Cards the running game they’ve never had. An improved defense and the Cardinals are poised for another deep run in January.

Prediction: 38 – 14 Cardinals

FPTW: Beanie Wells – 100+ yards, TD

Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers

The Lions kept pace with the Cardinals due to a few big plays. The 49ers don’t allow big plays. Frank Gore and Alex Smith will be too much for the weak Lions defense to stop. The Lions have been able to move the ball with more consistency this year but haven’t been as consistent on defense. San Fran takes this one comfortably.

Prediction: 31 – 17 49ers

FPTW: Frank Gore – 100+ yards, TD

Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles

The Broncos were riding high as a lock to make the postseason and then were derailed by the Raiders last week. Kyle Orton and Brandon Marshall should bounce back this week and keep pace with Donovan McNabb and the soaring Eagles. Desean Jackson continues to have monster game after monster game by getting behind defenses. Eagles top the Broncos on a late field goal.

Prediction: 27 – 24 Eagles

FPTW: Desean Jackson – 100+ yards, TD

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts

The Colts look to remain unbeaten as the slumping Jets roll into Indy. Peyton Manning may not see the field for the entirety but will make the most of his time in the game. Mark Sanchez returned from injury a week ago but was unable to lead his team to victory. The Jets keep it interesting for a while but then mistakes late will cost them.

Prediction: 30 – 20 Colts

FPTW: Pierre Garcon – 70+ yards, TD

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins

The Cowboys are coming off a thrilling December upset of the unbeaten Saints and look to continue rolling into the playoffs. Earlier in the year these two teams played an offenseless battle in Dallas with the Cowboys coming out on top by 1. Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense should explode this time around as everyone has been rolling through Washington.

Prediction: 34 – 14 Cowboys

FPTW: Jason Witten – 100+ yards, TD

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

The Bears lousy season continues as Jay Cutler never has really got into a rhythm with any of his offensive mates. Earl Bennett contributes last week with a kickoff return touchdown but they will need more than that to topple the Vikings. Adrian Peterson looks to bounce back this week with a monster game and seal the deal on a two seed for the Vikes.

Prediction: 31 – 10 Vikings

FPTW: Adrian Peterson – 100+ yards, 2 TD

Last week: 8-8
Overall: 49-31

Thanks for reading and Merry Christmas!