Week 16 NFL Picks

Second-to-last post of the year...meaning I won't get a chance to further rip Oregon St. for an extremely poor and unprepared performance last night against BYU in the Vegas Bowl.

On that note, here are this week's NFL picks:

Week 16 NFL Picks

HOME TEAMS IN CAPS
Last Week: 11-5
Overall: 154-70 (68.8%)

San Diego Chargers 27, TENNESSEE TITANS 24
-Tennessee's slim playoff hopes die at the hands of the best team in the NFL (since Week 7 that is)...and San Diego clinches the #2 seed in the AFC and a first round bye with this victory.

ATLANTA FALCONS 23, Buffalo Bills 7
-The Bills are down to their 3rd QB, former Packers practice squad member Brian Brohm...the Falcons' defense should have a field day.

CINCINNATI BENGALS 30, Kansas City Chiefs 13
-Cinci will clinch the AFC North with a rousing home win dedicated to the memory of their former teammate Chris Henry.

CLEVELAND BROWNS 16, Oakland Raiders 13
-And in this week's version of the Toilet Bowl, I'll take the home team...that's about all I can say to justify this one outside of the fact that both teams have played surprisingly better of late.

GREEN BAY PACKERS 31, Seattle Seahawks 16
-The Packers win their 2009 home finale and put themselves in a nearly invincible position for an NFC Wild Card spot. Despite his tendency to hold the ball too long, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers has become a superstar in this league.

MIAMI DOLPHINS 24, Houston Texans 17
-The Dolphins still have an outside shot at an AFC Wild Card berth...and with the last two games at home, you never know what can happen...

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 14
-The Chargers are one team that does not want to play Tom Brady and company in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 33, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10
-The Saints get back on the winning track after a surprising home slip-up against Dallas last Saturday night.

NEW YORK GIANTS 24, Carolina Panthers 20
-These teams put on a classic last December when the #1 seed in the NFC was on the line...the stakes aren't nearly as high this time.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 23, Baltimore Ravens 20
-The Steelers will play with more fire on defense than in previous weeks in order to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

ARIZONA CARDINALS 35, St. Louis Rams 13
-The Cards don't have much to play for here...but Kurt Warner and company should still put on a show against his old team. A loss by the Rams here will likely clinch the 1st pick in the 2010 NFL Draft for St. Louis.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 28, Detroit Lions 10
-The 49ers are playing for pride...the Lions...well...for a lower draft pick?

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 20, New York Jets 14
-How much will the Colts starters play with an undefeated season on the line? I would really be surprised if New York wins here...but it should be a low-scoring game regardless.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 26, Denver Broncos 16
-Philly is playing for the NFC East title and potentially the #2 seed in the playoffs while Denver is aiming for an AFC Wild Card berth. The Broncos will clinch their spot next week with a win over hapless Kansas City.

Dallas Cowboys 27, WASHINGTON REDSKINS 20
-Washington always is up for this game no matter their record...but the disparity in talent between both teams will be clearly evident in this matchup.

Minnesota Vikings 28, CHICAGO BEARS 20
-Minnesota desperately needs a win here...or it will be time to declare that the wheels have fallen off the Vikings Super Bowl bus.


Have a great holiday weekend everyone! Back next Wednesday with Week 17 picks!