NFL Predictions: A Look at Every NFL Game This Season
By Steven Kriz
Week 16
Thursday, Dec. 22nd-
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles:
The Giants have a very good shot to win this division, and they are not going to let the Eagles stand in their way. Manning hits Odell Beckham Jr. nine times on the day for 182 yards and two TD’s. The Eagles could very well have the number one pick, which makes the Browns very happy. At least they have a first rounder via Minnesota.
The Pick: Giants 26 Eagles 17
Saturday, Dec. 24th-
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills:
The battle for worst in the East comes full frontal as Tyrod Taylor puts on a brilliant performance. He is now certain to get a huge payday from some team. The Bills are not expected to exercise the option on his contract that would count $29 million against their cap in 2017, making him a free agent. Some team will be able to get a franchise quarterback in free agency, a rarity in the NFL.
The Pick: Bills 34 Dolphins 23
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints:
The Buccaneers have a legitimate shot to secure a wildcard berth, but the Saints have been a tough team at home, and Drew Brees is a very prideful player. Brees comes out hot, throwing three first half touchdowns. Winston does his best to match him, as he puts up 189 yards in the air on the first half and a score, and Doug Martin adds two goal line scores and the game is tied at 21 at half and the shootout is on. It continues into the third quarter as Brees and Winston exchange touchdown passes. The fourth quarter though belongs to the kid from Florida State as he helps the Bucs top Brees and the Saints.
The Pick: Buccaneers 42 Saints 31
New York Jets at New England Patriots:
The Jets would love to be able to go into New England and get a win to deliver them a division crown. Nope, not going to happen. Tom Brady comes out throwing and hits Gronk for three TD’s on the day, and Edelman for two more and the Patriots put themselves in a good position to win yet another division title.
The Pick: Patriots 38 Jets 17
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars:
The Jags bounce back nicely this week, doing what most teams have done to the Titans–beat them handily.
The Pick: Jaguars 27 Titans 16
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers:
The Packers aren’t about to be outdone at home by the Bridgewaterless Vikings. Not when home field is still in play.
The Pick: Packers 28 Vikings 13
San Diego Chargers at Cleveland Browns:
The Chargers are looking for one final stand, but so are the Browns. Despite the record, RGIII has been solid this year and gives the Browns great hope for the future for the first time in a long time. Another solid performance earns another good win.
The Pick: Browns 23 Chargers 16
Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears:
After upsetting the Panthers a week ago, the Skins come out and lay an egg at Soldier Field. The Bears feel very good about their win, just not about the way the rest of the season has gone.
The Pick: Bears 27 Redskins 13
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers:
Last season, the Falcons upset the Panthers in week 16 to end their bid at a perfect season. Last week the Panthers were upset by the lesser Redskins. A second upset in two weeks is not in the cards.
The Pick: Panthers 35 Falcons 24
Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders:
The Raiders aren’t going to make the playoffs, but don’t think they don’t want to have their first winning season since 2002. A win against the Colts helps them put themselves in a position to do so. The Colts could have used the win to solidify a playoff spot, now they will have to go into week 17 with their fate not yet decided.
The Pick: Raiders 27 Colts 20
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks:
The Seahawks have a chance to lock down the NFC West, and they do just that. Behind the 12th man, the Hawks light up the Cardinals. Wilson throws for two TD’s and adds a rushing TD for good measure.
The Pick: Seahawks 31 Cardinals 17
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams:
Jared Goff has a real nice day. A rare turnover free day from the rookie, combined wit two TD passes helps the Rams secure an easy win over the Niners.
The Pick: Rams 24 49ers 10
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans:
The Bengals come in to Houston and shut down the Houston offense entirely. Houston is limited to 156 yards o the day, and the Texans only points come because a fumble in Bengals territory.
The Pick: Bengals 26 Texans 7
Sunday, Dec. 25th-
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers:
Christmas Day is good to the Steelers, not so good to the Ravens. Big Ben throws for four TD’s and Joe Flacco throws two INT’s.
The Pick: Steelers 38 Ravens 17
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs:
This was never going to be an easy task for the Broncos, playing on a Christmas Night where the temperature never gets above 8 degrees. Paxton Lynch is not bothered by the cold, knifing passes through a stiff wind, and delivering the Broncos a Christmas Night win. The Broncos have home field locked up in the AFC, and are the hands down favorites to win the Super Bowl for the second straight year.
The Pick: Broncos 26 Chiefs 16
Monday, Dec. 26th-
Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys:
The Cowboys are battling for their playoff lives, but on this night, the Lions offense is too much. Matthew Stafford delivers a brilliant perfomance, and injuries to Tony Romo may have cost the Cowboys yet another chance to win a bad division.
The Pick: Lions 27 Cowboys 17
Standings:
AFC East
New England Patriots: 9-6
New York Jets: 9-6
Buffalo Bills: 6-9
Miami Dolphins: 4-11
AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals: 10-5
Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-5
Baltimore Ravens: 8-7
Cleveland Browns: 5-10
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts: 9-6
Jacksonville Jaguars: 9-6
Houston Texans: 4-11
Tennessee Titans: 2-13
AFC West
Denver Broncos: 13-2
Kansas City Chiefs: 8-7
Oakland Raiders: 8-7
San Diego Chargers: 4-11
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- The Broncos’ coaching search likely has not gone to plan
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NFC East
New York Giants: 9-6
Dallas Cowboys: 8-7
Washington Redskins: 6-9
Philadelphia Eagles: 2-13
NFC North
Green Bay Packers: 12-3
Detroit Lions: 8-7
Minnesota Vikings: 6-9
Chicago Bears: 5-10
NFC South
Carolina Panthers: 12-3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10-5
New Orleans Saints: 6-9
Atlanta Falcons: 6-9
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks: 12-3
Arizona Cardinals: 10-5
Los Angeles Rams: 7-8
San Francisco 49ers: 3-12
Next: Week 17