NFL Week 16 Picks - Early Games
NFL Week 16 Early Games
All times Eastern
Results:
4:30 pm Washington Redskins at Tennessee Titans (-10, 37) - Both teams are in contention for a playoff spot, so don't expect the Redskins to just roll over and die, even with third stringer, Josh Johnson, at QB. Johnson's no rookie, he's been on the sidelines for seven years, so he's mature enough to not give the game away. The 'Skins eked out an important, 16-13, win at Jacksonville last week and the team is planning on winning out and heading to the playoffs. They have Philadelphia next, so this is a must win for Washington.
The Titans are likewise looking to win their final two games. At 8-6, they need a win here and host Indianapolis next week. They've won three straight and are very much alive, but the pressure is enormous. A tight game to the finish is expected.
Coin Flip: Washington
PREDICTION: Titans 24 Redskins 21
A case can be made for either team, but Baltimore has won four of their last five, the only loss a 27-24 OT defeat at KC in week 14. This being a pretty even match, the Ravens with points has a certain appeal, especially since the Chargers may suffer a little letdown after defeating the Chiefs, 29-28, last Thursday.
Coin Flip: LA Chargers
PREDICTION: Ravens 31 Chargers 24
1:00 pm Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (-3, 47) - Both teams are likely out of the playoff hunt (5-9 Atlanta definitely is, Carolina is on the cusp at 6-8), so this game is of limited importance. The Panthers are beaten, having lost six straight, and QB Cam Newton may be concealing an injured shoulder.
Matt Ryan has no issues, health-wise, so look for him to light up this divisional opponent and sweep the season series. Atlanta won in week two, 31-24.
Coin Flip: Atlanta
PREDICTION: Flacons 30 Panthers 13
Meanwhile, the Bills are feeling good about the future - and the present. Since Josh Allen returned, he's 2-2, including last week's 14-13 squeaker over the Lions. The two recent losses were close calls: 21-17 at Miami; 27-23 against the Jets. Allen has given the offense some life and the defense is pretty stingy.
The Bills may not win here, but they'll make the Patriots aware that they're a force with which to reckon going forward.
Coin Flip: Buffalo
PREDICTION: Bills 23 Patriots 20
The Browns are a hot commodity with Baker Mayfield at quarterback. They've won four of five and are seeking a .500 season, which, they would achieve with a home win. This is their final home game of the season, so they won't let their die-hard fans down.
Coin Flip: Cleveland
PREDICTION: Browns 28 Bengals 14
Coin Flip: NY Jets
PREDICTION: Jets 24 Packers 17
The Texans had their nine-game win streak snapped by the Colts in week 14, but got back on the winning track with a win over the Jets in New York, 29-22, last week.
The Eagles have won three of four, knocking off the Rams last week, 30-23, and have Nick Files at quarterback, which gives them an edge. Houston is also on the road for the second straight week.
Coin Flip: Philadelphia
PREDICTION: Eagles 20 Texans 13
Coin Flip: Jacksonville
PREDICTION: Dolphins 26 Jaguars 20
Minnesota won the first meeting back in November, 24-9, and the Lions are arguably worse now and the Vikings even better.
Coin Flip: Detroit
PREDICTION: Vikings 34 Lions 14
They are getting the best Andrew Luck has to offer, and the defense has also stepped up recently. The Giants are playing out the string and probably will be in this through three quarters, but the Colts should put up a couple of late scores to clinch it.
Coin Flip: NY Giants
PREDICTION: Colts 31 Giants 17
The path is clear for Dallas. Win this final home game and knock off the Giants in New York next week and you're the division champ and in the playoffs. Tampa Bay has been eliminated for a few weeks now, so players may be playing for jobs next season, but their hearts won't be into the game as much as those of the Dallas players.
Coin Flip: Tampa Bay
PREDICTION: Cowboys 31 Buccaneers 6
All information relating to the content of magazines presented in the Collectible Magazine Back Issue Price Guide has been independently sourced from published works and is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. All pages on this web site, including descriptions and details are copyright 1999-2024 Downtown Magazine Inc., Collectible Magazine Back Issue Price Guide. All rights reserved.
DTMagazine Home
Sports Home
Week 16 Late Games
NFL Week 15: Coin: 7-8-1; Rick: 9-6-1
Cumulative: Coin: 99-114-6; Rick: 108-110-6
Saturday, December 22
8:20 pm Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers (-4 1/2, 44 1/2) - This game is huge for the Ravens, who are tied with Tennessee and Indianapolis for the final wild card slot. The Chargers are already in with an 11-3 mark and may end up champs of the AFC West if they win out and KC loses a game.
Sunday, December 23
1:00 pm Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-12 1/2, 45) - It's pretty obvious that the Patriots aren't playing at their usual championship level, and, as the season wears on, Tom Brady is showing his age more and more. In last week's 17-10 loss at Pittsburgh, Brady had opportunities to tie the game late, but failed to deliver. The Patriots are no longer an elite team.
1:00 pm Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns (-7, 45) - Jeff Driskel led the Bengals to a 30-16 win over the visiting Raiders last week, but this game is on the road, against an improving divisional opponent.
1:00 pm Green Bay Packers at New York Jets (-1, 44) - It doesn't get much uglier than this. The Packers are 5-8-1, the Jets, 4-10. Ugh!
1:00 pm Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles (-1, 45) - Big, big game and probably too close to call. Houston can wrap p the AFC South with a win, while the Eagles need to win to keep playoff hopes alive.
1:00 pm Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins (-4 1/2, 39) - The Dolphins can make the playoffs if they win both of their games but they need help from others. They are 6-1 at home, while the Jags are just 1-5 on the road. The Dolphins will be pulling out all the stops. The Jaguars will be pulling out the golf clubs soon.
1:00 pm Minnesota Vikings (-5 1/2, 43 1/2) at Detroit Lions - This is a must win for the Vikings, as they need to win here and next week against the Bears to lock up a wild card. While Minnesota has worked out their offensive problems with a 41-17 win over the Dolphins last week, the Lions were outplayed by the Bills, 14-13, and once again are in the basement of the NFC North.
1:00 pm New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts (-9, 46 1/2) - The Colts are playing like their hair is on fire, last week snuffing the Cowboys, 23-0, wining for the seventh time in their last eight.
1:00 pm Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys (-7, 46 1/2) - There's still work to be done by the Cowboys, who are 8-6, but only a game ahead of the Eagles and Redskins in the NFC East.
