NFL Week 16 Picks
By Hector Vazquez
OVERALL RECORD 162–61–1
WEEK 15 RECORD 11–5
MURPHY’S LAW is a popular adage that states that “things will go wrong in any given situation, if you give them a chance,” or more commonly, “whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.” AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT THIS PAST WEEK WHEN THE NEW YORK JETS AND CINCINNATI BENGALS BOTH DEFEATED PLAYOFF TEAMS, THE ATLANTA FALCONS CONTINUES TO FIND WAYS TO BLOW A BIG DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD AND THE NFC EAST LEADER HAS ONLY 6 WINS. WITH TWO FULL WEEKS LEFT, LET’S LOOK AT THIS WEEKS GAMES.
Vikings VS Saints
FOOTBALL ON CHRISTMAS.
The Vikings are in desperation mode after a loss to the Bears, but they are up against a Saints defense that ranks in the top against the run and pass. MY PICK: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Buccaneers VS Lions
Tom Brady averages 293 passing yards with four TDs and no interceptions in Tampa Bay’s last two victories. THEY COULD BE A TEAM NO ONE WANTS TO FACE COME PLAYOFF TIME. MY PICK: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
49ers VS Cardinals
The 49ers will have to resort to playing spoiler, but the Cardinals have more to play for at this point. San Francisco has lost six of their last seven games, and Kyler Murray will make enough plays to keep that losing streak going. MY PICK: ARIZONA CARDINALS
Dolphins VS Raiders
The Raiders are in desperation mode, and they likely will turn to Marcus Mariota against the Dolphins. Miami is 4–2 on the road this season, and they have thrived off turnovers. Salvon Ahmed is an emerging running back, and he’ll be a difference-maker against a Raiders’ defense that allows 125.8 yards rushing. MY PICK: MIAMI DOLPHINS
Chiefs VS Falcons
Atlanta ranks 31st in the NFL in pass defense at 287.7 points per game. Patrick Mahomes II continues his MVP-caliber season. MY PICK: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Browns VS Jets
The Browns continue their New York tour against the Jets, who picked up their first victory of the season. Cleveland keeps it simple with another double-dose of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, and Baker Mayfield — who has thrown just one interception in his last seven games. MY PICK: CLEVELAND BROWNS
Colts VS Steelers
The Colts have not committed a turnover in their last three wins, and the Steelers are coming off a DISAPPOINTING LOST TO CINCINNATI. BUT THE STEELERS BOUNCE BACK AND MAKE A STRONG STATEMENT AT HOME. MY PICK: PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Panthers VS Washington Football Team
Washington coach Ron Rivera faces his former team with a playoff berth in sight. The Panthers have lost three straight one-score games, but their defense came alive in the second half against Green Bay. Teddy Bridgewater leads a break-through game that puts Washington in a precarious position. MY PICK:
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Jaguars VS Bears
Mitchell Trubisky has completed more than 70 percent of his passes in his last three starts, and that comes with five TDs and just one interception. That surge continues against the Jaguars. MY PICK: CHICAGO BEARS
Giants VS Ravens
Lamar Jackson has his mojo back, and the Ravens reignited their season with two straight victories, BUT I NEVER BET AGAINST MY TEAM!!!! MY PICK: NEW YORK GIANTS
Bengals VS Houston Texans
The Bengals ARE COMING OFF AN IMPRESSIVE WIN AGAINST THE STEELERS, BUT Deshaun Watson puts up his fifth 300-yard game in six weeks. MY PICK: HOUSTON TEXANS
Patriots VS Cowboys
The Eagles and Cowboys might have losing records, but this game still has NFC playoff implications. Dallas has come alive with back-to-back victories, and Andy Dalton has played well in the Cowboys’ last two victories. Jalen Hurts — a Houston native — is back in his home state. This will be a much more exciting matchup than the first one. MY PICK: DALLAS COWBOYS
Broncos VS Chargers
The Broncos won the first matchup, 31–30, and Drew Lock and Justin Herbert will go at it again for Week 16. The Chargers win another close one. MY PICK: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Seahawks VS Rams
The Seahawks can clinch the NFC West and still press for home-field advantage with a victory here. The Rams continue to be one of the league’s most possible contenders. The Rams have won five of the last six meetings. It’s on the Seahawks to answer. I DO NOT SEE AN upset. MY PICK: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Packers VS Titans
The Packers are inching closer toward home-field advantage, but the Titans bring the league’s highest-scoring offense to Lambeau Field. Derrick Henry will have a big game, but so will Aaron Rodgers. The Titans allow 276 passing yards per game. MY PICK: GREEN BAY PACKERS
Bills VS Patriots
The Bills are AFC East champions, and now the opportunity to sweep the rival Patriots is there. The Bills might be the hottest team in the NFL, and Josh Allen continues the winning streak. MY PICK: BUFFALO BILLS
