Week 16 NFL Picks and Results

Thursday
Minnesota at Green Bay: With both teams coming into the game at 6-8, they need the victory to still have a shot at the playoffs. The loser will be officially eliminated. With rookie quarterback Jackson getting his first start for Minnesota and the game being played in Lambeau, I give the edge to the crafty veteran Favre over the newbie.
Green Bay 21 Minnesota 17
Green Bay 9 Minnesota 7 (1-0)


Saturday
Kansas City at Oakland: The Chiefs have been struggling some of late, but at 7-7 and playing in the superior AFC, they need to win their final two games to have any shot at going to the playoffs. Fortunately for them, that first game is against the hapless Raiders.
Kansas City 20 Oakland 6
Kansas City 20 Oakland 9 (2-0)


Sunday
Baltimore at Pittsburgh: Like the before-mentioned Chiefs, the Steelers sit at 7-7 and need to win their final two games to have any shot at going to the post-season. Like last year, Pittsburgh is playing their best football at this juncture of the season. With the game at home, with the quarterback position being a question mark for the Ravens, and with all the momentum they bring into the game, I'm going with Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh 24 Baltimore 17
Baltimore 31 Pittsburgh 7 (2-1)


Carolina at Atlanta: This is a potential make or break game for both teams with the Panthers strolling in at 6-8 and the Falcons at 7-7. The Panthers need this game to have any shot at a post-season berth and the Falcons most likely need this one for a similar fate. With the game at home, revenge on the Falcons' minds following their dominating defeat at home last year to these same Panthers, and Vick's wanting to make up for last year's lazy performance to close the season, I like Atlanta to up their mark to 8-7.
Atlanta 24 Carolina 17
Carolina 10 Atlanta 3 (2-2)


Chicago at Detroit: I'm going to pick the Bears for the simple fact that they're 12-2 and going against a 2-12 Lions club. I am somewhat hesitant, however, for the simple fact that Chicago has clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and don't have much to play for in this game.
Chicago 31 Detroit 24
Chicago 26 Detroit 21 (3-2)


Indianapolis at Houston: The Colts lost to the Titans once, almost twice this year, so it's no game is a gimme. With how they performed against the Bengals on Monday night, it's hard for me to see Houston putting up much of a fight.
Indianapolis 38 Houston 17
Houston 27 Indianapolia 24 (3-3)


New England at Jacksonville: It will be a tough week of practice for the Jaguars this week following their 24-17 loss to the Titans. Jacksonville dominated from start to finish, but allowed three defensive touchdowns. At home, I like Coach Del Rio to help his team rebound for a big victory to stay in the playoff hunt.
Jacksonville 24 New England 21
New England 24 Jacksonville 21 (3-4)


New Orleans at NY Giants: I don't know which way to really lean in this one. But, with the Giants playing the way they have been, especially on defense, I see the Saints' offense having their way with them. The Giants' O should make things interesting, though. This has all the ingredients of being quite an entertaining game.
New Orleans 31 NY Giants 28
New Orleans 30 NY Giants 7 (4-4)


Tampa Bay at Cleveland: The Bucs should a lot of grit and fight last week in their 34-31 loss to Chicago. Even with their record being what it is, they haven't given up in any week and I see that as being the reason for their beating the Browns on Sunday.
Tampa Bay 20 Cleveland 13
Tampa Bay 22 Cleveland 7 (5-4)


Tennessee at Buffalo: I don't know that I've been right on Buffalo all year. Both teams enter the game at 7-7 and have an outside shot at making the playoffs. With the game at home and their defense playing very well over the past month, I'm taking the Bills. Knowing that, I should probably take the Titans, but I'll stick with my first pick.
Buffalo 21 Tennessee 17
Tennessee 30 Buffalo 29 (5-5)


Washington at St. Louis: St. Louis still has an outside chance at making the playoffs, but with how they've played the past month or so, I'm not thinking they'll even get past the Redskins to keep their slim hopes alive. Washington's defense has played well the past month, Jason Campbell has filled in nicely for Mark Brunell, and LaDell Betts has run all over defenses recently. Clinton who?
Washington 24 St. Louis 20
St. Louis 37 Washington 31 OT (5-6)


Arizona at San Francisco: As hard as it is for me to believe, the 49ers are not out of the playoff race yet. At 6-8 and with two of those wins against NFC West-leading Seattle, the Niners could win out and make the playoffs if Seattle falls to San Diego and their Week 17 opponent. Well, I see Week 16 as providing more hope for 49er fans, as they come up with a big home win against the Cardinals.
San Francisco 28 Arizona 24
Arizona 26 San Francisco 20 (5-7)


Cincinnati at Denver: Cincy didn't play very well on Monday night, but are still right in the thick of the playoff race, as are the Broncos. With Carson Palmer, Rudi and Chad Johnson, and T.J. Houshmanzadeh, I see the Broncos rebounding and winning a big one in Denver.
Cincinnati 24 Denver 17
Denver 24 Cincinnati 23 (5-8)


San Diego at Seattle: The Seahawks have fallen on hard times. At 8-6, they've yet to clinch a playoff berth and may need a win in Week 17 to do so, because I can't see them beating the Chargers in this one.
San Diego 31 Seattle 17
San Diego 20 Seattle 17 (6-8)


Monday
Philadelphia at Dallas: The only chance Philly has of winning the East is to beat Dallas on Monday Night. Even if they lose, they face Atlanta in Week 17 and have a shot at making the playoffs with a win in that game. Marion Barber, Terrell Owens, and Tony Romo are all playing solid football and even though the Eagles are overachieving, it's hard for me to see them win this one in Dallas.
Dallas 28 Philadelphia 24
Philadelphia 23 Dallas 7 (6-9)


NY Jets at Miami: Outside of the Patriots, there seems to be little to no consistency in the rest of the AFC East. Miami shut out those Pats 21-0 two weeks ago and then got shutout 21-0 by Buffalo. With the game at home, I give the edge to the Dolphins.
Miami 21 NY Jets 17
NY Jets 13 Miami 10 (6-10)


Week 16 Record: 6-10 (.375)
Overall Record:136-102 (.571)