NFL WEEK 16 PREDICTIONS
RECORD LAST WEEK: 11-5
RECORD FOR THE SEASON: 137-82
Thursday, December 21st, 7:15PM CT
New Orleans Saints 7-7 @ Los Angeles Rams 7-7
Every game at this point in the season has huge playoff implications and this is one of them as both teams are fighting for positioning in the NFC Playoff Picture. Both teams put up dominant performances in their wins last week, now on a short week it’ll be interesting to see who can carry that momentum into Thursday’s game. The Saints will keep it close but Matthew Stafford is playing at a top-five level right now and will lead the Rams to a win.
Saints 20 Rams 24
Confidence Level:7
Saturday, December 23rd, 3:30PM CT
Cincinnati Bengals 8-6 @ Pittsburgh Steelers 7-7
These two AFC North teams face off in a game that has similar implications as the Saints vs Rams game I just wrote about. The Bengals have won three straight games as Jake Browning is playing his tail off at the moment. Pittsburgh has lost three straight and will be starting Mason Rudolph at quarterback. Cincy sounds like they’ll be without Ja’marr Chase but even if he doesn’t play, give me the Bengals to end the Steelers playoff hopes.
Bengals 21 Steelers 17
Confidence Level:4
Saturday, December 23rd, 7:00PM CT
Buffalo Bills 8-6 @ Los Angeles Chargers 5-9
Buffalo is on fire right now and they get to face a Chargers team that has just fired their head coach and essentially given up on the season. Buffalo has even found a run game as James Cook ran for 179 yards in their win over the Cowboys. I don’t expect the Chargers to allow 63 points again but with the way the Bills are playing, they’ll get to 30+.
Bills 33 Chargers 16
Confidence Level:10
Sunday, December 24th, Noon Games
Cleveland Browns 9-5 @ Houston Texans 8-6
Another big game occurs as the Browns travel to Houston. The Browns, despite numerous injuries, are 9-5 and are in control of the fifth seed in the AFC. Houston was able to get a road win over the Titans last week without their young star QB C.J. Stroud, now facing a tough Browns defense without Stroud again will be another story. Give me Cleveland to get their 10th win of the season.
Browns 24 Texans 17
Confidence Level:6
Indianapolis Colts 8-6 @ Atlanta Falcons 6-8
The Colts, despite not having the most talented roster, sit at 8-6 and face the Falcons who are currently in a bit of a meltdown here at the end of the season. Atlanta suffered a huge loss last week to the Panthers giving Carolina only their second win of the season. Atlanta must win if they want to keep any hopes of a playoff chance alive but in the end, I think Indy wins.
Colts 26 Falcons 23
Confidence Level:5
Washington Commanders 4-10 @ New York Jets 5-9
A matchup between the worst defense in football vs the worst offense should provide us with a very intriguing game. The moveable object against the stoppable force comes down to whether the Jets can block. New York has the defense that can take over this game and I believe the Jets will get the win at home.
Commanders 14 Jets 19
Confidence Level:2
Detroit Lions 10-4 @ Minnesota Vikings 7-7
The Lions can clinch the division with a win this weekend, their first division title since 1993. Minnesota let a game slip away on the road last weekend against the Bengals and now will need to get this win to keep up with the rest of the teams in the hunt in the NFC. I’ll take the Lions to clinch the NFC North on the road.
Lions 27 Vikings 23
Confidence Level:7
Green Bay Packers 6-8 @ Carolina Panthers 2-12
The Packers, after defeating the Lions and Chiefs, went on to lose the last two games to the Giants and Bucs. Carolina got a win over the Falcons giving them only their second win of the season. I can’t see Green Bay losing their third straight game.
Packers 23 Panthers 13
Confidence Level:9
Seattle Seahawks 7-7 @ Tennessee Titans 5-9
The Titans can win this game but at the same time, I witnessed them lose to the Case Keenum-led Texans last week. Seattle, on a short week after an emotional win and potentially with Geno Smith back, should win.
Seahawks 28 Titans 24
Confidence Level:8
Sunday, December 24th, 3PM Games
Jacksonville Jaguars 8-6 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-7
Trevor Lawrence is battling a concussion to go along with his high ankle sprain, plus the poor play of the Jaguars in recent weeks, makes me want to pick the Bucs who have been playing well lately. Baker Mayfield and company win their fourth straight.
Jaguars 19 Bucs 22
Confidence Level:8
Arizona Cardinals 3-11 @ Chicago Bears 5-9
Both teams suffered defeat last week and will look to bounce back. Chicago has shown improvement in recent weeks now hosting Arizona we get a matchup between two dynamic quarterbacks, Kyler Murray and Justin Fields. I smell the potential for an upset here, but I’ll roll with Chicago to get the win.
Cardinals 14 Bears 23
Confidence Level:7
Dallas Cowboys 10-4 @ Miami Dolphins 10-4
A big game takes place in Miami as the Cowboys look to get back on track after suffering a disappointing defeat in Buffalo last Sunday. Miami had a dominant 30-0 win over the Jets, now they should have Tyreek Hill back for this game against one of the NFL’s best secondaries. There’s a narrative that Dallas doesn’t play well on the road but I believe it’s more so that they don’t respond to adversity well. Miami is better at home so this game spells another potential embarrassment for Dallas but in the end, Miami should get in.
Cowboys 28 Dolphins 30
Confidence Level:4
Sunday, December 24th, 7:15PM CT
New England Patriots 3-10 @ Denver Broncos 7-7
As typical Broncos games go in 2023, this should be a physical game. New England is in contention for the number one overall pick while the Broncos are still fighting for a playoff spot. The Denver defense had its first bad game in a few months in their defeat to the Lions last Saturday. I believe the Broncos get back to creating turnovers and hitting a few big plays to Courtland Sutton to get the win.
Patriots 13 Broncos 26
Confidence Level:9
Monday, December 25th, 12:00PM CT
Las Vegas Raiders 6-8 @ Kansas City Chiefs 9-5
The Raiders were able to put up 63 points in their win over the Chargers last Thursday. Now they face a Chiefs team that is still trying to find their footing. KC hopefully will have Isiah Pacheco back and that should do wonders in a game that will be closer than people think.
Raiders 20 Chiefs 26
Confidence Level:9.5
Monday, December 25th, 3:00PM CT
New York Giants 5-9 @ Philadelphia Eagles 10-4
Man, what is going on with the Eagles? It seems like some of their luck this season is running out as they’ve lost three games in a row. Now they get to host a Giants team that Philly should be able to handle. I’ll take the Eagles to end their win streak.
Giants 17 Eagles 28
Confidence Level:9
Monday, December 25th, 7:15PM CT
Baltimore Ravens 11-3 @ San Francisco 49ers 11-3
Easily, the game of the week and a potential Super Bowl matchup, the Ravens head to San Francisco to face the 49ers on Christmas night. The Ravens have weird lulls in games sometimes and they won’t be able to afford that this week against a 49ers team that can score at will. Baltimore will play tough but in the end, it’s tough for me to see anyone beating the Niners right now.
Ravens 24 49ers 29
Confidence Level: 6.5
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