WEEK 16 NFL PREDICTIONS

RECORD LAST WEEK:14-2

RECORD FOR THE SEASON:149-73

Thursday, December 19th, 7:15 PM CT

Denver Broncos 9-5 @ Los Angeles Chargers 8-6

It’s a fascinating Thursday night matchup between two AFC West playoff hopefuls. The Denver Broncos head to LA to play the Chargers. With a win, the Broncos would clinch their first playoff berth since 2015. After losing two in a row, the Chargers are fighting to keep their playoff spot in the AFC. The first time these two teams met, LA was able to outclass Denver. This time, I believe the Broncos will get revenge.

Broncos 20 Chargers 19

Confidence Level:5

X-Factor: Bo Nix

Best Bet: Broncos +3

Saturday, December 21st, 12:00 PM CT

Houston Texans 9-5 @ Kansas City Chiefs 13-1

Two Saturday games kick off with the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans. The Texans have underperformed this season but Patrick Mahomes' status is up in the air as he injured his ankle in the win over the Browns last Sunday. I believe Mahomes will play and the Chiefs will win.

Texans 20 Chiefs 23

Confidence Level: 7

X-Factor : Chiefs offensive Line

Best Bet: Patrick Mahomes over 1.5 passing touchdowns 

Saturday, December 21st, 3:30 PM CT

Pittsburgh Steelers 10-4 @ Baltimore Ravens 9-5

Another great matchup this Saturday as the Ravens host the Steelers for first place in the AFC North. The Steelers have been Lamar Jackson’s kryptonite in recent years, but not this Saturday. The Ravens defeat their arch nemesis and regain first place in the AFC North.

Pittsburgh Steelers 21 Ravens 27

Confidence Level:7

X-Factor: Lamar Jackson

Best Bet: Lamar Jackson over 1.5 passing touchdowns 

Sunday, December 22nd, Noon CT Games

Cleveland Browns 3-11 @ Cincinnati Bengals 6-8

The AFC North has another matchup this weekend between the bottom two teams in the division as the Cleveland Browns make a short trip to Cincy. The Bengals offense should keep rolling in a win over the Browns.

Browns 16 Bengals 34

Confidence Level: 9

X-Factor: Joe Burrow

Best Bet: Joe Burrow over 1.5 passing touchdowns 

Arizona Cardinals 7-7 @ Carolina Panthers 3-11

The Panthers reminded us last week they are still one of the worst teams in the NFL and with the Cardinals coming to town still fighting for a playoff spot, I’ll take Arizona to get the W.

Cardinals 24 Panthers 21

Confidence Level: 8

X- Factor : James Conner

Best Bet: James Conner anytime touchdown 

Philadelphia Eagles 12-2 @ Washington Commanders 9-5 

The Commanders host the red hot Eagles who have won 10 straight games. Washington needs this game to take a commanding lead over their NFC Wild Card spot but Philly is just too good right now, and they’ll get the win on the road.

Eagles 24 Commanders 23

Confidence Level:6

X-Factor: Saquon Barkley

Best Bet: Saquon Barkley over 96.5 rushing yards 

New York Giants 2-12 @ Atlanta Falcons  7-7

The Falcons have officially benched Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix. Which at this point, even in the playoff hunt may be for the best. Cousins has struggled mightily over the last two months and it may be too late to save Atlanta’s playoff hopes, but at least they’ll keep them alive another week with a win over the Giants.

Giants 13 Falcons 23

Confidence Level:9

X-Factor: Michael Penix Jr

Best Bet: Falcons moneyline 

Detroit Lions 12-2 @ Chicago Bears 4-10

The Lions tasted defeat for the first time since September in their 48-42 loss to the Bills last week. Now they travel to Chicago to face a Bears team that had Detroit on the ropes back on Thanksgiving. I believe the Lions will win again this time in more dominant fashion.

Lions 26 Bears 16

Confidence Level: 10

X-Factor : Jahmyr Gibbs

Best Bet: Jahmyr Gibbs over 99.5 rushing + receiving 

Los Angeles Rams 8-6 @ New York Jets 4-10

The Rams are picking up momentum at the right time and now they face a Jets team that is 2-8 in their last 10 games. This isn’t the Jets defense we’ve come to know and even with Aaron Rodgers playing better recently, I’ll still take the Rams to win.

Rams 30 Jets 23

Confidence Level: 7

X- Factor: Puka Nacua

Best Bet: Matthew Stafford over 1.5 passing touchdowns 

Tennessee Titans 3-11 @ Indianapolis Colts 6-8 

The Titans are done and the Colts very well may be also. Indy had a devastating loss last week to the Broncos that has put their playoff hopes at slim to none. They should still be able to get the win over the Titans though.

Titans 17 Colts 24

Confidence Level: 8

X-Factor: Anthony Richardson

Best Bet: Colts moneyline

Sunday, December 22nd, 3 PM CT Games

Minnesota Vikings 12-2 @ Seattle Seahawks 8-6 

The Seahawks could be without quarterback Geno Smith and you have to imagine even if he does play, his ankle won’t be feeling the best. The Vikings thrive off their creative blitz packages and if Geno can’t move or if they have to start Sam Howell, the Vikings could very well run away with this one. 

Vikings 28 Seahawks 17

Confidence Level: 8

X- Factor: Brian Flores

Best Bet: Vikings -3

San Francisco 49ers 6-8 @ Miami Dolphins 6-8 

Surprisingly both teams are unlikely to make the playoffs but this still has potential to be a good game. I believe the 49ers force Tua into a few turnovers and get the win.

49ers 26 Dolphins 21

Confidence Level:8

X- Factor : Brock Purdy

Best Bet: 49ers moneyline 

Jacksonville Jaguars 3-11 @ Las Vegas Raiders 2-12

It's a nasty matchup between two of the worst teams in the NFL. Jacksonville makes the long trip to Vegas to face the Raiders. I’ll just take the Jags by default in the game; only Jags and Raiders fans will be watching.

Jaguars 17 Raiders 14

Confidence Level: 0

X- Factor: N/A

Best Bet: Under 30 min of time this game will be on my screen

New England Patriots 3-11 @ Buffalo Bills 11-3

Josh Allen is playing on another level right now, and he should have no problem picking apart a bad Patriots defense. The Bills get the win at home.

Patriots 16 BIlls 33

Confidence Level:10

X- Factor: Josh Allen

Best Bet: Josh Allen over 1.5 passing touchdowns 

Sunday, December 22nd, 7:20 PM CT 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-6 @ Dallas Cowboys 6-8

The Bucs are on the road for the second straight week and face a Cowboys team surprisingly playing good football right now. Dallas however, isn’t good enough to go toe to toe with Tampa barring a Micah Parsons masterclass. I’ll go with the Bucs to win on the road.

Bucs 30 Cowboys 20

Confidence Level:9

X- Factor: Mike Evans 

Best Bet: Mike Evans over 67.5 yards

Monday, December 23rd, 7:15 PM CT

New Orleans Saints 5-8 @ Green Bay Packers 10-4 

The Saints almost pulled off an insane comeback over the Commanders last week. This week, they face a heavyweight in the Packers, who, if not for their division rivals, Minnesota and Detroit, would get a lot more buzz for how they’re playing as of late. I expect a big night from Jordan Love as he’s heating up going into the playoffs.

Saints 17 Packers 30

Confidence Level:10

X- Factor m: Jordan Love

Best Bet: Josh Jacobs anytime touchdowns