Week 16 Picks

Miami Dolphins (8-6) vs Buffalo Bills (5-9)

Dolphins won their last three straight while the Bills won last week against the dismal Jaguars. Dolphins are in control of their own destiny and need this win to help propel them into the playoffs. While they have been plagued by controversy this season, the team has played pretty well without any big name stars on their roster. QB Ryan Tannehill has an overall QB rating of 86.6 having thrown 23 TDs. Meanwhile the Bills will be without starting QB EJ Manuel who is still suffering from swelling on his left knee. This injury has plagued him all season and with the production numbers of the rest of his offense down because of it, this team will struggle through their final games. Bills won their earlier matchup so expect the Dolphins to win this one. Prediction: Dolphins

New Orleans Saints (10-4) vs Carolina Panthers (10-4)

The Saints come in off a surprising loss against the Rams while the Panthers come in off a win against the Giants. If the Saints win they clinch the NFC South, the number 2 seed and a first round bye. With a loss the Panthers will have the same opportunity in Week 17. The Saints have loss two out of their last three while the Panthers have won two out of their last three. These teams are pretty evenly matched with both having a prolific offense and a struggling defense. With Saints having won the last matchup, the Panthers should win this one at home. Prediction: Panthers

Dallas Cowboys (7-7) vs Washington Redskins (3-11)

Cowboys come in off three straight losses while the Redskins come in off two straight losses. The Redskins have ended QB RGIII's season in hopes to conserve him for next year giving QB Kirk Cousins the opportunity to make his second start. The Redskins will have to spend their offseason addressing their issues on both the offensive and defensive lines if they have any hope of improving their future. They will look to try to play spoiler this week at home against the Cowboys who have also struggled with issues on their offense and defense. Cowboys have been plagued with injuries at key positions all season long which has contributed heavily to their season woes. Despite this fact, they are only one game out of first place and still have a chance to make the playoffs. Prediction: Cowboys

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10) vs St. Louis Rams (6-8)

The Bucs come in off a loss against the 49ers while the Rams come in off a win against the Saints. The Bucs have had a terrible season with the inconsistent play at quarterback being a major factor in their woes. The Rams have struggled for the same reason after QB Sam Bradford was put on injured reserve early in the season. Neither team will make the playoffs but the Rams can pull out a .500 season with this win. Prediction: Rams

Cleveland Browns (4-10) vs New York Jets (6-8)

Browns come in off five straight losses while the Jets come in off a loss last week against the Panthers. Browns have not been able to find a reliable healthy quarterback to play for them all season and have a horrible running game. The Jets have been inconsistent at best and deplorable at worse with QB Geno Smith unable to win back to back games all season. The quarterback and receiver issue will have to be addressed this offseason. Prediction: Jets

Indianapolis Colts (9-5) vs Kansas City Chiefs (11-3)

The Colts come in off a win against the lowly Texans while the Chiefs are the winner of two straight though both against sub .500 teams. Both of these teams are in the playoffs and are playing for a chance to earn a first round bye. Chiefs have had a soft schedule this season and dropped three in a row against teams that were more evenly matched with them. This team has made a miraculous turn around from last season when they finished 2-14 but have faced very few teams above .500 which inflates there numbers. This game against the Colts will be another test against how good of a team they really are. Colts have soundly beaten the teams in their division but have struggled against better teams in stronger divisions. The loss of Reggie Wayne early in the season proved to be more costly than anticipated but the Colts biggest woes have been on defense. This game should be the highlight matchup of the weekend with playoff implications for both teams. Prediction: Chiefs

Minnesota Vikings (4-9-1) vs Cincinnati Bengals (9-5)

The Vikings come in off a surprising win against the Eagles while the Bengals come in off a loss against the Steelers. Bengals are in control of their playoff destiny. Last week was their first loss in a month and a win this week would keep them undefeated at home this season. A win Sunday would secure them a playoff berth and the AFC North title. The Vikings season has been deplorable brought about by the atrocious play at quarterback. Christian Ponder will most likely not be back next season as he has been relegated to the backup role and proved ineffective as a starter. QB Matt Cassel has given the team some hope but it is on the legs of RB Adrian Peterson that the Vikings have eeked out the few wins they have this season. Prediction: Bengals

Denver Broncos (11-3) vs Houston Texans (2-12)

Broncos come in off a surprising loss against the Chargers while the Texans have lost 12 straight games. The Broncos can clinch the division title, the number one seed and a first round bye with a win this week. This will be difficult in the face of numerous injuries on defense. The Broncos may the most prolific offense but their defense has been suspect and plagued with insurmountable injuries all season. Texans have had to overcome numerous injuries on both sides of the ball which led them to fall completely off and to the firing of their head coach. They will have issues on both sides of the ball and in coaching once the season is over. Prediction: Broncos

Tennessee Titans (5-9) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10)

Titans come in off three straight losses while the Jags come in off a loss last week against the Bills. These are two terrible teams in desperate need of help on offense. Titans have been without QB Jake Locker since November and with Fitzpatrick playing inconsistent and RB Chris Johnson not producing, this season has been a total loss for them. They will need to make serious changes in the off season if they ever have hopes to return to a playoff caliber team. Jags won three straight before losing last week, but still have not found the big play quarterback they need to take them to the next level. The suspension of WR Justin Blackmon early in the season proved to be their undoing and now with WR Cecil Shorts III out this team will have a tough time winning their last two games. Prediction: Titans

Arizona Cardinals (9-5) vs Seattle Seahawks (12-2)

Cardinals come in off two straight wins while the Seahawks come in off a win last week against the Giants. The Cardinals have found a more reliable quarterback with QB Carson Palmer this season but the addition of RB Rashard Mendenhall has been the best acquisition on their offense. The Cards still have a chance to make the playoffs with a win this week but will have a tough game ahead. The Seahawks managed to bounce back last week after a shocking loss to the 49ers the week before. They have the best record in the league and the best defense. They are unbeatable at home. Prediction: Seahawks

New York Giants (5-9) vs Detroit Lions (7-7)

Both the Giants and the Lions come in off two straight losses with the Lions clinging to a fading hope of still making the playoffs. QB Eli Manning has thrown 25 INTs this season and lacks an offensive line to keep him from being sacked (he's been sacked 36 times this season). They will need to make major changes in the offseason. Lions are a consistently mediocre .500 team. Their defense keeps them on a losing track by costing them points at the end of games. Whoever controls the turnover battle will win this game. Prediction: Lions

New England Patriots (10-4) vs Baltimore Ravens (8-6)

Patriots come in off a loss last week to the Dolphins in Miami while the Ravens come in off four straight wins. A win this week for the Patriots ensures them the AFC East title. The Ravens need a little more help to make it into the playoffs. The Pats have a firm hold of the AFC East and an impressive list of wins this season. They have been reliable on both sides of the ball only finding some struggles on special teams. Ravens have not had great production out of RB Ray Rice this season and after signing a $100M contract in the off-season, Flacco's numbers have been unimpressive. This team is especially disappointing on defense. Prediction: Patriots

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8) vs Green Bay Packers (7-6-1)

Steelers come  in off a win against the Bengals last week while the Packers are the owners of two straight. Steelers have sruggled all season after losing C Maurkice Pouncey in the first game of the season. That loss left the Steelers having to scramble to find a reliable player to fill the position and resulted in QB Ben Roethlisberger being sacked 40 times this season. This season is a bust for them so a win or loss will not matter at this point. Packers still have a slim hope of making the playoffs and need this win to insure it. QB Aaron Rodgers is questionable to return this week but Matt Flynn has filled the role well in his absence. Prediction: Packers

Oakland Raiders (4-10) vs San Diego Chargers (7-7)

Raiders come in off four straight losses while the Chargers come in off a win against the Broncos. While the Raiders have no hope for post season play, the Chargers hang onto a narrow chance. With both starting WRs out for the Raiders the team will find it hard to win even with QB Matt McGloin starting. Chargers have struggled when they lost their starting receivers and LB Dwight Freeney early in the season, but impressive wins against the Chiefs and Broncos give them hope to make a playoff push. Prediction: Chargers

Chicago Bears (8-6) vs Philadelphia Eagles (8-6)

The Bears come in off two straight wins while the Eagles come in off a loss. Both of these teams can lock up their division with a win Sunday night so both teams need the win. Both teams have played very well down the stretch. This game should be a great matchup. Prediction: Eagles

Atlanta Falcons (4-10) vs San Francisco 49ers (10-4)

Falcons come in off a win last week against the Redskins while the 49ers have won four straight. 49ers can clinch the playoffs with a win this game. Falcons were decimated early in the season by injuries and never recovered from the numerous losses. The 49ers biggest adversary is in their own division and should easily beat the badly beaten Falcons. Prediction: 49ers