NFL Week 16 Predictions

!Upset
*Big Game
**Game of the Week


Houston Texans (10-4) v.s. Indianapolis Colts (1-13) (HOU -6.5, O/U 41.5) 

Champ Bailey

     The Texans ran into an upstart Panthers team last week but I don't think it means there is trouble in Houston. They are still running the ball well and playing defense as good as anyone in the AFC. As long as T.J. Yates protects the ball and limits his turnovers to say one a game, the Texans will be fine tonight and they will be okay in the playoffs.
Houston 20-14
Spread: Indianapolis
O/U: Under


Denver Broncos (8-6) v.s. Buffalo Bills (5-9) (DEN -3, O/U 43.5)
     If the Broncos didn't cough up the ball twice in the second quarter against the Patriots, they would've been in that game until the end. The Broncos are running the ball very well and given the fact that the Bills can't stop the run as exemplified by Reggie Bush's 203 rushing yards last week, I'll take the Broncos with Tim Tebow completing less than five passes.
Denver 26-10
Spread: Denver
O/U: Under


Arizona Cardinals (7-7) v.s. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) (CIN -5, O/U 41.5)

Maurice Jones-Drew

    This is a must win for both teams. The Cardinals are trying to keep their slim playoff hopes alive while the Bengals need to win to possibly be the number 6 seed by the time this week is over. The Cardinals have been playing better than the Bengals of late but I think it will come down to the Bengals defense having the final say as they put a stop to John Skelton and the Cardinals.
Cincinnati 24-14
Spread: Cincinnati 
O/U: Under


Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10) v.s. Tennessee Titans (7-7) (TEN -8, O/U 40.5)
     The Titans had a devastating loss to the Colts last week. They will try to keep their playoff hopes alive but I don't see it happening. The Titans could not stop the run at all last week; Donald Brown ran for over 150 yards. So what will Maurice Jones-Drew do this week? Plus, the Jaguars have an underrated defense that has been pretty consistent for them over the season, but has not been good of late. Given over a week to prepare, the Jaguars defense steps up, Maurice Jones-Drew has a big day and Blaine Gabbert doesn't ruin it for the Jaguars as they upset the Titans.
Jacksonville 21-10!
Spread: Jacksonville 
O/U: Under


*Oakland Raiders (7-7) v.s. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) (KC -3, O/U 42)

Carson Palmer

     The Chiefs are coming off a monumental upset of the undefeated Packers. They are obviously a much better team with Kyle Orton at quarterback. When these two teams met earlier this year, it was Carson Palmer's debut and the Raiders were blown off the field 28-0. Well now the Raiders are desperate and the offense looked much better last week against a Detroit team with a similar defense to Kansas City. The Chiefs have had a few let down games after big wins this year including being humiliated by Miami 31-3 after a big Monday Night victory over San Diego. The Raiders move to 8-7 with a statement win at Arrowhead today.
Oakland 23-19!
Spread: Oakland
O/U: Over


Miami Dolphins (5-9) v.s. New England Patriots (11-3) (NE -10, O/U 50)
     I know that the Dolphins are a better team now then they were in Week one, but Tom Brady and the Patriots offense were at their best on that Monday night and it was clear the Dolphins could not keep up. I like Miami to hang around for a little while, but too much Brady, too much Welker, too much Gronk and too much Hernandez as the Patriots move to 12-3.

Ahmad Bradshaw

New England 35-17
Spread: New England 
O/U: Over


*New York Giants (7-7) v.s. New York Jets (8-6) (NYJ -3, O/U 47)
     In the Battle of New York, this game will come down to turnovers. Mark Sanchez and Jets are very good when they are playing clean football while the I believe the Giants are one of the best teams in the NFL when they protect the football. In this one today, I think the Giants will come out like they did against the Packers while the Jets, a team that hasn't played well in the biggest games this year, comes out a little bit flat as the Giants control this one throughout.
New York 28-14!
Spread: New York
O/U: Under


St. Louis Rams (2-12) v.s. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) (PIT -13, O/U 34.5)
     In a rematch of Super Bowl XIV, Charlie Batch starts at quarterback for the Steelers and I don't think that means anything. Batch knows the offense, he has filled in with ease before, having no Ben Roethlisberger will have no impact on this game. The Steelers win easily over an anemic Rams team.

London Fletcher

Pittsburgh 24-7
Spread: Pittsburgh
O/U: Under



Minnesota Vikings (2-12) v.s. Washington Redskins (5-9) (WSH -7, O/U 44)
     The Vikings are not quite as bad as their record indicates and the Redskins are playing much better than their 5-9 record indicates. It was the Redskins defense that came through for them last week and it will be the Redskins defense that comes through for them again today. Jared Allen keeps the Vikings in this game, but you have to take the Redskins at home because of their running game and their defense.
Washington 20-17
Spread: Minnesota 
O/U: Under


Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10) v.s. Carolina Panthers (5-9) (CAR -8, O/U 48)
     The Buccaneers had no answer for the Panthers when these two teams last met. The Buccaneers have probably been playing the worst football out of anyone in the NFL over the past few weeks and I don't see that changing today in Charlotte.

Cam Newton

Carolina 31-17
Spread: Carolina
O/U: Over


Cleveland Browns (4-10) v.s. Baltimore Ravens (10-4) (BAL -13, O/U 38)
     The Ravens still are desperate to win the AFC North and there is no way the Browns do anything to stop them today. The Ravens play with a chip on their shoulder because people are starting to question their defense. The Ravens dominate the Browns today.
Baltimore 37-3
Spread: Baltimore
O/U: Over


*San Diego Chargers (7-7) v.s. Detroit Lions (9-5) (DET -3, O/U 52)
     The Lions scraped out another W in Oakland last week and now they square off against the upstart
Chargers team. San Diego is getting everything done right now. They are running the ball extremely well with Ryan Matthews, they are playing outstanding defense led by safety Eric Weddle and Phillip Rivers is getting protection and the Chargers are dismantling opponents. The Lions will struggle all day against the Chargers who move to 8-7.

LeSean McCoy

San Diego 38-20!
Spread: San Diego
O/U: Over


*Philadelphia Eagles (6-8) v.s. Dallas Cowboys (8-6) (DAL -3, O/U 50.5) 
     The Cowboys had no answers for the Eagles when these teams last met. I would ask Rob Ryan how he plans to stop Michael Vick, LaSean McCoy and the rest of the Eagles offense. I expect this game to be a thriller which will come down to the end. The Cowboys still haven't learned to close out games in the end and they will falter again down the stretch as the Eagles win in a shoot-out.
Philadelphia 41-35!
Spread: Philadelphia 
O/U: Over


*San Francisco 49ers (11-3) v.s. Seattle Seahawks (7-7) (SF -2, O/U 37.5) 

Charles Woodson

     The 49ers got a nice Monday Night win over Pittsburgh, but I wasn't all too convinced. With a healthy Roethlisberger, the Steelers are very much in that game. Well, today, it will come down to Marshawn Lynch and whether or not the 49ers can stop him. The 49ers have not given up a rushing touchdown all season while Marshawn Lynch has been a touchdown machine over the Seahawks recent surge. Who's going to give in? The Seahawks have more to play for, I'll take the Seahawks.
Seattle 23-17!
Spread: Seattle
O/U: Over


Chicago Bears (7-7) v.s. Green Bay Packers (13-1) (GB -12, O/U 42.5)
     The Packers undefeated dream is over, but they still haven't quite wrapped up the one seed. We also saw last week how the absence of Greg Jenning had an impact on the Packers. I think the Bears defense keeps them around in this one, but I don't see the Bears generating enough offense to keep the Packers from clinching home field throughout.
Green Bay 20-10

Tony Gonzalez

Spread: Chicago
O/U: Under

**Atlanta Falcons (9-5) v.s. New Orleans Saints (11-3) (NO -7, O/U 53)
     This game earlier in the season came down to Mike Smith's questionable fourth down decision. At least for the Falcons that don't won't end up costing them their season as they should make the playoffs. The Falcons are one of the most underrated teams in the NFL while lately, the Saints have been beating up on some weaker teams which hasn't impressed me quite as much as everyone else has been impressed. I think the Falcons have the balance offensively to keep Drew Brees off the field which fuels the upset of the Saints in the Super Dome.
Atlanta 31-21!
Spread: Atlanta
O/U: Under


Last Week: 12-4
Season: 151-73
Last Week Against Spread: 12-4
Season: 127-97 
Last Week Over/Under: 9-7
Season: 73-75
Last Week Upsets: 3-0
Season: 24-26
Last Week Big Games: 4-1
Season: 49-26
Last Week Big Games Against Spread: 4-1
Season: 45-30
Last Week Game of the Week: 1-0
Season: 9-6
Last Week Game of the Week Against Spread: 1-0
Season: 9-6