NFL Picks & Pans: Week 16

The only reason I saved myself from an even worse week of picking winners was that for the first time all season I actually picked the Baltimore Ravens to lose, which they did,to the Denver Broncos. I had Denver winning 31-23, which wasn't far off from the actual final score of 34-17. You'll see my prediction tomorrow on Sunday's game when they host the New York Giants in a game critical to both team's playoff chances.

In the meantime, here are my picks & pans for the rest of the week 16 schedule and remember, there is no Thursday or Monday Night Football Games, but the weekend starts with the first Saturday Night Football game of the season.

Falcons over Lions (Saturday Night Football): I'll admit that I was planning to go with Detroit in this one,but they have nothing to play for other than jobs for next year, while Atlanta still needs to win to lock up hone field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Steelers over Bengals: Pittsburgh looks to sweep the season series and it's tough to bet against them at Heinz Field, although Pittsburgh has lost two in a row and four of their last five and the Bengals have gone 4-1 in that same stretch.

Patriots over Jaguars: Really? That was a tough one to decide on. Enough said.

Redskins over Eagles: The NFC East is going to be a dogfight down to the final game of the season and Washington leads it and should continue to do so over a Philadelphia team in complete shambles.

Jets over Chargers: The perfect game for New York third-string (?) QB Greg McElroy to win in his first start against a San Diego team that has completed it's annual underachievement season. "Sanchize?" Yeah, right!

Panthers over Raiders: Oakland always seems to have problems coming all the way to the east coast, which should mean that Carolina will beat an AFC West team for the second week in a row.

Saints over Cowboys: My only "Upset Special Pick of the Week," as while Dallas is at home and desperately needs this win, then why not expect them to blow a big game as they have so often in the past and with New Orleans offense having nothing to lose by opening it up even more, this is a recipe for disaster in the Big "D."

Packers over Titans: Green Bay has rebounded from their early-season woes and are in stride for a Super Bowl run and poor Tennessee has to come to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field (I never get tired of writing or saying that!) to be their sacrificial lambs.

Texans over Vikings: Minnesota's Adrian Peterson should be a huge test for the Houston run defense, but he alone will not stop the Texans from claiming the #1 seed in the AFC.

Colts over Chiefs: I was actually thinking of going with Kansas City in the upset, as Indianapolis is not that good of a road team, but I just can't seem to get my fingers to type "Chiefs over Colts" for some reason.

Dolphins over Bills: Miami might not put a 50-spot on Buffalo like the Bills allowed last week. However, they will be able to outscore them and might be able to say they finished second behind the Patriots in the AFC East.

Buccaneers over Rams: Tampa Bay seemed to be headed towards a possible playoff berth a few weeks ago but since has lost four in a row, but I'm still picking them over a St. Louis team that hasn't looked good on the road.

Broncos over Browns: Denver continues its winning streak after smashing the Ravens in Baltimore and now at Mile High Stadium, should have no problem with Cleveland for obvious reasons.

Bears over Cardinals: How in the word did Arizona destroy Detroit like they did last week, but however they did it, I'm betting they can't do it two weeks in a row and therefore think Chicago knows they need this win to remain in the playoff discussion.

Seahawks over 49ers (Sunday Night Football): This is just too big of a game for Seattle's "12th Man" not to be a force in helping them beat their NFC West rivals from San Francisco, who while they impressed with a huge win in New England last week, will have a tougher time against this Seahawks defense than the porous Patriots' one.

Last Week: 9-7

Season Record: 141-83-1

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