Week 16 Picks

Philadelphia and Washington face off

with the NFC East up for grabs

(via Washington Post)

Washington (+3) @ Philadelphia - A toss up game between division rivals in a game that could ultimately decide the division championship.  Washington has won its last two meetings against the Eagles and even in their loss against Philadelphia last season, Washington managed to put up 35 points at Lincoln Financial.

Sam Bradford is capable of throwing deep bombs against Washington's secondary.  Mychal Kendricks of the Eagles are talking trash and giving Washington bulletin board material- "If I know myself and I know my teammates, the Redskins got something coming to them.  For real. That's real shit."

Of course, DeSean Jackson likely could get revenge against his former team especially since the Eagles have injuries in the secondary


NY Giants (+6) @ Minnesota - Even though the Giants are losing Odell Beckham for one game due to a suspension, they are still playing for their playoff lives.  Manning has other viable targets including Randle and Vereen to make this close.  Of course, the Giants need to step it up defensively or they could be looking at another disappointing season.

Chicago @ Tampa Bay (-3) - Chicago has blown a lot of games as of late to lesser opponents and Lovie Smith looks to get revenge against his former team.

Carolina (-6.5) @ Atlanta - Atlanta is coming off a win but the Panthers have easily took care of business earlier in the season with 38-0 drumming.  Carolina had a bit of letdown against the Giants but are still playing for homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

Dallas @ Buffalo (-6) - Buffalo will be missing Lesean McCoy with an injury but Dallas could be without Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley.  The Dallas Cowboys will go with yet another quarterback in Kellen Moore.

Jacksonville @ New Orleans (-3) - New Orleans blew another home game last week to the Lions but go against the Jaguars who are battling for a division title, have still struggled against lesser opponents including the Titans and Falcons

San Francisco @ Detroit (-10) - Detroit when playing up to its potential is cable of putting the clamps down on defense against high octane teams like the Packers and Saints.  The 49ers have scored 14 points or less in six of their past seven games.  

Cleveland @ Kansas City (-11) - Cleveland did struggle on the road against the Seattle.  These problems could continue against the Kansas City who look to solidify their playoff case.

Indianapolis @ Miami (-2.5) - Perhaps Matt Hasselbeck has reverted back to the mean.  In a battle of two struggling teams, the Dolphins may have the edge from the homefield advantage as they look to recover from a bad loss to San Diego.

New England  @ NY Jets (+3) - This could be a defensive battle especially if the Patriots could be without Brandon LaFell.   The Jets could devise an effective strategy to slow down Gronkowski and they have enough offensive weapons in Marshall, Decker, and Ivory to pull off the upset.

Houston (-3.5) @ Tennessee - In this battle of backup quarterbacks, Houston's defense could be the difference.  Look for the Texans to establish the run early and often with Alfred Blue.

Green Bay @ Arizona (-4.5) - While Arizona suffered notable injuries to their secondary, they could still throw out an effective game plan to slow down Aaron Rodgers.  Arizona may be the deepest teams in terms of receivers and running back David Johnson showed shades of Marshawn Lynch last week against the Eagles.

St. Louis @ Seattle (-12.5) - Seattle will look to take revenge against the Rams who pulled out a close win against Seattle earlier in the season.  Seattle was without Kam Chancellor and should put the clamps down on St. Louis's offense.

Cincinnati @ Denver (-3.5) - In the battle of backup quarterbacks, Brock Osweiler is slightly better. The Broncos managed to play the Steelers to one score where as the Bengals lost by double digits to Pittsburgh.