NFL Week 16 - Picks, Sleepers, and Best Betting Odds
NFL Week 16
Week 16 of the NFL schedule features a four-day lineup this weekend, and seven of those games are between teams with records of .500 or better.
On Thursday, the 49ers, who have won five of six games, will look to continue their playoff dreams against the Titans. Christmas day offers two strong matchups as well, with the Browns facing the Packers at Lambeau Field, and the Colts facing the Cardinals on the road.
On Sunday we have matchups between AFC North rivals Baltimore and Cincinnati and AFC East rivals Buffalo and New England. The Chiefs will also host the Steelers, then the day will end with a battle of .500 teams between the Saints and Dolphins.
There are multiple playoff scenarios in motion right now, and all of these games will have bearing on the overall playoff picture.
Quick Jumps before this week's picks:
San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) at Tennessee Titans
Thursday, 8:20 p.m.
The Titans offense has been a disaster since their star running back Derrick Henry went down. Their offense has gotten progressively worse since Henry went out for the season in Week 8 and the past four weeks have been downhill. Since Week 11, the Titans have gone 1-3. San Francisco's rushing offense is creative, but the Titans could have enough stops to pull out a home victory in prime time. Although they are having injury challenges and some players are out, as long as their defense can hold it down they do have a strong chance especially since they are playing at home.
Pick: Titans 23, 49ers 20
Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers (-7.5)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
The Browns have their fingers crossed for Saturday, with high hopes to have most of their players back, but there is plenty of uncertainty at this stage. Baker Mayfield (COVID-19 list) could be back, however, and Myles Garrett is a problem for the edge for a Green Bay line that has been hampered by injuries. The Packers have given up 28 points or more in their last four games, but they're still one of the best teams against the spread in 2021. The main issue is whether the Browns can score enough to win because the Packers will light up the scoreboard, most probably close to 30 points and the Browns have to match that. The most points Cleveland has scored over the past month is 24 against the Ravens. Unless their offense takes it to the next level I doubt they can win.
Pick: Packers 29, Browns 24
Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals (-2)
Saturday, 8:15 p.m
After a humiliating defeat to the Lions, the Cardinals return home. Kyler Murray will be looked up to, to make some dazzling plays against the Colts' defense. The big question will be whether the Cardinals can slow down MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor? This will be interesting for the Cardinals because they just allowed Craig Reynolds to run for 112 yards and now have to deal with the prowess of Jonathan Taylor. The star running back averages 20.5 carries on the road, where the Colts are 4-2. That defense and running game travels in a thriller.
Pick: Colts 27, Cardinals 24
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m.
The Bengals beat the Ravens 41-17 in the first meeting, and a win would result in season sweeps of Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the same season. If this turns into a shootout, the Bengals' have a good chance going up against an exhausted Baltimore defense. On the other hand, the Ravens offense will either be led by an injured Jackson or a backup quarterback (Tyler Huntley) while going up against a Bengals defense that held them to just 17 points the last time around.
Although the Bengals have a track record of losing big games, they've actually won a couple of them this season, and I also believe that they will win this one..
The pick: Bengals 30-23 over Ravens
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-2)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Bills have had one of the best defenses this year: They've given up the least yards and the second-fewest points, so it won’t be surprising if they hold the Patriots under 20 points. The pendulum shift in this game will be whether the Bills offense can be able to move the ball on a Patriots defense that has given up the least points in the NFL this year. The Patriots are coming off a rough outing against Indianapolis whilst the Bills are back on track. This game will likely decide who wins the AFC East given the Patriots won the first game. Mac Jones has a 102.5 rating at home this season, and I’m sure he will avoid the big mistake against Buffalo.
Pick: Patriots 23, Bills 21
