NFL Week 16 Predictions

Srikar Kalapala 

Week 15 featured some marquee matchups with major playoff implications, and it ended up being one of the craziest weeks of all time. This week had the greatest comeback in regular season history, and also had crazy last-play finishes that shocked everyone. Even with all the 50-50 matchups last week, it was one of my best weeks for predictions, as I went 12-4. Let’s get into this week’s picks. 

Overall Record: 140-82-2

Last Week's Record: 12-4

New York Jets (7-7) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8)

Jaguars. The Jets playoff hopes plummeted after a last-minute loss to the Lions last week. Zach Wilson got the start after Mike White, and he didn’t play terribly, in fact, he threw over 300 yards and 2 touchdowns. They play the Jaguars this week, who are on the rise and looking for the division crown. Trevor Lawrence has looked the part of a #1 pick recently, and I think that continues here.

Baltimore Ravens (9-5) vs. Atlanta Falcons (5-9)

Ravens. Lamar Jackson might be back for this one, which would be a huge boost for the Ravens. Desmond Ridder and the Falcons still have a shot to win their division, but I don’t see them beating this Ravens team on the road.

Carolina Panthers (5-9) vs. Detroit Lions (7-7)

Lions. The Panthers lost to the Steelers last week in a game that they had to have. Now, they will have to win out and beat the Bucs to have a shot to make the playoffs. They face the Lions this week, who are one of the hottest teams in the league. Dan Campbell has his team playing hard right now, and I think the Lions will get yet another win.

Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) vs. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)

Chiefs. The Chiefs’ supposed get-right game was anything but last week against the Texans. They really struggled even with Patrick Mahomes doing other-worldly things in the 4th quarter. They got the win and that’s all that matters, but now they face a Seattle team that is looking to cling to their playoff hopes. This one could be a tight one, but I like the Chiefs to get a win at home in December.

Cleveland Browns (6-8) vs. New Orleans Saints (5-9)

Browns. Both teams cannot afford a loss here in terms of their playoff hunts, and neither team has been consistent. The Browns have not looked that great with Deshaun Watson back, which made me want to go with the Saints, but I’ll go with the home team in this one.

Tennessee Titans (7-7) vs. Houston Texans (1-12-1)

Titans. The Titans have been reeling recently; they are on a four-game losing streak. The Jaguars are now breathing down their throats in this final stretch, and the Titans will have to start winning. They have a good opportunity to do so against the one-win Texans this week, and they can’t miss this opportunity.

New England Patriots (7-7) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (10-4)

Bengals. There are no words to describe how bad of a loss that was for the Patriots. That was some kind of Madden loss with a lateral going the other way for a touchdown. That loss really hurt the Pats’ playoff chances too. It doesn’t get any easier against the hottest team in the league, and although the Pats’ defense is really good, I don’t think their offense will score that much. 

Minnesota Vikings (11-3) vs. New York Giants (8-5-1)

Vikings. The Vikings just pulled off the greatest regular season comeback in NFL history last week against the Colts, after coming back from a 33-0 deficit. It was an insane comeback that ended 39-36 in favor of the Vikes. The Giants essentially won a playoff-type game last week against the Commanders after a goal-line stand. The Giants now look to cement themselves into the playoffs, but I think the Vikings will hold them off this week from getting their 9th win.

Chicago Bears (3-11) vs. Buffalo Bills (11-3)

Bills. The Bears were pretty close to pulling off an upset against the Eagles last week, but it just wasn’t meant to be. The Bills defeated the Dolphins in a close one last week, and I think they will cruise to a win in this one.

San Francisco 49ers (10-4) vs. Washington Commanders (7-6-1)

49ers. Brock Purdy and the 49ers are looking pretty good after defeating the Seahawks and the Bucs in the last two weeks. They now face a hungry Commanders team looking for a playoff spot, but I think the Niners will get the best of them at home.

Dallas Cowboys (10-4) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (13-1)

Cowboys. The Eagles will probably not have Jalen Hurts for this game, which makes it that much harder for the Eagles to win this game. The Cowboys just lost to the Jaguars last week in an upset, but I think they will be hungry enough to give their rivals their second loss of the season.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)

Steelers. Rest in peace to Franco Harris, former Steelers legend and most famously known for the Immaculate Reception. This should be a pretty close game, but I like the Steelers to pay homage to a legend with a win.

Miami Dolphins (8-6) vs. Green Bay Packers (6-8)

Packers. Pair the fact that the Dolphins have looked like one of the best teams in the league this year with the fact that the Packers haven’t been that great in Miami in recent years, this looks to be a Miami win. But the Packers have to win this game for their playoff chances to stay alive, and I’m not betting against the Packers unless they end up losing one of these last couple of games. Give me the Packers in an upset on Christmas.

Los Angeles Rams (4-10) vs. Denver Broncos (4-10)

Rams. This is essentially a coin-flip pick for me. Both teams are not good this year, and both teams have suffered injuries. I am not sure if Russell Wilson will even play this game, which makes things more complicated. Denver has a really good defense, but I don’t know if their offense is capable of putting up more than 15 points. They might not need it against the Rams, but I’ll still pick the home team in this one.

Arizona Cardinals (4-10) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8)

Bucs. The Cardinals haven’t been playing well at all these last couple of weeks, and they just lost to a Brett Rypien-led Broncos team. Despite the Bucs’ struggles this year, I think they will be able to beat the Cardinals in hopes to solidify their division title hopes.

Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)

Chargers. The Chargers are looking to solidify a playoff spot in the crowded AFC, and this is one of those games they can’t lose. The Colts gave up the biggest lead in NFL history last week to the Vikings. Matt Ryan has now been part of both the team that has given up the largest playoff lead, as well as the regular season lead. The Colts just lost Jonathon Taylor for the season after putting him on IR, which will make this game that much harder for them.