Week 16 Game Picks

Saturday, 21 DEC 2019 Games

Texans @ Buccaneers 1 PM ET

The Texans have been consistent. The Bucs… not so much. The quarterback position is a commodity in this league & quite frankly it’s safe to say that the Bucs have not exactly nailed it! On the contrary the Texans have found themselves a franchise stud. The same signal-caller who has notched a 102.0 career passer rating (3rd-highest in NFL history, min. 1,000 att).

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Jamies Winston is as inconsistent as it gets at the quarterback position. Without both Mike Evans & Chris Godwin, the Bucs aerial attack is going to be grounded for the most part. Expect the Texans to notch their second straight road W & remain at the #4 seed in the AFC.

Score: 34-23, Texans Win.

Bills @ Patriots 4:30 PM ET

I’m not going to sugarcoat this… the Patriots are simply not good. Sure, Tom Brady has a 11-1 record (91.67% win rate) against top-3 scoring defenses in Week 14 or later (based on rank entering week). However, the Bills got a little something going for them. All 3 Patriot’ losses this season have come against QBs under the age of 25. Josh Allen is 23 years old. With the Patriots offense failing to establish not only a two-dimensional attack, but a successful one-dimensional, I simply don’t see them winning against a Bills defense that has allowed a mere 14.3 PPG since Week 9 (fewest in NFL).

Score: 23-21, Bills Win.

Rams @ 49ers 8:15 PM ET

Okay calm down! Yes the 49ers lost. Get over it. This week they play host to their division rivals from down south. Guess what? It’s a season sweep. Sure, the 49ers are coming off a loss that does not bode well for them going into this week’s matchup, however, the Rams are coming off an ugly loss! Well last week is last week. Here’s a look ahead at what this week has to offer out west.

Garoppolo vs. Goff

Both signal callers match up well & they have their pass catching tight ends to thank for that. 49ers’ George Kittle does not need an introduction, however, Rams’ Tyler Higbee has 100+ receiving yards in 3 straight games (longest active streak in NFL). Expect that streak to come to an end against a 49ers secondary that has allowed a mere 154.4 pass YPG this season (fewest in NFL). Sorry LA… looks like Super Bowl 54 will have a new team representing the NFC.

Score: 29-21, 49ers Win.

Sunday, 22 DEC 2019 1 PM ET GAMES

Panthers @ Colts

An NFC & AFC clash in Indy features two teams that rank #3 in their divisions. With both teams likely out of playoff contention I’m going to go with the team that hasn’t wasted their running backs talent this season… that team is the Colts. Although the Colts have lost 4 straight, the Panthers have lost 6 straight! To make matters worse, the Panthers are 3-13 (.188 win pct) in November and December over the last 2 seasons. Expect the Colts to snap their 4 game losing streak as the Panthers drop their 7th straight.

Score: 27-23, Colts Win.

Steelers @ Jets

I love it. I love revenge games. Le’veon Bell was one of the more intriguing free agents to watch for this past offseason. Money=Happiness? Well, according to Bell, in order to keep him happy, you have to pay him. Perhaps a deal pays the disgruntled running back $15.5M annually… The Steelers learned that the hard way with Bell, however, the Jets have not gotten any better! This week the running back gets a shot at revenge… or the Steelers get revenge against their former teammate. Steelers stay alive in the AFC playoff race as the Jets well… they’re the Jets.

Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Score: 24-16, Steelers Win.

GAME 🔒 1 PM ET

Saints @ Titans

The Saints are playing lights out & the Titans have found their fair share of success under Ryan Tannehill off late. The key matchup to watch in this one is Derrick Henry against a Saints DEF. that has not allowed a 100 yard rusher in 36 consecutive games. Only thing I’m going bold with this week is that Henry will snap that streak! Unfortunately, I do not believe a two-dimensional Titan offense can close out the home W against the Saints. Especially with Michael Thomas & Drew Brees against a Titan secondary allowing 297.2 Pass YPG since Week 10 (2nd-most in NFL). Saints got this one wrapped up!

Score: 34-23, Saints Win.

Bengals @ Dolphins

Let the tank continue! It’s the snooze fest of the week & the Bengals are on track for the #1 pick. Expect them to stay on track for the #1 & not win this matchup. Fins’ win at home.

Score: 28-24, Dolphins Win.

Ravens @ Browns

The Ravens are the best team in football. The Browns are the biggest letdown in football. The only thing intriguing about this AFC North matchup is the fact that the last time the Ravens lost a game, it was in fact against the Browns. Something going for Browns is their 4 game home win streak. Something going for the Ravens is their 10 game win streak… & they are the #1 seed. Ya, it’s a win for the Ravens FLOCK. The road to Super Bowl 54 goes through Baltimore!

Score: 34-20, Ravens Win.

Giants @ Redskins

Eli Manning came back. Lost a game. Won a game. Daniel Jones is back & he’s going to lose this one. Honestly this is less of an analytic game pick & simply more of a gut feeling. There is no reason for the Giants to win games anymore let alone a divisional rival. Besides Pat Shurmur has lost 11+ games in every full season as an NFL head coach. Shurmur has also never coached a team that did not finish last in the division… Skins’ win!

Score: 24-20, Redskins Win.

Jaguars @ Falcons

Both the Jags & Falcons are coming off road W’s in the Bay. This week they clash in ATL in what I expect to be a Falcons win. Matt Ryan has not looked great at home this season however, I’ll lay my bets on the home team in this one.

Score: 24-13, Falcons Win.

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