Week 16 NFL Predix

By Jacob Sanders

Hello y’all. I am currently on vacation right now.I promise you will get a pre-picks spot on Week 17’s column and the playoffs. For now though, here are your picks!

Sanders went in 10-6 Week 14 and 12-4 in Week 15 putting him to 143-79-1 on the season. There was no Thursday game so he is 0-0 heading into Week 16!

HOU Texans vs TB Buccaneers

This would be the perfect game for the Buccaneers to win and prove they’re not a losing squad. Bruce Arians finger prints have started to make their mark all over this team and, specifically the offense. This offense still has problems (I.E. Jameis Winston’s knack for giving away the ball) but the elite production of Chris Godwin and Mike Evans has made this team a tough one to beat in recent weeks. That, and we can also give credit to Winston for elevating his play as well. As for the Texans, this is the team that I feel is least dangerous if they make the post-season. They are so hot and cold that it’s hard to imagine which team you’re gonna get. With a mediocre secondary, I think this team leans on the cold side and the Bucs offense tears it up at home.

Texans 20 Bucs 28

BUF Bills vs NE Patriots

There’s a few factors to consider when picking this game. The last time these teams met up was early in the season, but teams usually grow from the early season. This is true for Buffalo in the fact that it’s clear Josh Allen has more control and comfort in this Buffalo offense. Allen is still not perfect, but it’s not very often (if at all) that you can point to Josh Allen as being a reason the Bills lose. As is usually stated in this column, the defense is well-coached, and the mass exodus the Bills made two years ago makes so much sense now that we can see Sean McDermott’s vision come true. This team is tough and definitely the in the conversation for a dark-horse Super Bowl contender. The same can not be said for the Patriots who have not shown much (if any) growth on offense and the defense still remains elite. To me, the Bills have the mismatch advantage. The defense will be too tough for the Patriots to overcome. The real question is, can Josh Allen beat this Patriots defense? My guess, is yes.

Bills 21 Patriots 14

LA Rams vs SF 49ers

A tough loss for the 49ers to swallow means a possible rough outing for the Rams. To me, this game will fall squarely on which team wants it more. Both teams have talent and both teams have good coaching. However, the 49ers have more to play and talented defense have been tough for the Rams to beat at times (see Ravens, Cowboys games). That being said, it’s not impossible for the Rams to win this. If they can spread out their 3-4 receivers out on the field and create space/time for Gurley to move, it’s a W for the Rams. But, the more likely scenario is Bosa and Co. shut everything down in the trenches making a miserable day for Sean McVay and Co.

Rams 17 49ers 31

NY Giants vs WAS Redskins

This game would be way better if either team was good. The thought of Daniel Jones vs Dwayne Haskins should be exciting, instead, it’s a matchup I want to avoid, at least for this season. With both Jones and Haskins experiencing bumps and hiccups during their rookie season, it’s hard to grasp just good they can possibly be. The advantage here though, is that the Giants have Saquon to help out their offense. Yeah, Haskins has Peterson, but it’s not much of a comparison. Peterson is a future HoFer, but he isn’t running like Saquon is these days.

Giants 20 Redskins 14

NO Saints vs TEN Titans

Two weeks ago, I have this game penned as a Titans W. Not because I believe the Saints are worse than the Titans, but because I believed in the Music City Miracle and ressurection of Tannehill’s career. While last week’s loss wasn’t entirely Tannehill’s fault, the Texans made sure the Titans come crashing down to earth. Meanwhile, the Saints lit up the Colts on MNF in another historic night for Drew Brees in what has been a historic career. So you merely have to ask yourself. Are the Titans going to beat a Saints team that is lighting up every defense in their way? Probably not.

Saints 35 Titans 21

PIT Steelers vs NY Jets

Odd game to pick, but one that I believe is easily favored for the Steelers here. Hodges looked befuddled by the Bills defense last week, but the Jets defense is no comparison to the Bills. When it’s all said and done, the better defense wins this game, and the Steelers have the better defense. I’ve wrote that same sentence before and got burned last time for it. I have confidence it doesn’t burn me this time. Sam Darnold hasn’t progressed like I thought he would and Bell hasn’t been all-world like he was supposed to be. I anticipate more of the same from the Jets.

Steelers 23 Jets 13

CIN Bengals vs MIA Dolphins

Oh boy. What a hot game. Game of the year coming right here. In all seriousness though, this game could be close and fun simply because of where both of these teams are at. In the Dolphins case though, there seems to be a type of energy that the Bengals haven’t matched all season. It’s very clear the Dolphins locker room believe in what Flores has had to say and thus why the Dolphins play hard every week. I think that matters when you consider two bottom teams like this. The Bengals all but wrap up the No. 1 pick, right here.

Bengals 19 Dolphins 21

CAR Panthers vs IND Colts

There’s not much to get excited for in this game in terms of post-season hopes, but there are some things to observe for both of these teams in the last two weeks. The first would be the regression of both Kyle Allen and Jacoby Brissett. Unfortunately for Allen, his regression led to a benching. The second would be the defense on both sides as well. Neither team looks like the worldbeaters they were in the first 5 weeks of the season and here they rest both with losing records. The biggest thing to ask yourself is which offense do you think will move the ball more. The Colts or the Panthers? I trust the Colts with Jacoby Brissett more than I do the Panthers with rookie QB Will Grier.

Panthers 14 Colts 24

BAL Ravens vs CLE Browns

I get the feeling this game will be UGLY. The Browns may pack it up before the first half is over. I don’t say this in bias as a Ravens fan. As a Ravens fan, I still don’t think, as of right now, they make the Super Bowl (hello, Kansas City). However, I think anybody would be amiss if they didn’t recognize that this Cleveland team has no heart, no drive, and no motivation to win football games like they did earlier this season. Meanwhile, the Ravens have it all in front of them: Revenge, a No. 1 seed, and the ability to stamp out any early season doubts. Yeah, I expect a sports murder in Cleveland this week. My thoughts and prayers are with Baker and Co.

Ravens 48 Browns 17

JAX Jaguars vs ATL Falcons

Well. This is a game to pick. And not one I have much analysis for either. If I’m being frank, I haven’t watched any Jaguars tape in a couple weeks now. Call it loss of interest, call it bias against a team I believe needs a complete overhaul. Call it whatever you want. But the Jaguars are just not interesting enough to watch right now. Sure, Minschew Mania is fun, but not enough to want to watch them. However, I have given the Falcons a look, and man are they frustrating to watch. A team that has this much talent should be more efficient than they are. They beat the 49ers and Saints, good lord. Anyway, if you want my opinion, Matt Ryan and Co. light up a Jaguars defense that hasn’t found their footing all season.

Jaguars 17 Falcons 28

OAK Raiders vs LA Chargers

The Chargers get to play their final “home” game with no real home. The Raiders will be looking to redeem themselves and win their final “home-state” game. When you look at this game, there’s nothing but sadness to feel for both orgs. What looked promising in preseason, has turned into non-winning seasons once again for both orgs. However, the stars look brighter in the sense that both will have new homes for next year. Oh. Wait. The game analysis. Right. Well, the Chargers win it here. Their ceiling is just higher than the Raiders. I mean, really. One team was able to blow out the Jaguars. The other lost in miserable fashion. Was that enough, editor? Can I leave this paragraph now?

Raiders 17 Chargers 20

DET Lions vs DEN Broncos

Holy moly. Another great game. Okay, but really, I’d watch this game. I like Drew Lock and I want to see more of what he’s got. If he can perform well in these final 2 games, Elway might be able to breathe and finally build an offense around his quarterback. Meanwhile, the Lions have jobs to play for. Knowing that Patricia will be back means you gotta play your tail off if you want to keep a roster spot. If you ask me though, the Orange Crush D takes care of business here.

Lions 16 Broncos 24

ARI Cardinals vs SEA Seahawks

Historically in this decade, the Cardinals win their games in Seattle, and the Seahawks win their games in Arizona. While I’d love for that to continue, the Seahawks are just a better overall team. Kyler Murray and Co. are definitely gonna give a bottom 10 Seattle defense a run for their money, but MVP candidate Russell Wilson just may blow this Cardinals secondary out of the water. Yeah, this game really comes down to which QB has a better day. I’ll take the MVP candidate.

Cardinals 20 Seahawks 31

DAL Cowboys vs PHI Eagles

This game is not hard to pick if you ask me. The Cowboys have more talent and a higher ceiling than the Eagles. The Eagles are also hurt everywhere on their roster. The matter of the fact is, the Eagles are not healthy enough to compete in a playoff environment like this one. The Cowboys are also coming off a win where they realized their full potential as a team. If they can keep that up, they can be dangerous heading into the post-season. No, not Super Bowl contenders, but yes, dangerous.

Cowboys 28 Eagles 17

KC Chiefs vs CHI Bears

What looked like a promising run for the Bears ended in defeat last week as the Bears playoff hopes were crushed in Lambeau Field. The Bears have an opportunity to play spoiler against the Chiefs here and possibly even end their season with a winning record. However, the Chiefs are my current pick to make the Super Bowl. Their defense is tightening up. Patrick Mahomes is getting better and better every game since his injury. This is just a game that the Chiefs do not lose even if it is against a tough defense in a harsh environment.

Chiefs 28 Bears 19

GB Packers vs MIN Vikings

I had this penned as a Vikings win a couple weeks ago and I am keeping that pick this way. The last several weeks, the Vikings have shown to be playoff ready even if they haven’t been winning every time. The Packers, on the other hand, have been winning but merely winning because they are a better team, not necessarily because they look seasoned and ready to go for the post-season. The lack of offensive consistency is quite a concern and if the Packers don’t get some consistency going, it may be a one and out deal this year for rookie head coach Matt Lafleur. The Vikings are a great test for Green Bay, but one I don’t think they will pass. Also, Kirk Cousins bout to light it up. YOU LIKE THAT?!?! Round 2. (For real this time, cause it didn’t happen last time….ugh. I suck at picking Vikings games).

Packers 24 Vikings 27