Week 16 NFL Predix

 By Jacob Sanders

The last two weeks of regular season football are upon us and the playoff race is tightening as teams are playing must win games if they want to get into the dance. Some teams are already experiencing heartbreak as we have had 4 games already. However, outside of the Vikings and Raiders, nobody who lost is dead in the water yet. With that being said, let’s get to the picks!

Sanders went 12-4 last week putting him to 147-81-1 on the season. He is 2-2 to start Week 16 as he picked the Vikings (loss), Bucs (win), Cardinals (loss), and Dolphins (win) to win their games.

IND Colts vs PIT Steelers

The Steelers offense has been putrid for the last few weeks now causing an 0-3 skid after a grand 11-0 start. While most have called the Steelers fake going undefeated (partially due to the hatred for PIT, let’s be honest), this Steelers team still has pieces to win games and it starts with the defense. Unfortunately for them, the defense is not as strong as it used to be with Bud Dupree out for the season. They play a Colts team which has come on strong in the last few weeks. The Colts defense is to be feared, and Philip Rivers is quietly having himself solid season. Unless Pittsburgh picks it up on offense, looks like a 4 game losing streak coming on.

Colts 28 Steelers 21

ATL Falcons vs KC Chiefs

While there’s potential for this game to be explosive, I’m thinking that this game won’t be as close as the “on-paper” matchup says it should be. Not only does KC look unbeatable, they look like the AFC’s Super Bowl representatives. They’ve won in every single way possible this season and have lost only one game that appears more and more like it was a fluke than an actual weakness on them. Many could point to the “one score” wins but the truth is KC is just that good. My philosophy is you gotta score 35 points or more if you wanna beat KC. Don’t see Atlanta doing that.

Falcons 24 Chiefs 38

CHI Bears vs JAX Jaguars

We are living in a reality where playoff hopes lie hanging in the balance for the Bears with Mitch Trubisky tasked to take them to the promised land. Yes, you read that right. After all the slander, Trubisky has had himself a surprisingly okay season when he has had his chance to play. The Bears get arguably the worst team in the NFL on their Sunday slate. Looks like an easy dub on way to a Week 17 NFC North showdown in the frozen tundra. We wouldn’t want it any other way for a Bears-Packers matchup. Sorry Jaguars fans. Nothing much to say about Jacksonville as a team. They’re terrible and Mike Glennon is starting. Not even any Minschew mania to hype up.

Bears 29 Jaguars 13

CIN Bengals vs HOU Texans

I perfectly understand that the Bengals upset the Steelers last week and that the Texans have a bottom 3 defense in the League. That being said, I’m not going to let an upset convince me that a Burrow-less Bengals team is going to step up to the plate two games in a row. Deshaun Watson and the Texans should pull off the W here.

Bengals 17 Texans 20

NY Giants vs BAL Ravens

The Giants have the unfortunate timing of playing one of the hottest AFC teams when they are banged up. The Ravens on the other hand, get the benefit of playing a banged up NFC East team while playing their hottest ball all season. Barring an unforeseen circumstance where Lamar Jackson gets hurt, the Ravens should be back to their 2019 ways of putting up 30+ points on bad teams. Danie Jones is also set to play against a defense that is elite at forcing turnovers. None of this benefits New York.

Giants 16 Ravens 34

CLE Browns vs NY Jets

So. The Jets caught a W against the Rams. That’s nice and I no longer am allowed to say they will lose a game because they are coached by Adam Gase. However, that doesn’t change the fact this Jets team is….shall we say….bad? And the next team on their slate is a Browns team that’s looking to lock up a playoff seed. To be a playoff team, you gotta beat the teams you are favored against. The Browns have been doing that almost all season and i don’t see that stopping. Browns W right here.

Browns 27 Jets 17

CAR Panthers vs Washington

If I were the media, I would drop the revenge game narrative. If you ask me, Rivera is not worried about beating his former team but is far more concerned with clinching the NFC East which they can do this week with a win and the Giants losing to Baltimore (which is likely). Washington is a team fighting for their football lives while the Panthers are trying to figure out what works and what won’t heading into 2021. I’ll take the desperate team over the team still trying to figure things out.

Panthers 17 Washington 24

DEN Broncos vs LA Chargers

This is an AFC West clash that doesn’t necessarily matter anymore. However, I find this game rather intriguing. I think this game will be fun. The last time, it was a fun matchup where Drew Lock lead a furious rally back in the 4th quarter to catch a win for the Broncos. This time around, I think Justin Herbert and company will come ready for a revenge type of game. That, and the Broncos have a long way to go before they are consistently competing. They need to get healthy.

Broncos 20 Chargers 27

PHE Eagles vs DAL Cowboys

If you haven’t taken the hint already, I do not like this Dallas Cowboys team this year and it starts with their defense. The first move that needs to be made is for Mike Nolan to be out of there next season. Until they get a better DC, I can’t place faith in a Cowboys team to handle dynamic QBs whom they face this week. I would have given this one to the Cowboys were Carson Wentz playing. However, Jalen Hurts provides another dimension to the Eagles offense that the Boys may not be prepared for.

Eagles 28 Cowboys 23

LA Rams vs SEA Seahawks

Well then. The Rams certainly got a wake up call last week losing to the winless Jets. You think they had the best practice they’ve ever had all season? Yeah, I think so too. However, they play against a Seattle team that has improved defensively down the stretch the last few weeks. And while the Seahawks certainly are a threat, I don’t view them the same way I did weeks ago. Despite the loss to the Jets, I think the Rams got a fire lit under them and that’s going to be enough to put them over the edge in a rather even matchup that I believe goes into OT.

Rams 27 Seahawks 24 (Final OT)

TEN Titans vs GB Packers

This is the hardest matchup for me personally to try and predict. It’s the No. 1 offense in the league vs MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers. Who scores more? Well, let’s start off with the fact that weather is supposed to be awful in Green Bay which poses well for Tennessee. Run run run with King Henry to a win. That’s how they win this game in the frozen tundra. However, I just can’t help but think not only does Aaron Jones have a big day, but Aaron Rodgers also takes advantage of a mediocre Titans secondary. I give the edge to Green Bay, although, I’m not highly confident in this pick either. If you ask me, it’s a 50/50 coin toss, and you gotta decide on which offense you think has the bigger day.

Titans 27 Packers 30

BUF Bills vs NE Patriots

Another traditional MNF game where we get to watch a bad matchup. Fun stuff. Anyhoo, let’s talk about the teams. The Patriots have officially been eliminated from the playoffs and are looking forward to 2021. However, there are still players like Cam Newton who are playing for their jobs. A Bill Bellichick isn’t going to just come out flat. However, the Bills also aren’t going to just let a divisional opponent who is weaker than them come in and beat them. The Bills haven’t been division winners in 25 years. They’re division winners now, and I think the team knows that it’s not enough. Keep working. Keep going. Don’t stop. That message is something along the lines of what Sean McDermott is saying right as I’m typing this.

Bills 31 Patriots 17

Week 15 NFL Predix

 By Jacob Sanders

I would like to apologize for not posting the last two weeks. The weekends were filled with finals preparation, grading for my students, and getting my quarantined students caught up and prepared for finals. I also took a mini staycation last weekend. Either way, I’m back baby and the playoff race is heating up. The NFC and AFC feel decided with seeding left to go. However, there’s certainly some surprises that could happen. Let’s unpack it all!

Sanders is currently 135-77-1 and is 2-1 heading into Week 15 after picking the Raiders (loss), Bills (win), Packers (win) to win their games.

SF 49ers vs DAL Cowboys

It looks like Andy Dalton gets better each week. That being said, both Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh have been getting more of their team and 3rd string roster than probably any other coach duo in the league could. Knowing that, I think Mike McCarthy and Mike Nolan will be outmatched here through gameplan, scheme, and mid-game adjustments.

49ers 27 Cowboys 21

SEA Seahawks vs Washington

You see, I originally thought that Washington was going to pull off the upset here. However, now that I know Gibson may not be playing AND Haskins is starting at QB? Forget about it. Haskins is a terrible QB and is not a starter in this league. He may be facing one of the worst defenses in the league, but that won’t matter if he can’t match Russell Wilson this weekend.

Hawks 29 Washington 17

CHI Bears vs MIN Vikings

It’s sort of a running joke at this point that I can’t pick Vikings games. However, I got the last Vikings game correct. Which means nothing for this game, but It’s untrue I can’t pick Vikings games. I just struggle with reading this team every year. That being said, I know exactly what this Bears team is. A great team with an elite defense when the offense can just simply MOVE the ball. Not even score a ton. Just move the ball. But when the offense is anemic and Trubisky is playing horribly, the elite defense doesn’t matter and this team goes from great to fake. Seeing that it’s not possible to predict a good or bad Trubisky day, I’m going to point to wards the team with the better head coach and quarterback. Both of those are in Minnesota. Hopefully Cousins doesn’t throw 3 picks. He’s had some rough games against better defenses, but I believe here.

Bears 14  Vikings 20

NE Patriots vs MIA Dolphins

Normally, I believe that I would try and make a case for the Patriots and there certainly is one here. However, the Dolphins are so well coached and even if their gameplan falls apart, they make great half-time adjustments. Brain Flores is the real deal and I truly believe he’s gonna lead this team to a victory whether the on-field execution struggles or not. We’ve reached an era where Bill Bellichick is still the best coach of all time, but his division has competition in the head-coaching department.

Patriots 16 Dolphins 23

JAX Jaguars vs BAL Ravens

There is legitimately a case to be made that the Jaguars are the worst team in the NFL. However, Gardner Minschew is coming back to start against a Ravens team that has lost 70% of it’s secondary to the injury/inactive list. There’s a big chance for an upset here where Minschew goes crazy and DJ Chark has a 100+ yard day. However, the Jaguars have a terrible running defense and they’re playing against Baltimore? Seems like a classic recipe for the Ravens to score 30+ points.

Jaguars 24 Ravens 38

TB Buccaneers vs ATL Falcons

There’s a hot chance that the Falcons can pull off an upset here but I think that’s trying too hard to predict an upset. The matter of the fact is, is that the Buccaneers are a team that lack a solid identity, but hold way too much talent to lose games. Seems like that’s the recipe that wins another game for the Bucs here. I anticipate the Falcons to keep this one competitive though.

Bucs 31 Flacons 27

DET Lions vs TEN Titans

Not only has Derrick Henry but running rampant on the football field every Sunday, but he gets to play December football against one of the worst defenses against the run. The man is about to feast and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Titans throw less than 15 times. An important note for the Lions is that Matt Staff will be playing with torn rib cartilage and a right thumb injury. Doesn’t sound like a good day for the Lions.

Lions 13 Titans 23

HOU Texans vs IND Colts

It’s completely irrational of me to pick the Texans here and I want to very badly. However, the Colts found a spark on offense last week. A spark which I anticipate to continue against one of the worst defenses in the League. It’s true that Watson could go wild and win this game all on his own. However, this is a team game and that would require his receivers to get separation with they haven’t been doing well at all season. And it’s against a top Colts defense? Forget the upset….it ain’t happening as much as I want it to.

Texans 17 Colts 28

PHE Eagles vs AZ Cardinals

Look. The Eagles beat the Saints and there’s a lot to be said about the efforts they made, the juice that Jalen Hurts gave to the offense, and the inspiration the entire team had. However, I don’t anticipate the Eagles to pull of a repeat performance. If you have eyes, you’ll see that despite the cover of the Cardinals book saying they should be a pass first team, they are a running team with a solid defense. This is perfect December football and while the game will be in Arizona and not winter weather, the point remains the same. At this point in the season, the teams with better running games and defense typically win the games. That favors Arizona.

Eagles 23 Cardinals 31

NY Jets vs LA Rams

Same head coach. Same story. Different week. The Jets lose because they are coached Adam Gase. No other analysis here necessary. I’ve been writing these same sentences for Jets games since Week 5. Has anything changed? Nope. They are still winless. Again, a Jets team coached by Adam Gase isn’t winning a game.

Jets 13 Rams 30

KC Chiefs vs NO Saints

For a game that’s supposed to be between two gods of football, this matchup feels more like a god vs titan matchup. And if you know your Greek mythology, the titans are considered superior to the gods, at least in their basic forms although the gods did overtake the titans. Back to football, I think the Chiefs are the titan and the Saints are the god in this matchup. Both are formidable but one team is clearly better than the other. It seems that unless the Chiefs are playing an AFC West rival, they tend to annihilate everyone in their way. The Dolphins had arguably the best possible game you could have against the Chiefs and still lost. At this point, I don’t think I’m picking the Chiefs to lose till otherwise. That, and you think this Saints team without Michael Thomas is gonna keep up with KC? Probably not.

Chiefs 35 Saints 27

CLE Browns vs NY Giants

The Browns played a great game offensively and still came up short 5 points against Baltimore in a thrilling 47-42 outlet. Needless to say, the Browns proved they can hang with the big dogs and are playoff ready. That being said, they need to make the playoffs first. They play the Giants this week on Sunday Night Football, a game that probably doesn’t deserve the time slot, but gives the Browns a chance to prove themselves again against a weaker team. I don’t have much to say on the Giants here. They’re a well coached team that’s missing quite a few pieces across the roster. They’ll be a team to keep an eye on over the offseason. I’d at least like to see Daniel Jones play better this week than he did last week against AZ.

Browns 27 Giants 16

PIT Steelers vs CIN Bengals

It’s kinda sad but the Bengals have dropped into Jets territory for me. As long as Joe Burrow isn’t playing for the Bengals, they are just as bad as they were last year. And last year, they were worst team in the NFL. Steelers defense mauls the Bengals offense and they pick up the win here getting just one more win closer to clinching the AFC North for the first time in 3 seasons.

Steelers 27 Bengals 17