Jockeying for the playoffs continue. GOW? No doubt it’s the Bills-Jets.
Last week I hit three separate three-team parlays. I mention this not to brag (well maybe a little), but it’s more to give you comfort in taking my picks. Not that I endorse gambling…!
Only two weeks remain in what has been another crazy, surprising football season–filled with incredible plays, record-breaking moments, and break out players. Some teams are out of playoff contention, and others are fighting for postseason positioning.
The NFC is stacked, and while we know the six teams that will make it from the conference, every seed except the 4th is up for grabs. The AFC is not as strong and deep as the NFC, but they have what many believe is the best team in the NFL–the Baltimore Ravens and front-runner for the MVP, Lamar Jackson. The Ravens seem unstoppable and look to wrap up home-field advantage this week against the befuddled Browns.
Let’s see how they match up along with the rest of the week 16 games.
Ravens vs. Browns: The Ravens are ready to wrap up the home-field advantage, and there’s nothing the Browns can do about it. Cleveland lucked out earlier this year and beat Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens remember that and will get their revenge and the top seed on Sunday. Look for Lamar to add on to his rushing record and also look for Lamar to throw the ball to Hollywood Brown downtown. Ravens 30 – Browns 17
Bills vs. Patriots: This is Buffalo’s opportunity to show they can hang with the Big Boys. The Bills pulled out a nice road win at Pittsburgh last week, and their road trip continues in Foxboro. The Patriots still have a good chance at a first-round bye, so New England needs this game more than the Bills. The Pats’ veteran presence and coaching will be just enough to pull off the win and, in so doing, the season sweep. Patriots 27 – Bills 20
Texans vs. Bucs: Tampa Bay is done, but Jameis Winston is not. The Bucs are a sneaky team as Winston can go off for 400 yards and five touchdowns. But will he also throw five interceptions? Both Winston and Watson will light up the scoreboard. But in the end, Houston will make the defensive stop to win the ball game. Texans 36 – Bucs 28
Rams vs. 49ers: The Niners were completely flat in a home loss against the Falcons last week. That was a wake-up call for San Francisco, and it came at a good time–despite them being knocked out of the top slot. With the Rams playoff hopes hanging by a thread–and the Niners controlling their destiny–you’d have to believe the better team will show up and win the game. 49ers 33 – Rams 23
Giants vs. Redskins: In the “Who Cares Bowl” it appears NY will get its rookie QB back as he heals from an ankle injury. Fellow rookie QB Dwayne Haskins is coming off his most productive game as a starter, and I believe he will come into this game with more confidence. Look for another rookie, WR Terry McLaurin, to have a big day against the depleted Giants secondary. Redskins 26 – Giants 23
Saints vs. Titans: This is like a playoff game. The Titans may have lost the division after losing to the Texans last Sunday. The Saints are in the driver’s seat for a first-round bye in the NFC. But it may not be enough as Ryan Tannehill has found a home with the Titans and a receiver in A.J. Brown (not to mention the fast-moving powerhouse in Derrick Henry) I believe Tannehill will be the difference, wearing out the Saints defense in the 4th Quarter. Titans 23 – Saints 18
Steelers vs. Jets: The Steelers need this game badly! Pittsburgh currently holds the 6th seed with the Titans ready to take the lead. Pittsburgh has a tough time putting up points, and their rushing woes won’t get any better against a stout Jets run defense. “Duck” Hodges will need to beat the Jets secondary. Don’t bet on it, though!. Look for Sam Darnold to play the short game. Le’Veon Bell will give the Jets the jolt they need to win. Jets 19 – Steelers 16
Bengals vs. Dolphins: Rivaling the Giants-Redskins as the worst game of the week, the Bengals-Dolphins will hit the field in what should be a rainy day in Miami. Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to ball out and ruin the Dolphins’ dream of getting the first pick in the draft. With another loss by Cincinnati this weekend, the Bengals will be the ones with the top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Dolphins 27 – Bengals 19
Panthers vs. Colts: Weeks ago, these two teams were fighting for a playoff spot. Now they’re just fighting for pride. Carolina fired their head coach and benched their starting quarterback. Will Grier will get the nod under center, while Jacoby Brissett and the Colts will try to bounce back from that Monday night beatdown by the Saints. The Panthers have Christian McCaffrey, who can win a game by himself. He’ll need 200+ yards from scrimmage because the Colts will stack the box and dare Grier to throw the ball, I see Indy’s defense winning the game. Colts 20 – Panthers 17
Jaguars vs. Falcons: The Jags have been playing poorly even after pulling out a last-second victory in Oakland. Atlanta has started to play ball, and, for whatever reason, take the rest of the season seriously. Look for Matt Ryan to continue to hit Julio Jones up and down the field. Falcons 29 – Jaguars 13
Raiders vs. Chargers: These are two identical teams–average at best! They may not play the same, but they lose the same. If there is an edge in this game, it belongs to the Chargers. LAC still has an excellent passing game and Oakland can’t defend the pass. Chargers 31 – Raiders 16
Lions vs. Broncos: This is the “Boring Bowl” because neither team has much of just about anything. Because these are bad teams, I recommend taking the under in this game. The Lions will be lucky to get the ball in Denver territory, and the Broncos will rely on their mediocre running game.This could be the quickest game of the afternoon. Broncos 16 – Lions 6
Cardinals vs. Seahawks: The Cardinals can score touchdowns, so this is no cakewalk for Seattle. Arizona is playing like a team with nothing to lose because they don’t. Kenyon Drake has fit like a glove in the desert as Kyler Murray keeps making improvements. But…the Seahawks have the top seed in the NFC to consider, and a win at home will secure home-field advantage if they take care of the ‘Niners next week. Seahawks 33 – Cardinals 27
Cowboys vs. Eagles: In the “Who Wants it More” Bowl, the only thing the Eagles have going for them is that the game is in Philadelphia. Carson Wentz has run out of receivers to throw to, and the defense has completely forgotten how to play football. The Cowboys, on the other hand, showed me last week that they realize what’s at stake. They also have the personnel to get the job done. (Tip to Jason Garrett: give Zeke the ball. If Philly floods the box, then hit one of your four weapons over the middle.) Cowboys 31 – Eagles 20
Chiefs vs. Bears: The Bears are done, but Mitch Trubisky has more to prove. You can bet that Kansas City will get the best the Bears have to offer. Watch out for trick plays and fake punts as Chicago will need to do everything they can to score and keep up with the Chiefs’ offense. Patrick Mahomes is undoubtedly one of the best quarterbacks in the game and he has plenty of weapons at his disposal. Now that KC’s defense has started to play Big Boy football, the Chiefs have become a power-house again. The road won’t bother this veteran team. Chiefs 31 – Bears 12
Packers vs. Vikings: Wow! What a game! And what a way to close out Monday Night Football. This game will help determine who wins the NFC North and, also, who gets an NFC Wild Card spot. Both teams want a home game in the postseason, so you can bet this will be a hard-fought game. Rodgers has Adams and Jones. Cousins has Cook, Diggs, and Theilen. Meaning? Vikings have more playmakers. Both defenses are playing well, but given that the game is in the Dome, I’ll take the home team. Vikings 24 – Packers 21
