NFL picks, predictions against the point spread, Week 16

A winning week is going to keep my record above .500 for tor the year as I cling to hope for a winning season picking NFL games against the point spread. Let’s see what we have this week.

Minnesota Vikings (-9) at Green Bay Packers

The Vikings defense is suffocating and they are playing for the No. 1 seed potentially. I don’t typically like big point spreads in divisional games, but after getting Aaron Rodgers back and losing him again I feel like that would be emotionally breaking.

Pick: Vikings

Detroit Lions (-5) at Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are very beat up on defense.

Pick: Lions

Los Angeles Chargers (-7) at New York Jets

The Jets have been playing up all year and have a couple of dangerous defensive players. I don’t trust the Chargers to win comfortably, they never win comfortably.

Pick: Chargers (-7)

Los Angeles Rams (-6.5) at Tennessee Titans

The Rams are terrific and the Titans are inconsistent but keep winning. They are 8-6 despite a -23 point differential.

Pick: Rams

Cleveland Browns (+6) at Chicago Bears

The Browns are running out of time if they are going to win a game this year. I don’t know if they can, but I don’t think it’ll be for lack of trying.

Pick: Browns

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+10) at Carolina Panthers

I like big point differentials in divisional games.

Pick: Buccaneers

Atlanta Falcons (+5.5) at New Orleans Saints

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Falcons won outright, so I’ll definitely take the points.

Pick: Falcons

Denver Broncos (+3.5) at Washington

Since the loss to the Giants, the Broncos have gone 2-7, but they are 2-0 in their last two games. They have a fairly talented team and I think they can keep this game close.

Pick: Broncos

Miami Dolphins (+10) at Kansas City Chiefs

Ten points is too many for a team that has been so inconsistent on offense all year.

Pick: Dolphins

Buffalo Bills (+12.5) at New England Patriots

The Bills need this game, but they can never beat the Patriots. Still, I think it’s possible they keep it close because they don’t get a whole lot of turnovers.

Pick: Bills

Jacksonville Jaguars (-4.5) at San Francisco 49ers

Good quarterback play makes a huge difference. The 49ers are a much better team with Jimmy G. The Jaguars’ defense, though, is a different animal. The Jaguars haveone of the best secondaries we’ve seen. I don’t think the 49ers have the offensive weapons to challenge the Jaguars on defense.

Pick: Jaguars

New York Giants (+4.5) at Arizona Cardinals

I’m hoping the Giants have another win in them, but they are so beat up. Landon Collins is soldiering on, but he’s banged up. The linebackers, defensive ends. Everyone is beat up. I don’t know if they can travel across country and defeat a solid, but unspectacular Cardinals team, but I hope they will keep it close. I’d also love to see another vintage performance from Eli Manning.

Pick: Giants

Seattle Seahawks (+5) at Dallas Cowboys

If Ezekiel Elliott is able to run on Seattle like Todd Gurley did the Cowboys will run all over the Seahawks, but I don’t think they will do that.

Pick: Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers (-9) at Houston Texans

The Texans defense is last in the league in points allowed. They sure miss J.J. Watt.

Pick: Steelers by more than 9

Oakland Raiders (+9) at Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles’ defense showed some warts against the Giants. If they want to win the Super Bowl they have to play much better.

Pick: Raiders

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Season Record: 105-102-10