NFL Week 16 Predictions

SATURDAY (Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve) (EARLY GAMES)

vikes 27, SKINS 24

With the Colts’ improbable win Thursday night, there will assuredly be some Vikings fans out there who hope Minnesota loses its last two games with hopes of drafting Andrew Luck this spring. However, the coaches and the players have too much pride to not to play hard. Adrian Peterson has a monster game and the Purple get a long overdue win today.

BILLS 23, broncos 20

Speaking of wins far past due, how about those Bills? Buffalo overcomes Tebow’s late-game magic and get its first win since Oct. 30 today.

BENGALS 20, cards 16

Former Fordham Rams quarterback John Skelton leads his Cardinals into Cincinnati today on a four-game winning streak. But the Bengals are playing for a playoff bid and TCU alum Andy Dalton is poised to defend his home turf, leading Cincy in accomplishing a crucial victory.

jags 24, TITANS 20

Maurice Jones-Drew rumbles through Tennessee’s defense today, as the Jaguars upset the Titans in Nashville.

raiders 23, CHIEFS 20 (in OT)

Last week’s impressive upset victory over the Packers have suddenly given the Chiefs hope for a playoff birth. What? Chiefs? Playoffs? Oakland quickly dashes this hope, as Michael Bush rushes for 100 yards and leads his Raiders past its division rival in K.C.

PATS 34, fins 17

Tom Brady carries his fire from last week’s win at Denver onto his home field today. New England dumps the Dolphins with ease.

giants 27, JETS 23

It’s the Battle of the Big Apple today at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the New York Giants take on the New York Jets. With both teams fighting for playoff berths, it should be a no holes barred fight to the finish. In the end, Eli Manning redeems himself for his three-pick performance last week and leads his Giants to victory.

STEEL 17, rams 6

It’s a snooze fest in Pittsburgh today, where the Charlie Batch-led Steelers take on the Kellen Clemens-led Rams. Batch against a sub-par St. Louis defense is a better matchup than Clemens against a Pittsburgh defense ranked No. 1 against the pass. The Steelers overcome Big Ben’s absence, pick up the win and improve to 11-4.

PANTHERS 30, bucs 20

What happened to the 4-2 Tampa Bay team that beat the Saints on Oct. 16? Egad! They’ve lost eight games and have become a huge disappointment. Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers have won three of its past four games and surpassed the Bucs in the standings. The NFC south foes meet today in Charlotte, where Cam Newton continues his spectacular rookie season and Carolina tops Tampa by ten.

RAVENS 23, browns 10

The Browns defense proves to be no challenge for Ray Rice. The Ravens running back racks up a combined 160 rushing/receiving yards today, as Baltimore crushes Cleveland and completes its regular season home schedule a perfect 8-0.

SATURDAY (LATE GAMES)

chargers 31, LIONS 27

The resurgent Chargers continue its strong late-season play in Detroit today. San Diego contains Calvin Johnson, defeats the Lions for its fourth straight win and keep its improbable run at the playoffs alive.

BOYS 34, eagles 30

With the return of QB Michael Vick, the Eagles have suddenly become an exciting team once again. Philadelphia has destroyed its past two opponents by a combined 71-29 score and become relevant in the playoff picture again. At 8-6, Tony Romo and the Cowboys face a lot of pressure to defeat their NFC East foe at home this afternoon. Pressure can either make a team panic or give them energy to feed off of. Today, Romo is able to use the pressure to his benefit, as Dallas defeats Vick and the Eagles in an offensive showdown at Jerry World.

HAWKS 16, niners 13

An opposing team finally scores a rushing touchdown against San Francisco, as Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch carries the pigskin past the pie line today and the Seahawks upset the Niners.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL (Dec. 25 – Christmas Day)

PACK 34, bears 10

Green Bay is an angry team after Kansas City ruined its perfect season last week. The Packers take out this frustration against the Bears tomorrow night and deliver their rivals some Christmas coal. Aaron Rodgers returns to precision form, passing for 300-plus yards as the Pack wins big.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

SAINTS 38, falcons 28

Drew Brees is on fire right now. Tomorrow night, the Saints QB torches the Falcons in a shootout and New Orleans rolls on to its seventh straight win.