There will be no coal in my picking stocking this year, even if some out there think I am The Grinch. With the holidays upon us, I got my first Christmas gift last week when I went 9-5-1 with my picks against the spread and 12-4 straight up. That brings my ATS record to 110-103-11and my straight-up picks record to 136-88.
Being seven games over . 500 ATS sure is a nice feeling as we head to Christmas weekend. Let’s keep it going with a nice Week 16.
I want nothing but good feelings this Christmas, and giving me a second straight week of good picks would be another nice present for me — and hopefully for you. This is a big game in terms of playoffs for both teams. The Rams are one of the surprise teams in the league with a lot of young players getting the job done on both sides.
The Saints have had struggles on the road, but I think their defense will keep them in this one. Rams take it, but it’s tight. Rams 23, Saints 21 ( ) This is essentially a playoff game because the loser is basically done.
The Bengals have won three straight with , but playing a division rival on the road is a challenge. The Steelers haven’t been good on offense all year, so they are turning to at quarterback. He won’t be the reason they win it, but the defense will be.
Steelers 26, Bengals 23 The Bills have won two straight against two top teams and now get to play a Chargers team that has an interim coach and a quarterback making his second start. The Buffalo offense has really played well the past few weeks, and that will continue here. will complete more than the seven passes he hit last week as the Bills roll on.
Bills 31, Chargers 17 Both of these teams are still alive, but they have a feel of two teams going in opposite directions. The Falcons will start in this one at quarterback. The Colts have been playing well, but I think this is a game where the Falcons will find a way behind Heinicke.
Falcons 23, Colts 20 Titans quarterback injured his ankle last week in the loss to the , so his status bears watching. Even so, I think with Levis or at quarterback, the Titans can win this game. Seattle is on a short week, and even with back the Titans will find a way to win this one.
Titans 28, Seahawks 24 The Lions can lock up the division by winning this game. It won’t be easy. The Vikings defense had big issues against the Bengals last week, but I think it will bounce back here.
The Vikings will get after to slow the offense and stay in this and win it late. Vikings 23, Lions 20 So much for the idea that would be back. The Jets are done and the Commanders are right there with them.
The Jets at least have a defense that can slow down Washington. This will be ugly — no matter who plays quarterback for the Jets — but the Jets defense will get them the victory. Jets 19, Commanders 14 The Panthers won a game last week with a late-game drive by .
That matters for the future. The Packers have lost two straight, but they won’t lose this one, even as bad as their defense played last week. The Packers take it and the defense lessons the heat on Joe Barry.
Packers 26, Panthers 13 This is a big game for both teams. The Browns have played well with at quarterback, but he lost his last road start. The Texans should have back for this one, but that’s still up in the air.
Even if he is back, I think the Browns win it with a few deep balls and solid defense. Browns 24, Texans 17 is in the concussion protocol, which means it could be starting at quarterback. But this game will come down to whether can have success against the Jacksonville defense.
That unit played well last week against the , and I think they can slow Mayfield enough here. Jaguars take it. Jaguars 23, Bucs 20 Both teams are coming off losses, but the Bears probably should have won their game.
Their defense has made real strides in the past month, which I think will be the deciding factor here. Chicago takes it behind a good defensive showing, but it’s close as Arizona hangs around. Bears 20, Cardinals 19 This is an enormous game between two really good teams.
The Cowboys are playing a second straight road game, which is a challenge after getting beat by the Bills last week. Dallas doesn’t play well on the road, while Miami plays well at home. Even so, I think the Cowboys will find a way to hang around in this one.
Dolphins 30, Cowboys 29 The Patriots are playing out the string, while the Broncos are still pushing for a playoff spot. The Denver defense played horribly against the Lions last week, but being back home for a Christmas Eve game will get them back playing well. It helps the New England offense isn’t very good.
Broncos take it. Broncos 24, Patriots 10 The Chiefs got back on track last week against the Patriots and now can push to get the top seed. They beat the Raiders earlier this year on the road, but the Raiders are a better defense now.
The Chiefs win it, but it’s close. Chiefs 24, Raiders 21 The Eagles have lost three straight, but this is a good chance for a get-right game. The Giants are playing consecutive road games, which is always tough.
It’s tougher when it’s against a team playing for a division title, while you are playing out the string. Look for the Eagles to bounce back here with a strong showing by . Eagles 30, Giants 14 This is the game of the week, maybe the year.
These are the two best teams in either conference. The 49ers get a break getting the Ravens playing consecutive road games. The 49ers offense is the best unit of all four in this game, which is why I think they win this one.
wins the MVP battle with . 49ers 29, Ravens 21.
From: cbssports
URL: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/priscos-week-16-nfl-picks-49ers-upend-ravens-in-potential-super-bowl-preview-cowboys-dolphins-fireworks/