NFL Week Sixteen predictions

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays...

NFL Weekly Picks

Photo: From left to right: Josh, Abe, Phil and Pratik.

From left to right: Josh, Abe, Phil and Pratik. Photo courtesy of Zoe Norvell.

Last Week

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Atlanta (8-6) at Tampa Bay (9-5) – 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Tampa Bay has had Michael Vick's number ever since he came into the league. I don't expect that to change now.

Abe says: Michael Vick never, ever plays well against the Buccaneers, and this week will be no different. Tampa has all but locked up a wild-card berth, and as long as they can rely on defense and a solid ground game, they should cruise at home.

Josh says: Tampa Bay contains a battered Mike Vick and outscores the Falcons in a game of field goals.

Buffalo (4-10) at Cincinnati (11-3) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: How can you bet against Chad Johnson when he's got a reindeer planned for his TD celebration? That's some kinda chutzpah this guy's got.

Abe says: Buffalo has lost its life. By definition, this means that the team is dead. The Bengals fly high this week but it's Rudi Johnson who has the biggest game for Cincy, as he and fellow RB Chris Perry will be called on often.

Josh says: The Bengals will fry. Their receiving corps has been huge lately. Even though Chad Johnson has been facing double coverage all year, T.J. Houshmanzadeh has stepped up and become a more than capable number two wideout.

Dallas (8-6) at Carolina (10-4) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Dallas got destroyed, demolished, and absolutely dismantled last week against the Redskins. I expect Steve Smith and Jake Delhomme to carve up this Dallas secondary and to roll on to another big win.

Abe says: Dallas came out with no emotion last week against the Redskins, and the Panthers are poised for a big game. Steve Smith is still the best receiver in the league, and if the Cowboys had trouble with Washington, Carolina's D will be licking its lips.

Josh says: Dallas is falling fast. It's very unlike a Bill Parcells team to go on any losing streak, but I wouldn't put it past the Cowboys the way they got thrashed by the 'Skins last week.

Detroit (4-10) at New Orleans (3-11) in San Antonio, Texas - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Detroit is bad true, but relative to New Orleans, they actually look pretty good.

Abe says: I don't care if Joe Horn plays quarterback for the Saints...The Lions are simply horrible, and Joey Harrington is back in action this week. Detroit has too many injuries, too many boneheaded players and too many mistake-prone guys.

Josh says: New Orleans is still making their last push to get Reggie Bush, but unfortunately they haven't realized that it's too late. The Lions offense breaks out this week against the nomadic Saints.

Jacksonville (10-4) at Houston (2-12) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Houston is in a "must lose" situation. They cannot let Reggie Bush slip away with a win.

Abe says: Houston is lucky to lose this one, as they take one step closer to Reggie Bush.

Josh says: Houston just had to win last week so they could have some suspense in whether or not they get Reggie Bush. They remember the best way to get him this week and go back to doing what they do best: losing.

New York Giants (10-4) at Washington (8-6) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Washington is in a must win situation and they won't be unprepared to play, as they were against the Giants the last time around. I expect a power running game to give the Redskins the win in this one.

Abe says: If Washington wins this week and at Philly next week and the Raiders beat the Giants in week 17, the Redskins will actually win the NFC East. But even if the 'Skins are shut out of the playoffs, we swept, I repeat, we swept Dallas.

Josh says: The Redskins are the hottest team in the NFL right now, having just killed their rival Cowboys last week.

Pittsburgh (9-5) at Cleveland (5-9) - 4:05 p.m.

Pratik says: Pittsburgh should win this one handily.

Abe says: The Steelers are working their way back to the top of the NFL, while Cleveland is struggling to stay competitive. Big Ben and Pitt roll into Ohio and beat down the Browns.

Josh says: Pittsburgh pounds the ball on the ground and Jerome Bettis carries the Steelers to a win.

San Diego (9-5) at Kansas City (8-6) - 4:05 p.m.

Pratik says: How can you bet against San Diego after watching them beat the Colts?

Abe says: The Chiefs do NOT lose at home in December. And Larry Johnson has emerged as a top-5 running back in the NFL despite only starting half of Kansas City's games this year.

Josh says: Larry Johnson could have been MVP this year if he had been a starter all year. What a monster. Larry "I'm Here Now" Johnson carries the Chiefs, almost all by himself past the Chargers.

San Francisco (2-12) at St. Louis (5-9) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Ugh...I guess I'll go with the Rams just because they're not playing for Bush.

Abe says: Ew. Now here's a pathetic matchup. Alex Smith has yet to throw a touchdown pass this season...still.

Josh says: Whoever can't beat San Francisco this year doesn't deserve to be in the NFL. I believe the Rams have the potential to lose to them, but they'll pull out a win.

Miami (7-7) at Tennessee (4-10) - 1:00 p.m.

Pratik says: Miami seems to be playing tough here at the end of the season, so I expect them to win against a reeling Tennessee team.

Abe says: Miami is an average team, one that has shown both flashes of greatness and pitiful displays of poor football. But their record is much better at home, and Tennessee's mere four wins make this game an easy pick. Plus, someone told me the Titans' injured reserve list lasted 20 pages...no joke.

Josh says: Miami has been somewhat surprising this year, winning their last four games. This should be another win for them, as Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown punish the Titan's holey defense.

Philadelphia (6-8) at Arizona (4-10) - 4:05 p.m.

Pratik says: Arizona's football team should get moved to L.A., at least they'll have a better environment than the desert surrounding them.

Abe says: This pick is pure gut feeling. My expert instinct tells me that the Cards won't lose to a Philly team that is not in peak form and is missing several key pieces. Look for Larry Fitzgerald to have a big game.

Josh says: I do like the Arizona passing attack versus the Eagles depleted secondary, but the Eagles continue their trend of winning games without even playing well. Andy Reid deserves coach of the year.

Indianapolis (13-1) at Seattle (12-2) - 4:15 p.m.

Pratik says: Indy's probably going to rest their starters after a quarter or two, whereas the Seahawks know that if they win, they get the number one seed in the playoffs.

Abe says: R.I.P. James Dungy...

Josh says: Indianapolis doesn't have that perfect season to play towards anymore, and Seattle is one of the only teams in the league that can come close to scoring as many points as the Colts. Shaun Alexander dictates the pace of the game and slows things down enough to hand the Colts their second loss of the season.

Oakland (4-10) at Denver (11-3) - 4:15 p.m.

Pratik says: The only way Denver could lose is if they decide to play their second string.

Abe says: The Broncos. In Denver. In December. Please connect the dots.

Josh says: Oakland has been a huge disappointment this season, and Denver is playing as well as they have all year. An obvious pick.

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Chicago (10-4) at Green Bay (3-11) - 4:15 p.m.

Pratik says: Green Bay can't keep up with Chicago. There's no way at all.

Abe says: Lovie Smith changed it up a bit last week by inserting Rex Grossman into the starting lineup. At first, I was mad that he would abandon Kyle Orton after he led the Bears to nine wins, but I'm starting to like his thinking. The Bears rely on their solid D, but they will need to score points in the postseason. Rex is the man for the job,

Josh says: Last week, Baltimore's offense came alive against the Packers, and this week it's the Bears', now quarterbacked by Rex Grossman. The Bears' defense continues their excellent team play and holds the Packers to under 10 points.

Minnesota (8-6) at Baltimore (5-9) - 8:30 p.m.

Pratik says: I've jumped off of the Minnesota bandwagon and somehow I ended up on the Baltimore one...I guess that 45 point Monday Night drubbing of Green Bay helped.

Abe says: I will not be fooled by the 48 points Baltimore put up against Green Bay on Monday night. Plus, Brad J is still the man. MVP, anyone?

Josh says: Baltimore and Kyle Boller played their best game of the year last week against the Packers, and the Vikings lost. Look for Kyle Boller to improve upon last week's performance and for the Ravens to win.

Monday, December 26, 2005

New England (9-5) at New York Jets (3-11) - 9:00 p.m.

Pratik says: New England is going to win because they are playing like the Patriots of old and the Jets are playing for Reggie.

Abe says: New England is on fire right now, and another win late in the season may set up a wild AFC playoffs, including a possible matchup with Indy.

Josh says: New England is regaining its championship form at the right time, and the rest of the league better watch out. Tedy Bruschi is back to being himself again, and he's an absolute animal. The Patriots continue to roll.