Week 16 NFL Picks-The Field Is Narrowing Down

Poor execution at critical moments was the predominant theme in Week 15. The Giants squandered a substantial lead by letting Michael Vick out of his cage and with 14 seconds left watched the game literally slip through their fingers. DeSean Jackson took an errant Dodge punt 65 yards straight up the middle of the Giants special teams for a touchdown. Tom Coughlin went bananas on the field. Too bad because Eli Manning had such a good game. Jacksonville had another "what the heck happened" game. The contest still winnable despite being behind late in the fourth, Jacksonville's Scobee attemted an onside kick with 1:54 that went straight to Hagler of the Colts who scooped up the ball and blew past everyone 41 yards for a touchdown. Finally, we come to the Patriots-Packers game. How do you let an offensive lineman take a kickoff 71 yards? The Packers coaches were probably asking that very question after their loss to the Patriots. Dan Connolly's blazing speed caught the Packers off guard. It's that simple, or is it?

Some Divisions are still up for grabs and Week 16 may clarify who may come out on top. The AFC North is still undecided. Pittsburgh plays Carolina and Baltimore plays Cleveland. The Steelers should have no problem with the Panthers, if they confine Jonathan Stewart. The Browns could put a wooden stake into the hearts of the Ravens and possess the capability, which would put Pittsburgh back in the driver's seat. That's a huge maybe. Where's Joshua Cribbs? Tennessee pulled off a shocker against Houston. The Titan defense plagued Schuab and both Chris Johnson and Kerry Collins had good games. If the Titans repeat, Kansas City will be in a fight for their life. Favre is in, Favre is out. Philadelphia is going to put the hammer to Minnesota. Seattle and St. Louis are neck and neck. Between the two, St. Louis has the better odds of winning this week. San Diego is playing Cicinnati and is in a must win situation. Should be no problem for the Chargers, you would think. The Chargers have played us for fools before.

The games of the week are Indianapolis at Oakland, NY Giants at Green Bay, New Orleans at Atlanta, NY Jets at Chicago. Peyton Manning is still a beat off with making big throws. If he gets back in sinc this week, look out Oakland. Unfortunately, Manning will have to do it without Austin Collie, but he has other weapons. One thing Oakland has that Indy doesn't is a running game, and Indy's defense is weak against the run. Oakland's defense is 5th against the pass, but 26th against the run. Maybe Peyton should fool everyone and run a few times. The Giants are coming off a heart breaker as well as the Packers. Aaron Rodgers is back, which is bad news for the Giants. For the Giants to win, Eli Manning is going to have to hold his own against a good pass defense. The Giants defense is up to the challenge, if they don't fall asleep again.

Atlanta has won eight in a row and is scoring touchdowns. They are solid at every position. New Orleans only hope for a playoff is a wildcard spot because Atlanta has already wrapped up the division. Atlanta has a chance to take the Saints out for good. Drew Brees will have to put out his best to survive. The NY Jets against Chicago is huge. The Jets have spent their nine lives. They have won in dramatic fashion games that could have easily went to the loss column. Sanchez to Holmes has been a winning combination at pivotal moments and against the Bear's defense nothing short of spectacular will do. They are playing in Cold-Chago, windy Cold-Chago, Bear country. Chicago exerted their domination in Week 15 against collasped Vikings. If Cutler continues to avoid the costly mistake, it will be an easy win.

Can a team win their division with a losing record? St. Louis and Seattle just might. Either team will have to win their next two games to avoid that honorable distinction. It has happened before. The Browns and Lions both entered the 1982 playoffs with 4-5 records because of a strike shortened season. Too bad the Browns weren't in the NFC West this year.

 

THU, DEC 23 TIME (ET)

Carolina 15 at Pittsburgh 27 8:20 PM NFL W

Heinz Field

SAT, DEC 25 TIME (ET)

Dallas 23 at Arizona 18 7:30 PM NFL L 

U of Phoenix Stadium

SUN, DEC 26 TIME (ET)

Washington 20 at Jacksonville 24 1:00 PM FOX L 

EverBank Field

Detroit 23 at Miami 24 1:00 PM FOX L

Sun Life Stadium

San Francisco 18 at St. Louis 25 1:00 PM FOX W

Edward Jones Dome

Tennessee 24 at Kansas City 21 1:00 PM CBS L 

Arrowhead Stadium

NY Jets 20 at Chicago 26 1:00 PM CBS W

Soldier Field

New England 30 at Buffalo 20 1:00 PM CBS W 

Ralph Wilson Stadium

Baltimore 24 at Cleveland 23 1:00 PM CBS W

Cleveland Browns Stadium

Houston 24 at Denver 18 4:05 PM CBS L 

Invesco Field at Mile High

San Diego 28 at Cincinnati 21 4:05 PM CBS L 

Paul Brown Stadium

Indianapolis 34 at Oakland 24 4:05 PM CBS W 

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

NY Giants 20 at Green Bay 27 4:15 PM FOX W 

Lambeau Field

Seattle 23 at Tampa Bay 27 4:15 PM FOX W

Raymond James Stadium

Minnesota 18 at Philadelphia 32 8:20 PM NBC L 

Lincoln Financial Field

MON, DEC 27 TIME (ET)

New Orleans 27 at Atlanta 28 8:30 PM L

Georgia Dome