Week 16 Predictions

Vikings at Packers
As Brett Favre starts perhaps his final home game, Tarvarias Jackson starts his first game ever. The crowd will be doubly into the game. Packers 30, Vikings 14

Chiefs at Raiders
The Chiefs want to go to the playoffs. The Raiders want to go home. Chiefs 23, Raiders 7

Ravens at Steelers
Games between these two teams are always tough to predict, but Baltimore did beat Pittsburgh this year, at home, 27-0. However, now Pittsburgh is at home, and they are also riding a 3 game win streak. Steelers 17, Ravens 14

Panthers at Falcons
The season began with high expectations for the Panthers and now their schedule puts them in a situation where they could lose 10 games. Falcons 20, Panthers 10

Bears at Lions
The Bears didn't exactly dominate a bad team last week, but Detroit has given up on this season. Bears 24, Lions 6

Colts at Texans
Against the Bengals, the defense gelled and somehow played well after their embarrassment against the Jaguars. Colts 35, Texans 10

Patriots at Jaguars
I give up on reasonably predicting any game in which the Jaguars participate. Patriots 24, Jaguars 17

Saints at Giants
A big game here. The Giants desperately need a win for playoffs, the Saints really want one to step towards a first round bye. One team is more desperate, but the Saints might come out with a little extra after their loss to Washington. Saints 31, Giants 27

Buccaneers at Browns
I wonder if anybody will watch this game. Buccaneers 17, Browns 13

Bills at Titans
This should be a good game, between two very hot teams. The Titans have been winning close and one wonders when their luck will run out. Bills 21, Titans 16

Redskins at Rams
The Redskins defense finally woke up, against one of the league's best offenses, about 14 games too late. The Rams weren't too shabby last week on defense but that was the Raiders. Redskins 24, Rams 21

Cardinals at 49ers
How San Francisco is playing for their playoff lives in week 16 is unknowable. 49ers 27, Cardinals 20

Bengals at Broncos
Both teams find themselves in tough situations, at 8-6. The loser of this game is probably done. It's a tough one to predict. Bengals 30, Broncos 20

Chargers at Seahawks
A win here for the Chargers puts them at home through the playoffs. They won't blow their 8-game win streak against a team that has not yet won the NFC West. Chargers 33, Seahawks 21

Eagles at Cowboys
Three weeks ago it looked like by now Dallas would be cruising and Philly would be done. Instead, it's a huge, huge game. Dallas probably wins if only because they are at home. If Philly wins it will be because of Garcia's experience and Romo's inexperience. Cowboys 20, Eagles 17

Jets at Dolphins
Miami has had a very topsy-turvy string of weeks now, and the Jets also to a lesser extent. New York is the better team. Jets 20, Dolphins 10