WEEK 16 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

MERRY CHRISTMAS

NOW I HAVE A MACHINE GUN

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (10-6)

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT NEW YORK JETS

Don’t look now, but the Jaguars are making a push for the playoffs. Not a stinking wild card but the division title as Jacksonville has won two in a row. Meanwhile the Jets are sliding as they lost three in row and 4 out of their last 5 games. The Jets offense has been averaging 13.5 points in those losses. Let’s face the facts that the team hates Zach Wilson who may be headed to Ryan Leaf’s town as a bust. I’m sure you have heard this before that another Jets number one quarterback pick bites the dust. The Jaguars number one pick at quarterback is starting to get it as Trevor Lawrence has 7 touchdown passes & only 1 interception in those last two games.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

CHRISTMAS EVE GAMES

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The Seahawks have struggled since playing the Buccaneers in Germany several weeks ago. Seattle has lost two games in a row and the defense is giving up more production than the local whorehouse. Kansas City is trying to get that number one spot in the AFC. Patrick Mahomes has won 15 straight games against NFC opponents. Those 15 straight inter-conference wins ties a record set by Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert which is the longest streak since the NFL merger in 1970.

Seattle have struggled to run the ball the last few weeks which makes Geno Smith and that offense one dimensional against a pretty good Chiefs defense. The Seahawks’ glimmering hopes of the playoffs this season goes officially dark.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

NEW YORK GIANTS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

The Giants and Vikings may be the two luckiest teams in the entire NFL this season. Last week, the Vikings made the biggest comeback in NFL history to beat the Colts. The Giants escaped Washington with a big victory, and it helps their wild card hopes. Both teams win the close call games. Vikings defense is hot garbage once again. The Giants offense can’t keep up with the Vikings offense if this game turns into a shoot-out. Vikings are looking to improve their seeding as they have the North clinched. A Giants win can help New York get in the post-season. I like the Vikings cleaning things up and playing a complete game as this game has that playoff feeling.

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

How do the Patriots come back from the sting of that last play of the game they lost to the Raiders last week?

The Bengals are one of the hottest teams in the league winning their last 5. The Patriots playoff hopes is nothing but a short wick on a windy day. Head Coach Bill Belichick’s best game plan of all-time would not help this Patriot team beat the Bengals. Bill Belichick would need to go back in time and drag Tom Brady back from their hey days to win this one.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

BUFFALO BILLS AT CHICAGO BEARS

The Bears have lost seven in a row and were eliminated from the playoff contention last week. The Bills have won five straight and are looking to clinch the AFC East with a win while holding on to the number one seed in their conference. Can Justin Fields run wild on a pretty good defensive unit the Bills have? The Bears defense can’t stop anyone. The Bears offensive line is sketchy. It will be cold in Chicago. Like a second home for the Bills.

OUR PICK: BILLS

ATLANTA FALCONS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

If you like the running game in football, this is the game for you. Last week Desmond Ridder made his NFL debut in his first start during which he was ok. Lamar Jackson could be back in this one. Both teams have had a hard time scoring points in the last several weeks. The Falcons have lost three in a row and will face a good defensive unit the Ravens have. The Ravens are 3-0 versus the NFC South this season. I like this game being a low scoring affair, but Ravens prevail as they need this win to start cementing themselves into the post-season.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

Which team do you think can win two games in a row in this match up? Both the Saints and Browns coming into week 16 with wins. Both teams this season have a hard time stringing victories together. Deshaun Watson won his first game behind center in a Browns uniform. First victory for Watson since 2020 as he been a very busy man and hands on. Both teams’ shots to make post-season are dismal. The Saints have a better chance playing in the dreaded NFC South. Nick Chubb needs two rushing touchdowns to reach the 50th mark. Only Leroy Kelly and Jim Brown have done that in Browns history. It’s Christmas, so I’m going with the Red Rifleman Andy Dalton in this one.

Besides I hate Deshaun Watson. Scum of the earth. It’s good to be a Saint around the Holidays.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

HOUSTON TEXANS AT TENNESSEE TITANS

Both teams combined have lost 13 games in a row. The Titans have fallen on hard times. Ryan Tannehill is most likely out for the season with ankle issues as now the Titans will have to rely on running back Derrick Henry to carry the full load. This game seems simple. Titans break their losing streak and control the AFC South for another week with the Jaguars closing in. However, I have different thoughts. Since 2011, the Texans are 16-7 versus the Titans. Last week the Texans took the Chiefs to overtime. Then the Texans gave the Cowboys a run for their money in week 14. Two of the elite teams in the NFL. The Titans have been sluggish most of the season except during that winning streak after the slow start. I’m feeling an upset. I like the Texans to really make things interesting in the AFC South with a win.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

DETROIT LIONS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS

The Panthers still have a chance because they play in the NFC South. The Lions have won three games in a row, found their courage, and are making a playoff push playing their best football of the year. Lions are 3-3 on the road so in present day they can come into town and beat you. Sam Darnold has taken over duties behind center and the team responded with a few victories out of the gates. I can’t trust this Panther team as I thought they should have won last week versus Mitch Trubisky and the Steelers. I like the Lions to continue to roar. Jared Goff has gone six games without throwing an interception. I like the Lions running game to control this game and show the Panthers they are king of the jungle.

OUR PICK: LIONS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

The Commanders loss to the Giants might sting even more now facing a 49er team that has won 7 straight. The 49ers last week locked up the NFC West & will be looking for more. The Commanders are holding on to their playoff hopes like a booger flapping in the wind on a nose hair. Could we see Carson Wentz behind center for Washington for some kind of jolt to that offense? The 49ers defense is probably the best in the league against a Washington offense that probably ranks on the outskirts of the middle of the pack. Brock Purdy has been operating the 49ers offense like a nuclear power engineer taking what’s in front of him & not taking the risks. The Giants game may haunt the Commanders all off-season.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT DALLAS COWBOYS

Jalen Hurts is out for the Eagles and the mustache is in. This is a big blow to the Eagles, or is it? Gardner Minshew, former Jaguar, has made 22 starts in the NFL.

The Cowboys and the Eagles love to sack the quarterback, and both defenses can make things hard on the opposing signal caller. Without Hurts playing, the Cowboys should be able to keep Minshew in the pocket. The Cowboys are 7-1 at home while the Eagles are perfect on the road, 7-0. Eagles have 8 pro bowl players on this existing roster. I have a feeling the Eagles system can be very favorable to many quarterbacks as they have all kinds of play makers. The Cowboys will make this a close game. I like the Eagles soaring to a victory and winning the NFC East with a big win without missing a beat at the quarterback position.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS

The first thing I will say is a West Coast team, Vegas, traveling across the country to play in the cold of steel town. This is the anniversary of the immaculate reception.

The Raiders clashed with the Steelers in a playoff game in 1972 at Three Rivers stadium when running back Franco Harris caught the deflected pass and ran it in for a score for a Pittsburgh victory. Harris passed away this week at the age of 72. I think the Steelers play over their heads in this one in a tribute to Harris. The Steelers might not even have to play their best game as they are playing a bad Raider team that don’t play well away from Vegas. Factor in the cold as well.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

MERRY CHRISTMAS (SUNDAY GAMES)

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Packers are still alive in the play-off hunt. The Dolphins have lost three games in a row and want to keep their spot they have right now at least as a wild card. Aaron Rodgers will make a statement in front of a national audience and have a big performance. I like the Dolphins at home here. I like this game as a shoot-out, but the fins find a way at the end to shred the cheese.

OUR PICK: DOLPHINS

DENVER BRONCOS AT LA RAMS

On paper this might have been penciled in as a big game before the season started. The Broncos get Russell Wilson back behind center. This game is a clunker. Who cares? Both teams are disappointing, and all the players involved are busy making their off-season plans. I go with the home team in this one. Make sure you spike the egg nog if you have to watch this one.

OUR PICK: RAMS

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS

This game is how Tom Brady can be the luckiest jive turkey in the game. The Buccaneers should not be in the post-season. The team has been terrible. Buccaneers remain on top of one of the sorriest divisions of all-time. Now they play the Cardinals, another team that has been a disgrace to the football world & who are down to their third string quarterback. Does Trace McSorley scare anybody? Brady and company in a snooze fest win a game on the road and keep their lead in the NFC South. Double up on the spiked egg nog now watching this one.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

LA CHARGERS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

HAPPY BOXING DAY?

I really don’t think the Colts will be over that gigantic collapse versus the Vikings last week. The Colts will be without running back Jonathan Taylor. The Chargers are making a run for the post-season. I like the Chargers having all their weapons back in the fold for Justin Herbert. Watch that aerial attack thrive inside the Indianapolis dome as Chargers hopes for the post-season stay alive and well.