Heading into Week 16 of the NFL schedule, we have several important games as teams start to set their sights on playoff positioning. The NFL standings suggest Week 16 should have several non-competitive contests. However, this is the NFL, and this has been one of the most unpredictable seasons ever. What are our picks and predictions for Week 16 in the NFL?
NFL picks and predictions Week 16 | NFL lines and odds
With the 2021Â NFL playoff picture coming sharply into focus as we head into Week 16, there is still a lot up for grabs in the final three weeks. With upsets and controversies all over the NFL on a weekly basis, how do the sportsbooks view Week 16?
Let’s take a look at the Week 16 picks, predictions, and NFL odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of 2 PM ET on December 25.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-10)
I expect the Giants to start Jake Fromm this week. Fromm is a complete unknown, but he can’t possibly be worse than Mike Glennon.
The Eagles are playing well, and Jalen Hurts is getting healthy. This is a divisional game, but the Eagles have everything to play for with a Wild Card spot on the line, and the Giants are just going through the motions. The Eagles should roll.
Giants vs. Eagles Prediction:Â Eagles 24, Giants 7
Los Angeles Rams (-3.5) at Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings won a game in which Kirk Cousins threw for just 87 yards. He’ll have to do better than that to hang with Mr. Cooper this week.
Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp have been unstoppable together. The Rams are on fire right now, but the NFL is strange, and anyone can lose to anyone, especially on the road.
Rams vs. Vikings Prediction:Â Vikings 31, Rams 27
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-2)
The Patriots beat the Bills three weeks ago in the Wind Bowl, where Mac Jones attempted just 3 passes. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Jones attempts more than that this week.
Josh Allen is not playing like an MVP, but he’s playing well enough. Gabriel Davis has officially broken out, and Stefon Diggs remains uncoverable. I think the Bills get the Patriots back here.
Bills vs. Patriots Prediction:Â Bills 23, Patriots 19
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-9.5) at Carolina Panthers
Tom Brady threw for 214 scoreless yards last week. The Bucs were shut out at home by the Saints. It’s time for Brady to morph into Angry Tom Brady.
The Bucs are going to unleash all their frustrations on the Panthers. Even without Chris Godwin and possibly Mike Evans, Brady is going to do whatever he wants. Antonio Brown is back, and this is just a talent mismatch.
Buccaneers vs. Panthers Prediction:Â Buccaneers 35, Panthers 10
Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets (-1.5)
Trevor Lawrence has thrown 1 touchdown pass in his last seven games. I’m not calling him a bust after just one season, but he has not played well or resembled the caliber of player that should go first overall.
In this matchup of the top two picks of the 2021 NFL Draft, Zach Wilson has looked better recently. He has three games with multiple touchdown passes, which is two more than Lawrence. I just can’t back the Jaguars … ever.
Jaguars vs. Jets Prediction:Â Jets 20, Jaguars 16
Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons (-6.5)
The Lions are coming off a completely shocking blowout victory over the Cardinals. Normally, in this spot, I’d look at this line and immediately jump on the Falcons. However, the Falcons have no business being touchdown favorites over anyone.
With that said, we need to see who is starting at quarterback for the Lions. As long as it’s not Tim Boyle, I think they can cover this line.
Lions vs. Falcons Prediction:Â Falcons 24, Lions 20
Los Angeles Chargers (-10) at Houston Texans
The Chargers suffered a devastating loss against the Chiefs last week in a game they probably should’ve won. Meanwhile, the Texans steamrolled the Jaguars. It’s time for a classic double-reverse narrative.
This is a large number to lay on the road, and the Chargers don’t have Austin Ekeler. Nevertheless, Justin Herbert should be able to get it done.
Chargers vs. Texans Prediction:Â Chargers 31, Texans 17
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (OFF)
Lamar Jackson didn’t practice all week, and Tyler Huntley is now out with COVID. The Ravens are down to Josh Johnson, who they signed two weeks ago away from the Jets. It’s an unmitigated disaster in the most important game of the season.
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The Ravens are looking for revenge after the Bengals blew them out 41-17 in their first meeting. This game will likely decide the winner of the AFC North as well as whether either of these squads make the playoffs. The Ravens will be as motivated as ever, but I’m not sure they can win this game without Jackson and Huntley.
Ravens vs. Bengals Prediction:Â Bengals 26, Ravens 16
Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks (-6.5)
The Bears probably should have beaten the Vikings last week. They managed to enter scoring position four times without scoring. It was a truly impressive feat of incompetence.
On the other side, we have the Seahawks, who can’t do anything right. Russell Wilson threw for just 156 yards last week. The Seahawks should win this game, but I can’t lay a touchdown.
Bears vs. Seahawks Prediction:Â Seahawks 27, Bears 21
Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs (-8.5)
In watching the Bucs play without their top three offensive weapons, we got a glimpse of what happens to even the best of the best quarterbacks when they don’t have their best players.
If Patrick Mahomes is without Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, I just can’t back the Chiefs with any confidence. Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle, and Josh Gordon are not going to get it done.
Steelers vs. Chiefs Prediction:Â Steelers 24, Chiefs 20
Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders (-1)
The Raiders beat the Broncos 34-24 in Denver the last time these teams met. This week, the Broncos will be forced to start Drew Lock, which makes what I’m about to do very scary.
I just can’t buy the Raiders, playing as they currently are, sweeping the Broncos.
Broncos vs. Raiders Prediction:Â Broncos 20, Raiders 17
Sunday Night Football: Washington Football Team at Dallas Cowboys (-10)
Dak Prescott hasn’t thrown more than a single touchdown in three straight games. One of those games was a blowout turned nailbiter against the Football Team in Washington.
Washington will get Taylor Heinicke back, and they put up a fight against the Eagles last week. They’re not going to win this game, but I don’t trust the Cowboys’ offense right now.
Washington vs. Cowboys Prediction:Â Cowboys 24, Football Team 17
Monday Night Football: Week 16 picks and predictions
Let’s look at the current odds for Monday Night Football and make our final pick and prediction for Week 16 of the 2021 NFL season.
Miami Dolphins (-2.5) at New Orleans Saints
The Dolphins are winners of six straight and need this game if they plan to make the playoffs. New Orleans is coming off a dominating defensive effort in shutting out the Bucs, but their offense couldn’t do anything but settle for field goals.
There will be more points in this one, and I just think the Dolphins are the better team. Tua Tagovailoa gets Jaylen Waddle back, and Miami can exploit New Orleans’ pass-funnel defense. The Saints are going to struggle mightily on offense with Ian Book under center.
Dolphins vs. Saints Prediction:Â Dolphins 23, Saints 10
