All Week 16 NFL Picks; Christmas Star Edition: Plus San Diego Chargers Talk
Well, we're coming down to the wire with just two weeks left in the 2010-2011 NFL regular season. Now is the time when teams dreams come true, or crash and burn. Fortunately, with the current level of parody in the NFL, there are still many teams cling on to at least a glimmer of hope to make the post season.
Some teams have their destiny in their own hands, like the Rams. Others need a little bit of help, like the Chargers. Others need an act of God, like the Raiders. Still others have locked in the post season and are just playing for home field advantage, like the Patriots.
As for the Chargers, with the exception of their blowout win against the 49ers on Thursday night, the week didn't turn out like they wanted. They were hoping for the Chiefs, Jets, and Ravens to lose. They at least wanted one or two of them to take a dive. Turned out that all three teams won, limiting their realistic hope for post season to be set on Kansas City.
Yes, if the Chargers beat the Bengals, and Broncos (both on the road), and the Chiefs lose to either the Titans or the Raiders (both at home), The Bolts get another shot at erasing their reputations as post season chokers. If the Chiefs do not cooperate, they will be in and the Chargers new reputation will be that of regular season chokers.
Let's take a look at this week's games!
Last week: 9-7
Season Total: 139 - 85
By the way, this week, I'll do my best to make all of my pics Christmas related. If I can't come up with a Christmas pic, I'll go with a star player. Merry Christmas!
Carolina Panthers @ Pittsburgh Steelers
1 of 16
Let me get this straight. 2-12 Carolina is going to 10 - 4 Pittsburgh to play the Steelers the week after the Steelers lost a very frustrating game to the Jets? This is a prime time, Thursday night game that will not go up against any other competition (sorry San Diego St. and Navy). This is bad news for the Panthers.
I am proud to say that both times the Panthers won this year, I picked them. I don't even think too many Panthers fans can say that!
This week, however, I see a very good Pittsburgh team, trying to prove to themselves, their fans, and the rest of the NFL that last week was a fluke.
On the bright side for the Panthers, the Steelers have locked up their playoff spot and will not catch New England at the top of the AFC. They may rest some players throughout the game. That really should not matter.
Panthers 13 Steelers 28
Dallas Cowboys @ Arizona Cardinals
2 of 16
Sorry Cowboy fans, your boys will continue to move down the draft board after this week's game against the lowly Cardinals. The Cowboys have been playing pretty good football since their coaching switch, which means they should beat any team that is less than good. Enter the Cardinals. They define "less than good."
Cowboys 28 Cardinals 12
New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills
3 of 16
I came very close to picking the Bills in this one. The Bills are at home. The Patriots have clinched their spot in the playoffs and most likely home field advantage throughout the playoffs. With those things in mind, I could actually see Buffalo winning this week.
What keeps me from picking against the Brady Bunch is that they do still need one more win to clinch home field advantage. That means they need to try one more time before resting their starters and preparing for the playoffs. That is bad for the Bills.
Patriots 30 Bills 20
New York Jets @ Chicago Bears
4 of 16
The Bears seem to be coming around. Their defense has been pretty strong all year. Now, my least favorite quarterback is starting to come through in the red zone and not act like the Chokler I always took him for.
The Jets, on the other hand, could be a bit down this week after their huge win last week in Pittsburgh. Also, there are more distractions in Jets camp to worry about this week. Sanchez has a sore throwing shoulder and Rex Ryan seems to be pussy footing around when asked about a foot fetish video that he and his wife, or someone who looks a lot like her, allegedly produced. Seems like Ryan always has other things to worry about than preparing for games.
Jets 17 Bears 23
Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns
5 of 16
Cleveland has had a nice year....for the Browns.
The Ravens are a very good football team.
The Browns are coming off of a loss to the Bengals who had just lost 10 straight.
The Ravens are a very good football team.
Ravens 28 Browns 13
San Francisco 49ers @ St. Louis Rams
6 of 16
Even though both teams are under .500, it is nice to see a game with the Rams and the Niners, in week 16, that actually means a lot to both teams!
Desperation time for both teams as they need to win out to make the playoffs.
I would have given the Niners a chance this week, especially after having extra preparations time, but I saw the look in Mike Singletary's eyes after their loss to the Bolts. That was a beaten man. The team will see that too.
Niners 17 Rams 28
Detroit Lions @ Miami Dolphins
7 of 16
The Lions are not good on the road. The Dolphins are horrible at home! The Lions did manage to go to Florida and beat a pretty good Bucs team last week. The Dolphins were upset by Buffalo at home.
The Lions, if they mentally show up, have nothing to lose and get a chance to play spoiler.
Lions 24 Dolphins 21
Washington Redskins @ Jacksonville Jaguars
8 of 16
Even with Jacksonville coming off of a disappointing loss to the Colts, I can't imagine them losing to the leaderless Redskins.
The Skims competed better than expected last week, but they have far too many distractions and no real reason to play.
Redskins 12 Jaguars 35
Tennessee Titans @ Kansas City Chiefs
9 of 16
I'll admit it, here is where my bias shows up. The Titans are going to Kansas City, with nothing play for other than pride and perhaps a spot on next year's roster. The Chiefs are undefeated at home and control their destiny if they win out.
The Titans have a nice run game and a decent passing game.
The Chiefs have an awesome running game and an adequate passing game.
All things point to the Chiefs winning this game. BUT.....Let's not forget that I am a diehard Chargers fan. This is my blog and I can pick who I want, even if I doubt they will win.
So, here is how I will get this one done for the Titans (and Chargers):
Dear Santa,
Like you, I am a Chargers fan. Perhaps you have been too busy to notice, but the Chargers need to win two more games and have the Chiefs lose one, in order to make the playoffs. So, for Christmas, will you please give me a Chiefs loss and a Chargers win this week?
I have been good and my guess is that the Chiefs have been naughty.
Thanks Santa!
Titans 28 Chiefs 24
Inanapolis Colts @ Oakland Raiders
10 of 16
Look for the Raiders to play all out in this game, as they are clinging to their slim hopes of making the playoffs.
The Colts need to win too, but I'm actually not sure if they can handle the physical play of the Raiders on both sides of the ball. Let's face it, the Chargers beat up the Colts and the Raiders beat up the Chargers. I know this is football, not math, but it seems to me that if the Raiders have not given up, they should be able to keep Manning off the field and fun the ball all day against the smaller Colts defense.
Then again, never give up on Peyton Manning.
Colts 24 Raiders 27
Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos
11 of 16
The Texans aren't that good, but the Broncos are done. My guess is that the Broncos players are busy all week planning their vacations. The Texans don't have much to play for either, with the possible exception of their coaches job. Interestingly enough, their coach may coach the Broncos next year.
Texans 28 Broncos 17
San Diego Chargers @ Cincinnatti Bengals
12 of 16
In the early days of this week, I grew more and more worried about the Chargers chances to win this game. After all, they may relax against the Bengals. The Chargers have been known to look past teams before.
The weather could also be an issue as it will be very cold and possibly snowing and windy. These are not good conditions to throw the ball.
The Bengals are coming off of a win and may not have hung it up for the year.
Then, the days past by and my confidence started to grow.
First, T.O. is out for the year. That leaves his partner in tomfoolery, Chad Ochocinco, the only scary receiver on the field dressed in black and orange. However, Ochocinco is hurt and may not play. Also, his coach called him out this week and he feels sad and angry about being thrown under the bus.
The Chargers can run some this year. As sad as it was to see Tomlinson go, the Chargers running attack is better than it's been for a few years. Mike Tolbert should be just fine in the snow, as well as rookie Ryan Matthews. Sproles may struggle if the field is slippery, but the other two backs have the power to run through would-be tacklers.
Let's face it, if the Chargers are fortunate enough to make the playoffs, they better figure out how to play in bad weather, or it will be another quick exit.
Believe it or not, Norv Turner has done a pretty good job game planning on unusual weeks. Both long and short weeks seem to help Turner and his Bolts.
Finally, the Chargers know this is do or die. The Bengals died a long time ago.
Chargers 37 Bengals 13
Seattle Seahawks @ Tampa Bay Bucanneers
13 of 16
The Bucs may have knocked themselves out of the playoffs with their loss to Detroit last week. Then again, they still have a slim shot, so they must play like they have hope.
The Seahawks are desperate for a win in the three team race between the sub par teams in the NFC West. The problem is that Seattle plays much better at home than on the road and they have to travel across the country to face a desperate team in Tampa Bay. Look for Tampa Bay to put the Seahawks dreams to bed.
Seahawks 17 Bucs 24
New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers
14 of 16
Let's face it, the Giants beat the Eagles soundly for 3 1/2 quarters last week. The problem is that the NFL plays four quarters in every game!
Although, I see this as being a very good game and quite possibly a toss up, I think the Giants will look to avenge their embarrassing loss last week and will not let up in the closing minutes. Aaron Rodgers may make the difference for the Packers, but the Giants defense should be able to make him nervous as he recovers from his concussion.
My other issue is the Packers lack of running game. I have little doubt that the weather will be ugly and the team with the better ground attack will prevail.
Giants 20 Packers 13
Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelphia Eagles
15 of 16
Vick and the Eagles showed that they may not be God's gift to football, but they also showed they have a lot of heart when coming back against the Giants last week.
Look for an easier time for the Eagles this week against the Vikings and their quarterback by committee.
Vikings 6 Eagles 28
New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons
16 of 16
I like this game. Two exciting teams who can light up the scoreboard and play decent defense. You have the world champs against the young upstarts.
Matt Ryan does not lose at home and Michael Turner helps keep it that way.
New Orleans is coming off of a disappointing loss, but has a lot of work to do to avoid back to back losses.
Saints 28 Falcons 34
Thanks for the read and share you opinions in the comments section. Enjoy the games and have a very merry Christmas!
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