NFL Week 16 Predictions: Picks for Matchups with Biggest Playoff Implications

Who will it be in the NFL’s Week 16? Which teams have it in them to justify predicting them to come out on top of their biggest game of the season?

There are no more chances for some of these teams. A loss means regrouping and preparing for an offseason workout program and some time with the family.

A win and suddenly the playoffs are back in view through the dashboard instead of through the rear-view.

That’s what it all boils down to and these three Week 16 matchups exemplify the urgency of this vital juncture in the season.

Take a look at some analysis and picks for these crucial games.

 

New York Giants (8-6) at Baltimore Ravens (9-5)

The Giants will go into M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to take on the no-longer invincible Ravens at home in a huge Week 16 matchup. It’s so huge that the defending champions are in a must-win situation to even have a chance at the postseason.

No matter what Dallas or Washington do, their fates are linked in their Week 17 season finale. That means all the Giants have to do is keep winning and hope Minnesota and Seattle lose. The Vikings have Houston and Green Bay on their plate and the Seahawks have the San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams left.

The Giants need Seattle to lose both of its remaining games or the Vikings to lose once and they are in the playoffs, as long as they win out.

New York should be heavily motivated this week, as well. A 34-0 blowout loss in Week 15 is something Eli Manning and company would likely to blank from their memories with a big bounce-back performance against the struggling Ravens this week.

The Ravens have been weak against the pass this season and Manning should be ready to air it out with his team’s season on the line.

Prediction: Giants 34, Ravens 24

Minnesota Vikings (8-6) at Houston Texans (12-2)

The Minnesota Vikings have played well against teams that play a similar style of football as they do. With their playoff chances hanging in the balance, the last thing the Vikings wanted to do was finish their season against the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers.

Houston has already clinched its division title and needs just one win to secure home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Giving starters an added week off is desirable for some head coaches, so playing to win in Week 16 makes sense for the Texans. That way they can rest up against the Indianapolis Colts in the season finale.

Matchup wise, these two teams will both attempt to pound the football. The biggest difference, though, is that Matt Schaub has proven to be a big-play quarterback when the Texans have needed him to be.

Christian Ponder has not.

Adrian Peterson has carried this team as far as it is going to go this season.

Prediction: Texans 31, Vikings 17

 

Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)

There are no tricky scenarios at play here. Unlike the NFC’s playoff picture, the AFC is pretty cut and dry. Win and you’re basically in for the Bengals . If the Steelers win, they would have to withstand a Week 17 visit from the Cleveland Browns in order to clinch their playoff berth.

That brings us to the actual matchup. Pittsburgh edged the Bengals in Week 17 by a final 24-17 margin. It wasn’t a dominant performance, but it was enough to put the Steelers over the top.

With the injuries mounting to Pittsburgh’s secondary, this time around will be much more challenging than the last. Its defense held Andy Dalton to just 100 yards passing. Star wide receiver A.J. Green was held to just one reception for eight yards (albeit a touchdown).

The Steelers matched up well with the Bengals upfront and ran the ball for 167 yards to help set up a potent passing game that kept the Bengals at bay. That offense should be able to get rolling with Ben Roethlisberger at its helm.

Big plays step up in big games and they don’t get much bigger than Week 16 in Pittsburgh this season.

Prediction: Steelers 23, Bengals 21

Follow @BigHoagowski