NFL Week 16: Picking The Winners Of Every Game With Playoff Implications

As we enter Week 16 in the NFL, many teams have already been eliminated from the playoff picture. Some teams are looking for first round byes, some are looking to play spoiler and some teams are looking to just get into the playoffs.  This week will decide alot, an depending on what happens, could lead to some epic do or die Week 17 games.

Bills Vs. Patriots

Elsa/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots communicates with teammates during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the game 31-27

Heading into a divisional game against the Bills, the Patriots have won six straight, including several blowouts, and are looking like the best team in the league.  With a win against the Bills they would clinch the division and guarantee themselves the top seed in the AFC, and home-field advantage will be critical, especially against warm weather teams.  The Bills would love to pull of an upset, though, and they took the Steelers into overtime and were a catch away from beating them, so watch out.

The Verdict: Tom Brady keeps playing great football and the Patriots get an easy W.

Bears Vs. Jets

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears calls a defensive play as teammate Lance Briggs #55 moves into position against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated t

This is one of the premier games this weekend.  The Bears have already clinched their division, but coming off of a crushing of the Vikings they will look to get a win, which would keep them in the race for the top seed in the NFC with an Atlanta loss.  The New York Jets come into to town with Mark Sanchez playing better and making less mistakes.  They will be looking for a win to get a leg up on the wild card. This will be a showdown in the snow where running the football and defense will be the deciding factor.

The Verdict: Jay Cutler looks good again and the Bears defense comes through in a low scoring game.

Browns Vs. Ravens

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 19: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens looks for a receiver during the game against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Saints 30-24. (Photo by Larry

The Ravens are a game behind the Steelers in the division and the Steelers hold the tie braker, so they will need the Browns to play Jekyll and Hyde by losing to the Ravens and beating the Steelers.  The Browns do have a tendency to play great one week and then not show up the next, so this is entirely possible.  Peyton Hillis had a huge game earlier against the Ravens and he will need to play great for a Browns win.

The Verdict: The Ravens eek out a close one and force the Steelers to win in Week 17.

Jaguars Vs. Colts

Scott Boehm/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 19: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars dives against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Jaguars 34-24. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty I

The Jaguars had a chance to win the division last week, but they choked (like they always do) to Peyton Manning and the Colts.  A win would be vital to keeping them in a playoff picture.  The Redskins' Rex Grossman is looking to build off of a 4 TD performance and beat a playoff contending team, and it will feel like a neutral field game since there is such a lack of crowd noise.

The Verdict: The Jaguars win and force the Colts to win if they want to keep control of the AFC South.

Chiefs Vs. Titans

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 19: Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 19, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Chiefs beat the Rams 27-13. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs will look to keep a one game lead in the division or clinch it against the Titans. Matt Cassel is recovering from an appendectomy but needs to start playing like a $10.5 million/year quarterback.  The Chiefs are tops in the league in rushing, but in the playoffs better defenses will crowd the box and force Cassel to make throws against one-on-one man coverage.  The Titans don't have much to play for but will be happy with an upset.

The Verdict: The Chiefs win and raise the bar in the AFC West.

Rams Vs. 49ers

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 05: Troy Smith #1 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 5, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 34-16. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The 49ers and Rams are both contenders in the worst division in the NFL, even though most teams with a record like this would be eliminated from playoff contention.  This is practically a playoff game, and will be a huge factor in the NFC West.  Young quarterbacks Troy Smith and Sam Bradford will square off in what should be an entertaining game that goes down to the wire.

The Verdict: San Francisco wins and give themselves to win the division next week.

Bengals Vs. Chargers

Donald Miralle/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers scores a touchdown on an 11-yard pass in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Phot

The Chargers are a game behind the Chiefs and this is a must win game if they want to overcome the Chiefs for the division title.  Philip Rivers is putting up great numbers and is in the MVP conversation with guys like Tom Brady and Michael Vick.  Vincent Jackson is playing like a Pro Bowl receiver after  being out the first half of the year and he will be the key for the Chargers.  The Bengals ended an embarrassing ten game losing streak against the Browns on Sunday and winning these next two games could be vital if Marvin Lewis is to keep his job.

The Verdict: The Chargers get an easy victory and set up an interesting Week 17 for the AFC West.

Raiders Vs. Colts

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 19: Dwight Freeney #93 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a sack during the NFL game against the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

For the first time in a while, the Colts are actually having to fight to enter the playoffs.  Peyton Manning beat the Jaguars last week, so they do control their own destiny in winning the AFC South and getting at least a first round home game.  The Raiders need a win for their very slim playoff hopes to stay alive, but if the Chiefs win they are eliminated.

The Verdict: Manning has a big day and the Colts maintain their edge on the Jags while the Raiders and Tom Cable are eliminated from playoff contention.

Packers Vs. Giants

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 12: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers leaves the field at halftime after leaving the game with a concussion while playing the Detroit Lions on December 12, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/

To me, this is the most interesting game of the week.  Aaron Rodgers is returning after the Packers (with backup Matt Flynn under center) almost stunned the Patriots in Foxboro.  Now with Rodgers under center they need a win to keep their chance at a wild card alive.  The Giants are coming off of an epic collapse at the hands of the Eagles and it will be interesting to see how they respond in a tough environment at Lambeau.  

The Verdict: Matt Dodge has a comeback game but the Packers win a close one.

Buccaneers Vs. Seahawks

Larry French/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks for a receiver during the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (Photo by

This is a big game for both teams.  The Bucs are 8-6 and will have a decent shot at a playoff berth if they can pull out a win against Seattle.  The Seahawks are second in the NFC West because of conference record, which St. Louis holds the edge in.  They need a win to make sure they can take advantage if the Rams slip up.

The Verdict: The Bucs get the W and create a three-way tie atop the AFC West.

Eagles Vs. Vikings

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The Eagles just made one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history and they will need to be sure they don't come out flat against the Vikes.  The Eagles can clinch the NFC East with a win and it would give them a chance at the second seed in the NFC, and depending on other results, the first seed.  Brett Favre will just be looking to end his career on a high note, if he plays.

The Verdict: The Eagles win big and don't need to make an epic comeback.

Falcons Vs. Saints

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons pulls in this reception against Tramon Williams #38 of the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

This is the best game of Week 16, and with all the great players, I can't wait to count how many times Jon Gruden does that wierd thing with his hands and says, "Now that guy's a football player!" The Saints are two games behind the Falcons and need a win to stand a chance at winning the NFC South.  A win would also guarantee them a playoff spot.  The Falcons, on the other hand, could clinch a first round bye with a win.

The Verdict: The Falcons sweep the season series with the Saints and get home field advantage in the NFC.