Prime Picks In The NFL:Week 16,It's The Final Countdown!

Some teams in the NFL are launching themselves into the playoffs, while others are stuck on the ground. Let's see who blasting into the postseason, and who's afterburners failed to ignite.

Indianapolis visits Jacksonville , now at 10-4. They will win this game , and will lock up a wild card in the AFC with this win. Jacksonville will drop to 5-10 in a disappointing season.

San Francisco visits St. Louis, at 5-9 for the season. They beat the Rams convincingly last time. Look for more of the same. The Rams are a sorry 2-12 team this season.

The Steelers travel to Tennessee, who lost last week to Houston 13-12. That's just not a good sign for Jeff Fisher and his Titans. The Steelers make the Titans more miserable this week.Take Pittsburgh on the road to win. Albert Hayneswoth is also out with a knee injury for the Titans, That really tough on that defense.

Cleveland is at home against Cinncinnati this week in a who cares kind of game. Take the Bengals , who might actually win 2 in a row, after beating the Redskins last week to play spoiler.

New Orleans will travel into Detroit and not lose, just because they do not want to be the only team the Lions beat! Drew Brees needs a big game to try for Dan Marino's season passing record. All guns will be blazing.

The division tied Miami Dolphins travel to Kansas City. All the confidence is gone for the Chiefs now, after last weeks give up the game in the end, type effort. Look for Miami to win again and make it to 10-5.  10-5? huh?  Wow! Tony Sporano, Coach of the Year!

New England is at home against the Arizona Cardinals who seem to be hibernating until the playoffs start. The cold in New England will certainly help them sleepwalk through another week as New England goes to10-5 and stays with the Dolphins.

Tampa Bay is at home against San Diego in perhaps the most intriguing game this week. Both teams have to win to have a chance for post-season play. This is tough to pick, but take Tampa at home , as the NFC South at home is almost unbeatable this season.

Denver is at home against Buffalo, and does not have to win ,if Tampa Bay beats the Chargers! Denver will win anyway and lock up the AFC West for this season.

Houston will beat Oakland at home.Houston could finish 9-7 this season, which is a great effort after a horrendous start this year. This team should improve next season.

The Jets will also win again this week in Seattle, after a very close call last week. All in that division will be at 10-5 going into the final week. Jets play the Dolphins in Miami for the division. Did i just say that? I will probably take the Jets, although i have no clue how they will stop the Dolphins running game. The Dolphins and Chad Pennington will want this game, ever so much!!!

Philadelphia is at home against Washington. Philadelphia's defense will win this game and keep their playoff hopes alive until the last week of the season, when they play the Cowboys.

Atlanta travels to Minnesota who has a firm grip on their division. I don t think they will lose this home game. The Vikings will win and perhaps lock up a playoff spot in the process.

The Giants are at home against Carolina. Take the Giants only because they are at home. Carolina loses a bit,being on the road, and Tom Coughlin teams tend to play the entire season without a letdown. That's how they got to the Super Bowl last season. Expect no changes in routine.

Green Bay travels into Chicago having missed the playoffs, but ruins Chicago's chances at a miracle division title. The pride of the Packers is all that's left in this one. They won the last encounter 38-3. I don't see Chicago winning this game. It's the same two teams.

Finally, Dallas is at home against a vey tough defensive minded Raven team. Take the Cowboys at home to keep their playoff hopes alive .Dallas really played the Giants tough last week.

NFC playoff teams should be as follows:

Arizona, Minnesota,Giants,Carolina,  Wild Cards,  Tampa Bay and the last spot is held by Dallas and Atlanta.

AFC playoff teams will be most likely:

Tennessee, Pittsburgh,Denver, Jets,  wild cards, Indianapolis, and the last spot going to probably  Baltimore. New England  has a chance of finishing 11-5 for  a wild card also! If Baltimore loses to the Cowboys next week, it swings the door open for New England or Miami. I think Miami has the tie-breaker over New England.

Good luck to all your teams as this great season winds down. This season so far i am at

145-80-1   9-7 this week . A tough week for the experts i am sure.

Thomas[ NFLMikee ]Moreland