NFL Week 16 Picks: Giants and Road Dogs Worth Taking a Stab At

The stakes are reaching titanic levels and some teams simply have to win to keep their playoff chances alive.

The linesmakers haven’t factored in some of this desperation and are being blinded by the location of the game. Here are three road dogs that will not only beat the spread, but win outright:

(Spreads courtesy of Covers.com)

New York Giants +3 at New York Jets

Both teams were blown out last week and both teams are in must-win situations this week.

The big difference in this matchup is that the Jets pass offense is by far the worst unit on the field. Despite the Giants' 29th ranked pass defense, I think it can hold up against a Jets team that can barely complete a pass of over 10 yards. Mark Sanchez has regressed this season and I’m not so sure the Jets shouldn’t be looking for a QB in the offseason.

Considering the Jets were given the typical three points for being the home team, I think Eli Manning and the Giants will have plenty of fans on hand at their home stadium.

One last fun fact: The Jets haven’t beaten the Giants since 1993.

Key Trends:

Jets are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a S.U. loss.

Giants are 31-15 ATS in their last 46 road games.

Giants are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four meetings.

Prediction: Giants 24, Jets 20

Philadelphia Eagles +1 at Dallas Cowboys

The Eagles beat the Cowboys 34-7 earlier this year, and have won their last two games by a combined 42 points.

They are the most dangerous team in the league, especially now that Michael Vick appears to be as healthy as he’s been in a while. The Eagles have a better record on the road than at home and they have the best running back of 2011 in LeSean McCoy.

Only two other teams have gained more yards than the Eagles and I fully expect them to have their way against a Cowboys defense that has really struggles against good teams.

Key Trends:

Cowboys are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games following a S.U. win.

Cowboys are 0-4 ATS in their last four vs. NFC East.

Eagles are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

Eagles are 37-18 ATS in their last 55 games as a road underdog.

Prediction: Eagles 27, Cowboys 24

Oakland Raiders +1 at Kansas City Chiefs

The Raiders and Chiefs are playing an elimination game on Saturday, and I think it’s Oakland that survives. The Chiefs destroyed the Raiders 28-0 in their first meeting, but that was when Kyle Boller started and threw three INTs in the first half before Carson Palmer was thrown to the wolves and tossed three more interceptions. The Raiders had previously won the last two meetings before that.

With the prospects of elimination, expect some of the key skill players that have been injured to return for Oakland. I think they have the speed to take advantage of a sometimes overly-aggressive Chiefs defense.

Kyle Orton already lost to the Raiders once as a Bronco and had two turnovers that proved to be very costly. Expect the Raiders to pressure Orton into bad throws that will result in a short field for a Raiders offense that is getting more comfortable with each other by the week.

Key Trends:

Underdog is 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 meetings.

Road team is 20-5-1 ATS in their last 26 meetings.

Raiders are 5-0 ATS in their last five meetings in Kansas City.

Prediction: Raiders 20, Chiefs 16