NFL Picks Week 16: Predicting Winners for Every Key Game

Week 16 of the 2011 NFL season has got everything I need for a perfect holiday weekend. 

The Big Apple Bowl between the New York Giants and New York Jets on Christmas Eve. 

An NFC East battle between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles that's typically oozing with drama. 

How about an Atlanta Falcons-New Orleans Saints NFC South game that has "shootout" written all over it on Monday night? 

Let's see how these critical games will shake out. 

New York Giants vs. New York Jets

Both NYC clubs are coming off humiliating losses in Week 15, and both are clinging to playoff hopes. 

Something's got to give, right? 

The pressure will be at an all-time high, with the media ready to unleash on the loser of this matchup. 

Honestly, I don't get either of these teams. They have so much talent on both sides of the ball that allows them to look like Super Bowl contenders. 

But right when we're ready to label them with that distinction, their quarterbacks, who can deliver in the clutch yet make a multitude of ill-advised decisions, let everyone down. 

Same goes for the defenses, too. 

A little overhyped? 

I think so. 

The Giants have Ahmad Bradshaw back, which certainly gives a boost to the overall balance on offense, and I don't expect Eli Manning to have back-to-back lackluster performances.

The Jets don't have the explosiveness on offense, and who knows what kind of game we'll get from Shonn Greene.  

It's not that I don't trust Mark Sanchez, but I simply trust Manning more and think he makes the big play late to lead the Giants to a narrow victory. 

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

I don't know what it is, but the Cowboys simply do not match up well with Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy and the rest of the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Sometimes, the reason a team beats another is that simple.

We saw what they did to Dallas earlier in the season.

Total domination.  

Their spread system that creates gaping holes for McCoy on draws is the perfect counter to Dallas' assailing pass rush, and the speed in the receiving corp creates matchup problems throughout the Cowboys secondary. 

With a healthy Vick behind center, there is clearly the threat for him to run, which is always in the back of every defender's mind. 

If the Eagles get McCoy the ball more than 20 times, they'll win this game. 

Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense is certainly no slouch, either, but Philadelphia has the cover men to battle with the likes of Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Laurent Robinson all game. 

Felix Jones could be the X-factor. If he can break a few long runs to keep the Eagles honest, it'll be a tight one. 

In the end, the Eagles do major damage to the Cowboys' playoff hopes with a close victory in BIg D. 

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints

Although this game won't necessarily make or break either of these team's seasons, it definitely carries playoff importance. 

The Falcons are hanging on to one of the wild-card spots, and the Saints are still battling for that No. 2 seed in the NFC. 

I absolutely love watching the incredibly energized Drew Brees and Co. inside the Superdome. There's not a more explosive offense at home than this Saints crew. 

Matt Ryan's attack isn't necessarily pedestrian, either. 

Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez are reliable receiving targets who are both fantastic in the red zone, and Julio Jones is starting to come on a legitimate big-play threat. 

Don't forget about bulldozer Michael Turner, either. 

These teams always play each other close, but I can't bet against the New Orleans at home. 

Saints by three in a shootout. 

San Diego Chargers at Detroit Lions

Another game that has the potential to be high scoring. 

Each offense enters the game on a tear, with the Chargers looking to continue their perennial December surge at the AFC West crown. 

Both teams can be extremely electric through the air and have defenses that can flash signs of brilliance, but rarely shut anyone down. 

Although the Chargers are hot, I like the Lions at home mainly because of Calvin Johnson and their ability to make halftime adjustments.

Also, Detroit should be able to pressure Philip Rivers, forcing him into some hurried decisions.  

Another game that should go down to the wire. 

Follow @christrapasso