NFL Week 16 Picks: Breaking Down the Week's Potential Upsets

The following games in Week 16 of the NFL season could feature upsets.

Let's breakdown the matchups.

San Diego Chargers (7-7) at Detroit Lions (9-5)

I'm not sure how big of "upset" this would really be, as the Chargers are coming off a shellacking of the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15.

Still, going on the road against a Lions team that can clinch a playoff spot with a win makes this a difficult task for San Diego. The Chargers need to win out to have a chance at sneaking back into playoff race.

A couple of wins and some help can amazingly get San Diego into the postseason. It has to start Sunday in Detroit.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-8) at Dallas Cowboys (8-6)

Speaking of amazing playoff runs, the Eagles still have a mathematical chance at cracking the playoff field.

They need to beat Dallas on Saturday to have a chance of their one postseason scenario playing out. The Eagles also need the Jets to beat the Giants in Week 16, then a win over the Redskins next week combined with a Giants win over Dallas.

Impossible? No, but the Eagles have to get the ball rolling with a win over the Cowboys.

Considering the Eagles have won two straight games against Dallas with Michael Vick as the starting quarterback, including a 34-7 win earlier in the year, the possibility is there.

San Francisco 49ers (11-3) at Seattle Seahawks (7-7)

The league's hottest running game meets a defense that hasn't given up a 100-yard rusher in 36 games, which makes this a fascinating matchup from the get-go.

The Seahawks have depended heavily on Marshawn Lynch down the stretch, and he's responded with five games of 100 yards rushing or more over his last seven.

You could argue that no back in the NFL is running as well as Lynch right now. Will the 49ers' vaunted run defense give up its first 100-yard rusher in three seasons? Can Lynch crack the end zone on that defense for the first time in 2011?

Those answers will go a long way in deciding if the Seahawks can pull off the upset at home.   

Atlanta Falcons (9-5) at New Orleans Saints (11-3)

If there's any team that can knock off the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, it's the Falcons.

Atlanta beat them there last year, and each of the last four games between these two teams have ended within a score. While the Saints and their passing offense is as hot as any team in the NFL right now, the Falcons are starting to hit their stride, too.

In a game that has 38-35 written all over it, the Falcons now have the offensive weapons to keep pace and win a shootout like this.