Week 16 NFL Picks: Picks for All 15 Games

So many playoff implications on the line, Week 16 of the 2011 NFL season has a lot of marquee games—Philadelphia at Dallas, Giants at Jets, San Francisco at Seattle and Atlanta at New Orleans, just to mention a few.

That being said, who heads into Week 17 with a victory? Well, here are picks for each game in this big weekend of pro football.

OAK-KC, JAX-TEN, MIA-NE

Raiders at Chiefs

With two AFC West games each remaining, both the Raiders and Chiefs are still alive to win the division. Depending on what happens with Denver in Buffalo, the winner of this game could take control of their own destiny.

So for their game, we have two great rushing attacks duking it out. On the flip side, the Chiefs No. 9-ranked pass defense matches up well with Oakland's No. 12-ranked pass offense. The difference here is who can stop the ground game first.

Both have struggled against the run, however, the Raiders have also been vulnerable against the pass all season (allow 243.8 pass yards per game). With Kyle Orton under center and having already played Oakland once, that gives KC a major edge, as Orton is coming off the Chiefs' upset over Green Bay last week.

Chiefs over Raiders

Jaguars at Titans

In Week 1, the Jaguars upset the Titans at home with RB Maurice Jones-Drew controlling the game. He's the only man Jacksonville has and leads the NFL in rushing (1,334 yards). As for the Titans, they've lacked consistency all season.

Whether on the ground or through the air, Tennessee has yet to find a rhythm offensively. Its defense allows almost 130 rush yards per game, so expect Jones-Drew to have a big game.

Jacksonville's defense ranks No. 4 against the pass (allows 197 yards per game) and No. 14 against the run (allows 110 yards per game). So, because of the Titans' inability to find a rhythm, the Jaguars need not worry about their own passing game suffering (ranked dead last, it averages 137.2 yards per game).

Jaguars over Titans

Dolphins at Patriots

Their Week 1 shootout saw a total of more than 900 passing yards happen in Miami, and Chad Henne and Tom Brady basically exchanged TDs.

This time around, however, Miami has been playing much better with Matt Moore under center, and RB Reggie Bush has emerged on the ground (406 rush yards in previous three games).

To that end, the Dolphins keeping the Patriots offense off the field is key. The problem, though, is that the Dolphins are ranked just No. 24 in pass offense, so coach Bill Belichick's weak pass defense (ranked No. 32 and allow just under 300 per game) has a good matchup.

Expect Tom Brady to have another field day and shred Miami's pass defense that allows almost 250 yards per game. Despite being in New England, another shootout happens between the Dolphins and Patriots.

Patriots over Dolphins

ARZ-CIN, DEN-BUF, STL-PIT

Cardinals at Bengals

The Arizona Cardinals are surging in having won six of their last seven while the Cincinnati Bengals are just 2-4 in their last six games. Neither teams have an explosive offense, but each does have a stud WR (Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona and AJ Green in Cincinnati).

Now, the Bengals are definitely the better defensive team, however, in the second half of the season, the Cardinals have allowed just 17.4 points per game since Week 9 and have wins over Dallas and San Francisco.

This game will come down to who can win the field position battle. The Cardinals average slightly more on kickoff and punt returns, while rookie Patrick Peterson has taken the NFL by storm when back deep (four punt return TDs).

Cardinals over Bengals

Broncos at Bills

Denver's Week 16 game at Buffalo is concerning because of the weather. We know they can't throw the ball consistently, and playing against a Bills defense that knows how to intercept passes, the weather will only make throwing the ball more challenging.

In turn, that make the Broncos extremely one-dimensional, and although the Bills allow almost 140 rush yards per game, they will stack the box and force Denver to throw.

As for the Broncos defense, they're more vulnerable against the pass, and when Buffalo gets hot it can be quite effective. Here, the Denver pass rush is the most important key with Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil. The more pressure they get, the better odds of Denver avoiding the upset.

Broncos over Bills

Rams at Steelers

Likely to be the blowout of Week 16, the St. Louis Rams visit The Steel City with arguably the NFL's worst offense. On the contrary, Pittsburgh has one of the league's best defenses, as it does every year.

In addition, the Rams defense allows a total of almost 360 yards per game. And although their pass defense ranks No. 8 in allowing just 206 pass yards per game, it's only because they allow more than 150 rushing yards per game.

So, expect the Steelers to run the ball early and often while taking shots down field to WR Mike Wallace on occasion. The Steel Curtain dominates while the offense effectively puts up points throughout the contest.

Steelers over Rams

NYG-NYJ, MIN-WAS, TB-CAR

Giants at Jets

Arguably the biggest game of the week, the Giants and Jets face off in a playoff atmosphere in The Big Apple. Here, we see the Giants No. 3-ranked passing offense (averages just under 300 yards per game) against the Jets No. 7-ranked pass defense (allows 205 yards per game).

Elsewhere, neither team is too impressive. Big Blue lacks a rush offense, and Gang Green is most vulnerable in the trenches on both sides. The Jets passing game can save them, however, as Mark Sanchez knows how to manage games with some solid receiving targets.

The Giants pass defense allows almost 260 yards per game and in addition 127 on the ground. As long as the Jets can run the clock while not turning the ball over, The Big Apple is theirs for the taking.

Jets over Giants

Vikings at Redskins

The biggest difference between Washington and Minnesota is their collective numbers. Minnesota has a top-five rush offense and a top-10 rush defense, however, it has one of the worst pass offenses and pass defenses.

Washington, on the other hand, doesn't do anything too well or anything awful. QB Rex Grossman has played well as of late, and the defense stepped up big against the Giants. Against Minnesota, Washington must stack the box to slow the Vikings ground game.

Then, the Redskins must let Grossman dish the rock because there's no sense of fighting fire with fire. The Redskins rank just No. 29 in rush offense, so moving the ball on the ground won't happen against the Vikings. 

The question then becomes, who do you trust more: Grossman against the Vikings defense or Adrian Peterson against the Redskins defense?

Vikings over Redskins

Buccaneers at Panthers

If there's one team to watch out for in 2012 it's the Carolina Panthers. Winners of three of their last four and owning a top-10 offense, the Panthers should easily beat Tampa Bay.

The Bucs began 4-2 but have dropped eight consecutive and have one of the NFL's worst defenses (No. 26 against the pass and No. 30 against the rush). Therefore, don't expect anything less than dominance from Carolina's offense.

Let's put it this way, if the Panthers could move the ball well against the Houston Texans, they'll slice up the Bucs again like in Week 13. Defensively, all Carolina has to do is tackle—period.

RB LeGarrette Blount is a great runner who can break tackles, so as long as the Panthers limit his odds of taking over the game, Carolina notches up another W.

Panthers over Buccaneers

CLE-BAL, SD-DET, PHI-DAL

Browns at Ravens

Much like it was in round one, the Baltimore Ravens will run the ball all over the Cleveland Browns with RB Ray Rice. In their Week 13 game, Rice compiled more than 200 rushing yards, and Baltimore won 24-10.

This time around it will be much of the same, except the Ravens play much better at home than on the road. Their top-five defense will blank the Browns offense thanks to blitzing, Ed Reed and press coverage.

Don't anticipate Baltimore throwing the ball too often—unless it's a screen to Rice—because Cleveland does have a respectable pass defense. Ray Rice is the Ravens' best option offensively, and he needs to be used for 60 minutes.

Ravens over Browns

Chargers at Lions

One of the bigger games this week, San Diego is rolling after having won three straight, and the Lions saved their season with a comeback victory over the Raiders in Oakland.

As for this game, both have potent pass offenses, however, neither defense has been able to consistently stop the run all season. Counterintuitive to that, neither team has had much success in running the ball offensively either.

So, the chess match becomes who can maintain balance against a vulnerable defense? Well, the difference lies with consistency. The Lions have played at a higher level all season and have a guy that San Diego won't be able to cover in WR Calvin Johnson.

Vincent Jackson is solid too, but he's been hit-or-miss all year, which played a part in Philip Rivers' inconsistency this season.

Lions over Chargers

Eagles at Cowboys

Another big game this week and surely one that Dallas has been anxiously waiting for. Back in Week 8 the Cowboys were blasted 34-7 by the Eagles, who have gotten themselves back in the NFC East title race.

Dallas has a solid rush defense and pass offense, whereas the Eagles have one of the best rush offenses and pass defenses around.

Only problem for Dallas, though, is that Mike Vick and the Eagles have caught fire the past two weeks while the Cowboys just beat Tampa Bay. So, in terms of momentum and confidence, the Eagles have the slight edge.

If the Cowboys can get added pressure on Vick, besides DeMarcus Ware, Dallas has a chance. Otherwise Vick and LeSean McCoy will tear apart Big D's front seven between the tackles and on the edges. Thus setting up the passing game, which is Dallas' major weakness on defense.

Eagles over Cowboys

SF-SEA, CHI-GB, ATL-NO

49ers at Seahawks

It's a battle of two great RBs in Frank Gore of San Francisco and Marshawn Lynch of Seattle. Aside from them, the 49ers may not have the most explosive pass offense, but QB Alex Smith has proven to be extremely effective all season.

As for Seattle, Tarvaris Jackson has improved, but he's relied more on Lynch than Smith has relied on Gore. Also, the 49ers have the NFL's No. 1-ranked rush defense. So, although he's a beast, don't expect Lynch to bowl over every defender that gets in his way.

Additionally, return specialist Ted Ginn will be a major factor. In their Week 1 game, he returned a kickoff and then a punt back for a TD in consecutive attempts. At least in terms of field position, San Francisco has already won.

49ers over Seahawks

Bears at Packers

Unfortunately for the Bears, they've been hit by the injury plague. And even though the Packers have some injuries also, it's nothing like Chicago's injury problems.

That said, even when healthy, Chicago's passing game was not all that dangerous, and its defense has struggled against the pass all season (rank No. 27). Green Bay, as we know, has one of the NFL's best passing attacks combined with a susceptible defense.

Well, the Packers may be that, but they also lead the NFL with 27 interceptions. Now include the pass rush presence led by Clay Matthews, and the Bears, with their injuries, have too much to overcome.

Devin Hester may be one of the best returners in the game, but that advantage is also limited because of Green Bay's Randall Cobb, who has just as much potential to break a game open.

Packers over Bears

Falcons at Saints

Had it not been for a gutsy play call in OT at home, the Atlanta Falcons may be 10-4 instead of 9-5 and tied with the New Orleans Saints atop the NFC South.

Well, that's not the case, and now Atlanta needs a win in The Big Easy if it wants to win the division. Between these two teams, expect a close game, regardless of location.

Both rely on a solid passing game, however, both can also run the ball virtually at will. Therefore, the game will come down to which defense steps up. Ironically, though, both are vulnerable to defending the pass as that is the biggest weakness.

The major difference lies with the Falcons' ability to stop the run (ranked No. 4 to the Saints No. 13 against the run). They're also basically even when it comes to special teams.

Now in being that they're so evenly matched, the intangible difference comes in the form of the Superdome. New Orleans rarely loses at home and the Dirty Birds have just one win in the Superdome since 2002 (27-24 in 2010).

Saints over Falcons

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