NFL Week 16 Predictions: Atlanta Falcons and More Road Underdogs to Count On

It's a bittersweet time for NFL fans.

While it's exciting to watch so many meaningful games, it also signals the end of the regular season is near. with so many teams battling for playoff positioning, nearly every Week 16 game holds some sort of significance.

Here are three road underdogs that will put up a bigger fight than the oddsmakers are expecting.

Atlanta Falcons (+7)

The Falcons will be looking to exact some revenge after the New Orleans Saints beat them last month inside the Georgia Dome. That's the game Atlanta head coach Mike Smith went for it on fourth down in his own territory, leading to a Saints game-winning field goal.

These two teams are pretty evenly matched, especially now that the Falcons offense is starting to find its groove. Four of the last five games between the division rivals have been decided by three points, which makes Monday night's seven-point spread seem a little large.

Since the game means so much to both teams, expect another hard-fought battle that isn't decided until the final minutes—likely by a field goal, as usual.

Arizona Cardinals (+4)

Arizona's recent surge hasn't received much recognition because the team remains a playoff long shot, but the Cardinals have won four straight and six of their last seven. It's a run mostly due to a defense that's stepped up to make some big stops in key moments.

It's no fluke, either. They have knocked off the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys during the streak. That makes them a dangerous opponent for the Cincinnati Bengals, who don't have a marquee win despite an 8-6 record.

Don't be surprised to see the Cardinals emerge victorious on Saturday, and if they do come up short, it shouldn't be by more than a field goal.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+7.5)

The Jaguars have shown momentarily glimpses of being a solid team, most notably in their win over the Baltimore Ravens. Figuring out a way to have those performances on a more consistent basis will be the biggest task of the offseason as they usher in a new owner.

This week they travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans, who Jacksonville beat in Week 1. The Titans are a team in some turmoil right now at the quarterback position. Mike Munchak continues to stick with veteran Matt Hasselbeck despite rookie Jake Locker's strong play.

Quarterback controversies rarely work out well, so look for the Jaguars to take advantage of the indecision and keep this division clash close.