NFL Week 16 Predictions: Super Bowl Preview (?) Edition

~ Scott

The NFL is gifting us with a rare non-conference matchup between No. 1 seeds to close Week 16. I had a feeling early this season that Ravens-49ers could be the Super Bowl rematch we actually get this year instead of Eagles-Chiefs or 49ers-Chiefs, but we’ll see how this goes Monday night as the 49ers just look unstoppable right now.

This Week’s Articles

Which Coaches Join Brandon Staley in Unemployment, and Who Would Be Logical Replacements for the 2024 Openings? – I looked at 8 possible head coaching vacancies, what the teams should look for in their next hire, and who that hire could be.

NFL Week 16 Predictions

I had the Rams prevailing on Thursday night, but for the second week in a row, they didn’t make a 3-score lead look super safe in the 4th quarter.

After last week in Indy, I just can’t bring myself to pick the Steelers anymore this season. We’ll see what happens and Cincinnati is a defense they have moved the ball well against lately, but the confidence at this team feels like an all-time low in the Mike Tomlin era.

I’ll be surprised if Bills don’t crush the Chargers.

I’m taking the Colts as a road underdog in Atlanta. I think Arthur Smith is in panic mode with the Taylor Heinicke start, and the Colts should have better weapons available this week.

I don’t trust the Green Bay defense, so I’m high on Bryce Young doing things he hasn’t done in over a month like throw a touchdown pass and maybe even 200 yards. Could be an upset watch but I’m hedging with the ATS/ML picks.

No real feel on Browns-Texans other than DeMeco Ryans shows his defense works and they make the Browns pay for these turnovers in a way their last two opponents didn’t.

Speaking of turnovers, I don’t trust Nick Mullens to play a clean game, and I like Detroit’s offense to power through for the division clinching win.

Already linked above to my upset pick of Washington against the Jets.

Gut pick is Tennessee rebounds from last week and beats the Seahawks at home after their emotional comeback win on Monday night against Philly. I just like Vrabel as a home underdog and if Ryan Tannehill has to start for Will Levis, that reinforces my pick.

I actually had 300 words written on Thursday night for why the Jaguars are going to end their losing skid against the Bucs, then I read that Trevor Lawrence is trending to not playing and I just removed it from the picks. But now it sounds like he’s only questionable, so he probably should play. Just my gut says Jags win to end the slide as home-field hasn’t been beneficial to either of these teams this year, and turnover regression might sting the Bucs.

No real opinion on Cardinals-Bears either way. Two lousy teams and Cardinals might just tank for draft reasons.

Someone should get a big win in Cowboys-Dolphins. While I like Dallas doing much more on offense this week, I’ll go with that Miami offense dropping a big number at home and getting the win. I’d pick Dallas if the game was in Dallas.

Spread keeps going up on SNF and I can’t trust Russell Wilson to win a game comfortably in prime time. I don’t even want to watch this one.

On Monday, I think the Super Bowl teams from last year cover with no problem at home against rookie quarterbacks. As for the big game, I think the 49ers are playing incredibly well, have no real flaws, and the Ravens are down some important weapons like Mark Andrews (reliable target, red zone target) and Keaton Mitchell (explosive plays). The 49ers have too many weapons to choose from, and the defense is still great and can make Lamar Jackson struggle in this one. I hope it’s a great game, but I have my doubts about that. I think the 49ers can win a 27-16 type of game.

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Published by Scott

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