Week 16 picks...

Alright, not such a great Week 15, going just 8-7.  We'll see if I can rebound:

Friday
San Diego 28, TENNESSEE 24
--Two of the hottest teams in football, but San Diego is probably the hottest.

Sunday

ATLANTA 20, Buffalo 10
--Both of these teams are out of the playoff chase, but Buffalo's offense struggles so much. I think this game being in Atlanta on the turf favors the Falcons.

CINCINNATI 30, Kansas City 17
--Bengals are a better team, at home and need the win.  I also think they will be inspired in their first home game following Chris Henry's death.

CLEVELAND 20, Oakland 17
--Both teams have played well this month despite the games not mattering.  Both will have backup QBs starting, but the game in Cleveland with the positive mojo there may make the difference.  Charlie Frye coming back home may put too much pressure on himself.

GREEN BAY 34, Seattle 17
--Seattle was embarassed at home and won't be able to rally in the cold of Wisconsin against a good offense in GB and turnover-causing defense.  The Packers need this too after blowing the game at Pittsburgh last week.

PITTSBURGH 22, Baltimore 19
--A tough call here.  Both teams know each other so well, but neither defense is what people are used to seeing.  My initial reaction was to go with Baltimore, I can't get past the Steelers passing for over 500 yards last week against a good Packers defense.

Houston 28, MIAMI 24
--The Dolphins are playing some good football and Chad Henne has impressed.  I like Houston's firepower in this game.

NY GIANTS 38, Carolina 10
--It may be too little too late for the Giants, but I think their pass rush will get to the young Panthers QB and force him into mistakes.  Once they get behind to a team like the Giants on the road, it could get ugly.


NEW ENGLAND 23, Jacksonville 14
--Just an ugly football game, but it being in the cold of New England and the veterans they have there, I don't see the Jags getting it done.

NEW ORLEANS 38, Tampa Bay 17
--Brees & Co. will come out aggressive to work out the kinks from the last few weeks and attack TB at the Superdome.  Tampa is slowly getting better, but not this good this fast.

ARIZONA 30, St. Louis 16
--St. Louis is heading for the #1 pick in the draft and the Cardinals need this game at it is in Arizona...

SAN FRANCISCO 20, Detroit 17
--I think they Lions hang in there, as they haven't showed quit all year.  Something about the 49ers offense doesn't make me think they'll run away with it.  I wouldn't be shocked with an upset here.

PHILADELPHIA 31, Denver 27
--The return of Eagles' legend Brian Dawkins is getting a lot of play in Philly, but the Eagles offense is rolling and I think Denver makes one too many mistakes to keep up with them on the road.

INDIANAPOLIS 17, NY Jets 13
--This game all depends on what the Colts do with Manning and their other key starters.  The Jets will be fired up after last week's heartbreak, but they have been fired up at other points this year too and didn't get it done then either.

Dallas 33, WASHINGTON 13
--Washington and Jim Zorn have cashed it in for the season and the Cowboys will come into this game with a lot on the line and a ton of confidence.

Monday

Minnesota 24, CHICAGO 10
--The Bears are a mess and Minnesota will be trying to make sure they execute a gameplan similar to earlier this season when they were so efffective.  The Bears effort last week vs. Baltimore was a joke.