Week 16 Pick-Down

Matchup	Adam's Pick	Eric's Pick
Panthers at Steelers	Steelers	Steelers
Cowboys at Cardinals	Cowboys	Cowboys
Lions at Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins
Ravens at Browns	Ravens	Ravens
Vikings at Eagles	Eagles	Eagles
Patriots at Bills	Patriots	Patriots
Seahawks at Buccaneers	Buccaneers	Buccaneers
Redskins at Jaguars	Jaguars	Redskins
Jets at Bears	Bears	Jets
Titans at Chiefs	Chiefs	Chiefs
49ers at Rams	Rams	Rams
Broncos at Texans	Texans	Texans
Colts at Raiders	Raiders	Colts
Giants at Packers	Packers	Packers
Chargers at Bengals	Chargers	Chargers
Saints at Falcons	Falcons	Falcons
	Adam	Eric
Week 15 Record	9-7	8-8
Season Standings	130-94	132-92

To see how the "Experts" stack up: http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks

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The predictions here come from Adam and correspond to his picks.

Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers still have a lot to play for even though they have clinched a playoff berth.  They are fighting for a first round bye and to win the AFC North.  So it's nice to have Carolina in town.  The Steelers are 15 point favorites, which is a huge spread, but sounds just about right.

Prediction: Steelers 26 – Panthers 7

Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals

Both teams have bad records, but in the NFL you can be a decent team who has had bad luck and injuries (Dallas) or you can be just plain bad (Arizona).

Prediction: Cowboys 27 – Cardinals 10

Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins

Break up Detroit, they've won one road game in a row!  They have a shot to make it two against the hapless at home Dolphins, but I just don't quite see that happening.

Prediction: Dolphins 22 – Lions 19

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns

The Ravens got a huge win against the Saints last week, and here they try to steal the AFC North and a first round bye from Pittsburgh.  I like the way Cleveland competes, but Baltimore is too talented and too motivated right now.

Prediction: Ravens 23 – Browns 16

Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles

I'm not sure if Brett Favre will play.  If he does, it will be closer than if Joe Webb plays, but the Vikes will  lose either way.  Michael Vick and the Eagles are just too explosive.

Prediction: Eagles 30 – Vikings 17

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills

The Pats can clinch home field throughout the post season with a win in this game.  I guarantee New England doesn't want to have to clinch home field in week 17 when road warriors Miami come to town.  The Patriots almost never overlook an opponent, and with big time incentive, they should punish the Bills.

Prediction: Patriots 29 – Bills 13

Seattle Seahawks at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Seattle has a chance in this game because of Tampa's injury situation, but when you are waffling between Matt Hasselbeck and Charlie Whitehurst, you're in trouble.  Josh Freeman is really good; he will be the difference.

Prediction: Buccaneers 20 – Seahawks 10

Washington Redskins at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags are just a more solid and together team right now than Washington.  And Jacksonville isn't starting Rex Grossman.

Prediction: Jaguars 24 – Redskins 13

New York Jets at Chicago Bears

Lots to play for in this one: the Bears are looking for a first round bye and the Jets will be hoping to catch New England.  It should be cold and possibly snowy again in this game, and the Bears will be determined to protect their home field after they got pummeled by the Pats two weeks ago.  I like the Bears defense to contain the Jets, and in a low scoring game, Jay Cutler will make enough plays.

Prediction: Bears 20 – Jets 16

Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are a different team with Matt Cassel in the lineup.  Without him they got routed by 31 points against the Chargers; with him the easily beat the Rams on the road.  I can't see Kansas City losing to an inferior team at home, where they're undefeated, and with a season in the balanace.  This team hasn't sniffed the playoffs in a while, and they get two straight home games to try to get there.  Arrowhead is a nice advantage to ride.

Prediction: Chiefs 28 – Titans 10

San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams

This is essentially a de facto play-in game for the playoffs believe it or not.  If the 49ers win, odds are that Seattle, the Rams, and the Niners will all finish 7-9 or worse, and if there is a tie, the Niners get in.  Unfortunately, the Niners probably aren't good enough to win this road game.

Prediction: Rams 26 – 49ers 16

Denver Broncos at Houston Texans

It's Tim Tebow vs. Matt Schaub, and that's the only difference I can find between these two bad teams.

Prediction: Texans 21 – Broncos 20

Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Raiders

At the beginning of this year this would have been unthinkable, but I think the Raiders can run the ball over Indy and will pressure Peyton Manning all day.  Oakland at home will play physical football and end the Colts playoff hopes.

Prediction: Raiders 24 – Colts 23

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers

These two teams are battling for the last wild card spot.  Aaron Rodgers has been cleared to play and has now had two weeks to recover from a concussion.  Lambeau is going to be absolutely rocking for this game, and Green Bay will be eager to play the type of football they're capable of.  The Packers' offensive line needs to have the best game of their season, and Green Bay must continue to run the ball throughout the game even if it doesn't produce huge results.  The Giants will pound the ball, but Green Bay has a stout run defense, and Eli Manning has been interception prone all year.  That's not good against Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, and Nick Collins.  Clay Matthews should make a big impact in this one as well.  Ultimately I think Rodgers is going to have a signature performance and save the Packers' season.  Go Pack Go!

Prediction: Packers 27 – Giants 23

San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals

Two in a row for Cincy?  Nope.

Prediction: Chargers 24 – Bengals 17

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons

This game isn't actually huge for Atlanta because they can still clinch home field without winning this game, and they play Carolina the last week of the year.  The Saints will be amped for this showdown and I think that will make this a very tough game.  But I can't pick against the red hot Falcons playing at home.

Prediction: Falcons 28 – Saints 27