2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 16

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9) at Atlanta Falcons (5-9)

Sunday, December 22, 1PM ET

There’s nothing for either of these teams to gain in this one. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons are both out of playoff contention, so they’re essentially playing for a better (or worse) draft pick. Still, we need to pick someone to win, right?

I’m rolling with the Falcons, who have looked like a different team during the second half of the 2019 campaign. Although it was too little, too late to get them back into the postseason picture, it proved that this club did offer something this year — they just couldn’t get it together in time to make something of it.

As for the Jaguars, it’s been a mess of a season. Nick Foles was a disaster when he wasn’t hurt, and Gardner Minshew couldn’t do it all on his own. The Jacksonville defense underwhelmed despite offering plenty of talent on paper. There’s a very good chance significant changes will be made in the coming months.

Considering what we’ve seen in recent weeks, it just makes sense to go with the Falcons. Matt Ryan does his thing, and Julio Jones has another huge game. The Atlanta defense bends but doesn’t break, coming up with a clutch takeaway in the waning minutes to earn the W.

Prediction: Falcons win 23-20