2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 16

Houston Texans (9-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)

Saturday, December 21, 1PM ET

Let’s start Week 16 off with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing spoiler. They’ve been exceptional the last few weeks, as they’re currently riding a four-game winning streak on the arm of Jameis Winston. They figured it out too late, but are doing their best to prepare for a strong 2020.

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I’m still uncertain about the Houston Texans’ potential to make any sort of noise during the postseason. Their defense is too prone to collapse, and Deshaun Watson hasn’t been a star during the second half of the season. Unless the entire team finally flips a switch, they could have a hard time locking up a playoff berth.

The Buccaneers will be their first hurdle, and they won’t clear it. The Tampa Bay defense isn’t great, which should open the door for Watson, DeAndre Hopkins and Carlos Hyde to get things rolling early. However, if they plan on keeping up with Winston in the scoring department, they better be prepared to pile on the points.

By what we’ve seen this season, the Texans haven’t done a great job of creating turnovers. That’ll provide Winston the perfect opportunity to play his go-big-or-go-home style of quarterbacking, putting together his third straight game of more than 450 passing yards. Oh, and there will be a win to go along with it for the Buccaneers.

Prediction: Buccaneers win 43-37