NFL picks and score predictions for Week 16 as the playoffs loom just around the corner.
The end of the 2020 NFL season is nearly upon us. That means also means the end of this wretched year as a whole, and the start of 2021 — along with the NFL playoffs. For now, though, let’s get you squared away with a new batch of NFL picks for Week 16.
As always, we’ve got you covered with the Week 16 edition of NFL picks and score predictions. Now I’ll never claim that these are going to be 100 percent on point. In fact, there’s a very good chance at least a few of my picks will go completely awry. I will, however, make my selections based on research, experience, and careful consideration.
It appears as though I’ve gotten on a bit of a roll here as the season winds down. The middle of the season was a slog, but I’ve now rattled off four straight weeks of 10+ wins, watching my Week 15 NFL picks produce an 11-5 record. My record on the year improves to 138-84-1. That’s all good and dandy, but the real fun begins once the postseason gets under way.
Just remember that making picks is not a science. As much research goes into it, anything can happen on any given Sunday. Isn’t that part of why we watch football in the first place?
Now that we’ve gotten all of that out of the way, here are my NFL picks and score predictions for Week 16. Just keep in mind that I assume no responsibility if you choose to place wagers based on my picks — that’s your decision, not mine.
Week 16 Byes: None
Minnesota Vikings (6-8) at New Orleans Saints (10-4)
Friday, December 25, 4:30PM ET
Not long ago, the New Orleans Saints looked like the run-away NFC championships. Now, it’s looking like they could be on a slide that culminates in an early postseason exit. Putting together a win or two before the playoffs would certainly help, though.
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With that said, getting the win in Week 16 won’t be easy for the Saints. Coming to town are the Minnesota Vikings, a team that seems to always have New Orleans’ number. While the Vikings haven’t lived up to their potential in 2020, there’s no denying they can’t be ignored as the final weeks of the season unwind.
While Minnesota loves to get the best of the Saints, it won’t happen this time around. Drew Brees knows the losses can’t keep piling up, and the Vikings are certainly beatable. As long as New Orleans can keep pressure on Kirk Cousins and take advantage of Minnesota’s young, raw cornerbacks, they shouldn’t have trouble coming out on top.
Then again, anything is possible in this matchup. We all remember the Minneapolis Miracle, and the Vikings knocked the Saints out of last season’s playoffs unexpectedly as well. That’s history, though — New Orleans gets the win here and closes the door on the Vikings’ slim playoff hopes.
Prediction: Saints win 27-23
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5) at Detroit Lions (5-9)
Saturday, December 26, 1PM ET
On one side, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are doing everything they can to ensure they can test their Super Team approach in the playoffs. On the other side, the Detroit Lions are just waiting for the start of the offseason and trying to avoid being embarrassed on game day.
While the Lions can’t be completely overlooked, the Buccaneers shouldn’t have too much trouble getting the win on Saturday. Tom Brady has looked better down the stretch, and Detroit has one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. Plus, they’re awful against the run as well, which bodes well for the Tampa Bay running game.
Brady is good, but Matthew Stafford is no slouch either. While that may be the case, the Buccaneers defense is the far superior unit, which is more than capable of keeping Stafford from shredding them for 60 straight minutes.
The Buccaneers need this win if they hope to improve upon their seeding. Taking down Detroit and solidifying their status as one of the better clubs in the NFC seems to be on the docket, but Tampa Bay needs to take this one seriously if they want to avoid falling victim to the spoiler.
Prediction: Buccaneers win 26-23
San Francisco 49ers (5-9) at Arizona Cardinals (8-6)
Saturday, December 26, 4:30PM ET
As of this moment, the Arizona Cardinals are in the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, their spot in the postseason is far from guaranteed. They’ve got to keep the wins coming if they plan on fending off the Chicago Bears and Vikings for the seventh seed in the NFC.
A divisional matchup with the San Francisco 49ers won’t be easy, even if their opponent is 5-9 and currently riding a three-game losing streak. The 49ers were decimated by injuries and illness this season, but are still a resilient squad who are more than capable of playing spoiler in Week 16.
In this one, it’ll be up to Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins and the rest of the Arizona offense to put up consistent points. The Cardinals defense hasn’t quite been carrying its own weight this season, and slowing down the 49ers won’t be easy. That’s why putting up a large number of points is a must for Murray and Co.
With that said, I’m confident they’ll get the job done. The Cardinals have routinely found ways into the end zone when they’re needed most, and it’s like the San Francisco offense is a juggernaut right now. It’s a close one, but Arizona gets the win and remains in the playoff picture for now.
Prediction: Cardinals win 38-27
Miami Dolphins (9-5) at Las Vegas Raiders (7-7)
Saturday, December 26, 8:15PM ET
I’m sorry Silver and Black fans, but it’s time for the final nail to be hammered into the Las Vegas Raiders. They’ve hung around for far too long this season. As strange as it is, the Miami Dolphins are going to be the ones to send them home without any dessert.
Technically, the Raiders are still in the mix for the final Wild Card spot in the AFC. However, in order for them to make it, several other dominoes would have to fall in their favor. The first and most important at this moment is getting a win against the Dolphins in Week 16. Yeah, that’s not going to happen.
This Las Vegas roster just isn’t what it had the potential to be earlier in the year. Derek Carr has had a great year, but the weapons he’s working with are inconsistent and Josh Jacobs has been hurt. As for the Raiders defense, they’re a huge part of the reason why, despite his best efforts, Carr simply can’t keep up in the scoring department.
Tua Tagovailoa has been steadily improving after his brief benching. Look for the rookie quarterback to take advantage of Las Vegas’ subpar secondary, leading the Dolphins to a resounding victory and putting the Raiders’ 2020 playoff hopes to rest.
Prediction: Dolphins win 34-20
Carolina Panthers (4-10) at Washington Football Team (6-8)
Sunday, December 27, 1PM ET
At one point this season, the Carolina Panthers looked like a potential sleeper team. Unfortunately, having lost eight of their last nine games, it’s become obvious we were overestimating their potential through the first few weeks. Now at 4-10, their season is nearly over.
As for the Washington Football Team, they’ve still got plenty to play for. The NFC East title is within reach, but they can’t afford to continue picking up losses. Getting another W against the Panthers in Week 16 will be imperative to taking the divisional crown in 2020.
Right now, the edge goes to Washington. Dwayne Haskins wasn’t a total mess against a solid Seattle Seahawks defense, and the run game got going as well. The D.C. defense has been outstanding all year long, which should give Washington just enough to overcome anything that Teddy Bridgewater and Co. can muster on Sunday.
It’s been a long year for both of these clubs, but the Football Team still has something to fight for. And considering their the more talented team at this point, it just makes sense for Ron Rivera‘s group to stick it to his former squad, keeping their playoff hopes alive in the process.
Prediction: Washington wins 26-21
Indianapolis Colts (10-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3)
Sunday, December 27, 1PM ET
I was already skeptical about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ chances against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16. Then the Steelers lost to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night, and now I’m starting to wonder if they won’t cough up the AFC North crown and exit the postseason in Round 1.
This just isn’t the same team that started the season 11-0. Pittsburgh’s offense is falling apart and the defense hasn’t been nearly as dominant. Ben Roethlisberger is suddenly struggling, as a lack of a reliable running game and crumbling pass protection continue to make his life exponentially more difficult.
When it comes to the Colts, there’s still plenty of positive going on with that club. The offense isn’t overwhelming with Philip Rivers calling the shots, but the running game is looking good. More importantly, the Indianapolis defense continues to own opponents, which is why I’m confident they can control whatever Pittsburgh throws at them.
The Steelers are in freefall, and a matchup with the rolling Colts isn’t going to help their cause. As great as Pittsburgh looked earlier in the year, it’s looking like one of those situations where they cooled down at the worst of times. Indianapolis gets the win and leapfrogs the Steelers in the standings.
Prediction: Colts win 24-17
Atlanta Falcons (4-10) at Kansas City Chiefs (13-1)
Sunday, December 27, 1PM ET
Despite their 4-10 record, the Atlanta Falcons have been surprisingly competitive in 2020. With that said, they’re utterly incapable of finishing games and seem to come out on the losing end of every game that’s comes down to the wire.
The same cannot be said for the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that simply refuses to lose (apart from that one game). They’ve conquered one quality opponent after another and now sit atop the AFC with only two weeks to go. With two underwhelming matchups left on the docket, the top seed and a first-round bye seem nearly guaranteed at this point.
With that said, this one could be a trap game of sorts. The Falcons have played well against top competition this season, even if it regularly results in an L. Matt Ryan is still an outstanding quarterback with dangerous weapons around him — it’s more on the Atlanta defense to stiffen up when the opposing offense starts firing.
It’s time for the Chiefs to buckle down and get the last two wins, locking down the first-round bye in the process. The Falcons are a capable foe, but the win should come easy as long as Patrick Mahomes avoids mistakes and the Kansas City defense can stiffen up down the stretch.
Prediction: Chiefs win 31-21
Chicago Bears (7-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-13)
Sunday, December 27, 1PM ET
Apparently the Chicago Bears are getting hot again at just the right time. Since Mitchell Trubisky stepped back into the starting quarterback role, the Bears have looked like a competent team again after suffering what seemed like a season-ending losing streak in the middle of the year.
As for the Jacksonville Jaguars, they’ve been a dumpster fire all season long. After a surprise Week 1 win, they’ve lost 13 straight and are simply waiting for the offseason to begin. Coming off a shellacking at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, we can’t expect much for them against a still-contending Bears club.
Look for Chicago to go to David Montgomery early and often, as he’s been an offensive catalyst in recent weeks. Throw in a few big plays by Trubisky, and you’ve got a recipe for success as the Bears hope to keep their fleeting playoff hopes alive.
With all of that said, the Bears have to be careful in this one. They’ve suffered some surprising letdowns already in 2020, and this one has the potential to evolve into an upset. Then again, the Jaguars do have the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to lose for.
Prediction: Bears win 27-19
Cincinnati Bengals (3-10-1) at Houston Texans (4-10)
Sunday, December 27, 1PM ET
Yes, I’m impressed at the fact that the Bengals beat the Steelers on Monday night. However, as I alluded to earlier, I believe it the win had more to do with Pittsburgh’s sudden collapse rather than a complete 180 by the Bengals. They deserve credit, but I’m not going to put them on a pedestal.
Then again, it’s not like the Houston Texans are a formidable foe. They only have one more win than Cincinnati does in 2020, although more of their contests have been close. They boast slightly more offensive talent and are just as inept on the defensive end.
In this situation, I give the edge to Houston due in large part to Deshaun Watson’s presence. He’s obviously the superior talent when compared to Ryan Finley, and has the experience and leadership to get the Texans over the hump in crunch time. As long as the rest of his supporting cast doesn’t stink it up, Houston should be able to outscore the Bengals.
Realistically, though, anything can happen in this one. Both of these squads have been out of the playoff race for some time, and don’t have much to play for at this point other than pride. Look for plenty of mistakes to occur and a turnover or two to cost Cincinnati at the end.
Prediction: Texans win 20-16
New York Giants (5-9) at Baltimore Ravens (9-5)
Sunday, December 27, 1PM ET
The New York Giants picked the worst time to desperately need a win. If they fail to win in Week 16 and Washington gets a W, it’s game over for their playoff hopes. I already picked D.C. to get the win, so it’s looking like this could be the end of the road for the G-Men.
Why? Because the Baltimore Ravens are rolling right now. After a midseason slump dropped them out of the playoff picture, they’ve come surging back in recent weeks. The Ravens have won three in a row, and are about to make it four against a Giants team that simply doesn’t have enough talent to compete with them.
Even if Daniel Jones is ready to go on Sunday, I don’t think his presence will be enough. Baltimore has an outstanding defense, and they’ll take advantage of the youngster’s proneness for turnovers. If Colt McCoy is under center, the results will be similar — subpar production, too many sacks and a costly turnover or two.
That doesn’t even take into consideration the fact that Lamar Jackson is on fire right now. He’ll torch the New York secondary, maybe even throwing another touchdown to Dez Bryant along the way. The Ravens get the win and inch closer to forcing their way back into the playoff picture.
Prediction: Ravens win 34-19
Cleveland Browns (10-4) at New York Jets (1-13)
Sunday, December 27, 1PM ET
Congratulations to the New York Jets, who finally got their first win of 2020 in Week 15. While it was a nice moral win for the players, it didn’t do anything besides potentially cost the team the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Sounds like Trevor Lawrence will avoid Gang Green after all.
It was a solid win, but that doesn’t mean the Jets are suddenly going to topple quality teams on a weekly basis. It was a fluke when they beat the Rams — it won’t happen against the Cleveland Browns, who look like one of the most confident and well-put-together teams in the NFL with the postseason just around the corner.
Look for the Cleveland offense to unload on the New York D. Baker Mayfield should have another big game, while the ground game gets going early. The Browns score at least five touchdowns, while the Jets struggle to get anything going on offense.
Regardless of that one win, Adam Gase still needs to go. The Jets still need a new quarterback, and the roster really just needs a complete overhaul. As for the Browns, they get one step closer to a playoff berth.
Prediction: Browns win 38-14
Denver Broncos (5-9) at Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)
Sunday, December 27, 4:05PM ET
I’ve been saying it all year long, and I’ll say it again. The Los Angeles Chargers are better than their record indicates. While that hasn’t convinced me to pick them all too often, I’m feeling like a moral victory is on the agenda for this underrated squad in Week 16.
It’s not like the Denver Broncos are anything to be too concerned about. Sure, they beat the Chargers in their first meeting this season. With that said, they’ve been wildly erratic all year long, with Drew Lock often looking like a quarterback who desperately needs to be replaced. The Denver defense is good, but so is Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles offense.
In this one, Herbert has another one of his signature games, lighting up the Broncos secondary with one brilliant after another. The young gunslinger continues his campaign for Offensive Rookie of the Year while allowing the Chargers to start a winning streak.
This one doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, but it’s an intriguing matchup against two divisional foes that should have been more competitive in 2020. The Chargers get the win thanks to Herbert and his bevy of talented receivers, who come up big when the heat is on.
Prediction: Chargers win 31-26
Philadelphia Eagles (4-9-1) at Dallas Cowboys (5-9)
Sunday, December 27, 4:25PM ET
I’m sorry folks, but this is the end of the road for the Philadelphia Eagles. It also may be the end of the Carson Wentz era in Philly, but that’s a different discussion. After looking like the champs in the NFC East not too long ago, the Eagles will be able to call it a season after Week 16.
The same, however, cannot be said for the Dallas Cowboys. I’m predicting they win this one on Sunday, temporarily sustaining their middling hopes of making the playoffs. It’s a lost cause if Washington wins their showdown with the Panthers, but that’s not a consideration for this particular game.
Even with Jalen Hurts in at quarterback, I still don’t think the Eagles have enough gusto to punch the Cowboys’ ticket to an early offseason. Hurts is still young and prone to making rookie mistakes, while Dallas has shown some serious resilience and unwillingness to roll over and die in recent weeks.
Andy Dalton has a good game, relying on his gaggle of playmaking receivers to pound Philadelphia’s defense into submission. While Hurts plays well yet again, a costly turnover in the final minute or so gives the Cowboys the edge, allowing them to keep dreaming about the postseason — that is, if Washington loses.
Prediction: Cowboys win 37-33
Los Angeles Rams (9-5) at Seattle Seahawks (10-4)
Sunday, December 27, 4:25PM ET
It’s time for the Seattle Seahawks to put this divisional race to bed. They’ve looked great down the stretch, as the defense continues to improve while Russell Wilson works his way through the slump that essentially knocked him out of the MVP race.
All they have to do is take down the Los Angeles Rams, and the NFC West crown is theirs. Better yet, they stay in the hunt for the NFC’s lone first-round bye by pulling off the win at Lumen Field. Home-field advantage may not be a thing right now, but you better believe the 12s will be there in spirit on Sunday afternoon.
We already know that Wilson is going to find ways to score against this elite Rams defense. It may not be to the tune of 30+ points, but he’ll make it happen. Whether it’s by throwing to D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett or maybe even Josh Gordon. The opportunities are endless as long as the front five can keep Aaron Donald from crashing the party.
Realistically, the key is the Seattle D. As long as they can make Jared Goff uncomfortable and force him into a signature mistake or two, they should notch the win here. With that win, the Seahawks ensure a first-round home game (at least) while keeping their eyes on the larger prize.
Prediction: Seahawks win 25-16
Tennessee Titans (10-4) at Green Bay Packers (11-3)
Sunday, December 27, 8:15PM ET
I know this won’t be a popular pick, but it’s what I’m picking. The Tennessee Titans strike me as a team that’s ready to take the playoffs by storm, while the Green Bay Packers have the look of a surprise first-round exit — assuming they fumble away first place in the NFC, that is.
There’s just so much to love about this Titans team. They’ve got one of the league’s most ferocious offenses, led by Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown. Then there’s their defense, which hasn’t been great this year but has the potential on paper to turn it on during the playoffs. We saw Mike Vrabel light a fire under that unit last postseason.
Sure, the Packers have Aaron Rodgers, who loves to light up unsuspecting secondaries. However, that’s not what Tennessee possesses. Instead, they’ve got a bend-but-don’t-break defense that features some exciting talent, like Kevin Byard, who loves to make opposing quarterbacks pay for their mistakes.
The Titans get the best of their NFC opponent, the same way they’ve done in all of their non-conference matchups this season. Rodgers make it a nail-biter, but Tannehill comes up with the game-winning touchdown as time expires to secure the clutch victory.
Prediction: Titans win 30-27
Buffalo Bills (11-3) at New England Patriots (6-8)
Monday, December 28, 8:20PM ET
It seems odd to think that the New England Patriots have officially been eliminated from playoff contention. For decades now, they’ve been one of the few annual locks to taste the postseason. Well, times they are a-changin’ and the Patriots couldn’t avoid changing along with them.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills are enjoying a surge. They’ve got one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL in Josh Allen, and Sean McDermott has built up one of the league’s top defenses. Combining the two has helped the Bills climb to the top of the AFC standings in 2020, officially knocking the Patriots from atop the AFC East in the process.
The real reason I’m picking Buffalo in this one is their defense — and the Patriots’ inconsistent, inefficient offense. New England hasn’t been able to get their offense going in 2020, regardless of who’s been under center. While the run game has been a plus at times, I don’t see them getting enough going to outscore Allen and the Bills offense.
Right now, Buffalo has the look of a legitimate contender. They’re not far off from locking up the AFC East and have been one of the top teams in the conference down the stretch. The Patriots are already down and out, but look for the Bills to deal them another death blow in Week 16.
Prediction: Bills win 35-23