NFL picks and score predictions for Week 16 with the playoffs just around the corner.
Can you smell that? It’s the smell of the NFL playoffs, which linger less than a month away from today. It’s surely an exciting time during the 2021 season, but we’ve still got three more weeks of play before anything is set in stone. So enjoy while you can before the postseason stress settles in.
As usual, we’ve got you covered with the Week 16 edition of NFL picks and score predictions. Just as in years passed, I’ll never claim to know what the future holds. As it turns out, odds are high at least a few of my picks will be completely wrong. I will, however, make my selections based on research, experience, and careful consideration.
It’s getting tough to predict some of these late-season games, but I guess things are going well all things considered. My Week 15 NFL picks ended up in an 8-6 record (Tuesday games pending), which is solid but not spectacular. With that, my overall record on the season moves to 143-83-1. Given all that’s happened over the last few weeks, I’ll accept that.
Just remember that making picks is not a science. Plenty of research goes into it, but there’s no crystal ball — craziness occurs every Sunday. Then again, isn’t that part of the fun of it all?
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.
2021 NFL picks and predictions for Week 16 action
Week 16 Byes: None | All point spreads and odds are courtesy of WynnBet.
San Francisco 49ers (8-6) at Tennessee Titans (9-5)
Thursday, December 23, 8:20PM ET
It’s been an interesting season for both of these squads. The San Francisco 49ers got off to a slow start, but have forced their way back into the playoff hunt. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans have a great record but have limped through the second half of the season.
Can the Titans continue to survive without Derrick Henry or A.J. Brown? It’s clear the current offensive weapons they’re working with aren’t getting it done. It’s difficult to imagine then creating too many points against a solid 49ers defense in Week 16.
As for San Francisco, I foresee them having significantly more success on offense — even against a tough Titans defense. With George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and potentially Elijah Mitchell all ready to make plays, the 49ers shouldn’t have too much trouble finding the end zone at least a few times as they look to improve their postseason positioning.
Tennessee does their best, but ultimately their ineffective offense proves too much to overcome. The 49ers keep their winning ways going with a much-needed victory as they attempt to improve their playoff seeding with only three weeks to go.
Prediction: 49ers win 27-18 | Spread: 49ers (-3.5)