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2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 16

By Sayre Bedinger

NFL Picks: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass during the fourth quarter in the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NFL Picks: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws a pass during the fourth quarter in the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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NFL Picks; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates after the Browns beat the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

New Orleans Saints (5-9) at Cleveland Browns (6-8)

Saturday, December 24, 1:00 PM ET

Veeery quietly, the Cleveland Browns have managed to win three of their last four games and at least stay on the periphery of the AFC playoff race. The Browns have given some teams fits this year as well and are nine points away from a few one-score wins early in the season.

If only…

Since the Browns got Deshaun Watson back into the lineup, the team is 2-1. How much Watson has to do with that is up for the football talk shows to debate. The Browns have scored a combined 23 points in their last two games — a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and a win against the Tyler Huntley-led Ravens, a win which helped the Bengals tremendously in their pursuit of the AFC North crown.

The Browns are home again this week for a matchup against the 5-9 Saints who are fresh off of a win against Desmond Ridder and the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints are just one team that I feel like do the opposite of what I put in NFL picks almost every single week. Whenever I feel like New Orleans is going to put things together or whenever I feel like they have an advantage, they seem to go the other direction.

I simply don’t have confidence at this point that an Andy Dalton-led Saints team is going on the road, even against a Browns team that is struggling to put points on the board lately, and get a victory.

In their last three games, the Browns defense has forced seven total turnovers. Andy Dalton is going to have to take really good care of the ball or Kevin Stefanski’s crew is going to grind out another low-scoring win.

Prediction: Browns win 20-17

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