NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 16
Next
NFL Picks
NFL Picks; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) tries to block out crowd noise to hear a play call in the third quarter during a Week 15 NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. The Cincinnati Bengals won, 34-23. The Cincinnati Bengals improved to 10-4 on the season.Nfl Cincinnati Bengals At Tampa Bay Buccaneers Dec 18 0120 /

Cincinnati Bengals (10-4) at New England Patriots (7-7)

Saturday, December 24, 1:00 PM ET

There are very few words to accurately, or perhaps effectively, describe the ending of the Patriots-Raiders game from this past week. Former Patriot Chandler Jones, now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders, had arguably the moment of his football life this past weekend as he intercepted a lateral attempt from Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers. Nobody knows why Meyers and the Patriots were attempting to lateral the ball around the field in a tie game on the road, but it was probably just the heat of the moment getting to him.

The end result of this incredible moment for Chandler Jones was one of the most embarrassing moments for the New England Patriots in their franchise history. Instead of playing for a win and an 8-6 record in overtime, they dropped the game in regulation thanks to one of the greatest stiff-arms you’ll ever see from Chandler Jones.

What does this mean for the Patriots as they come home to face the white-hot Cincinnati Bengals?

It probably can’t mean anything good, right?

The thing about the Cincinnati Bengals right now is that Lou Anarumo’s defense is playing so exceptionally well, it’s difficult to bet against even that unit. They hosted a turnover party against the Buccaneers this past weekend, forcing four against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers en route to a 34-23 victory.

I’m not going to sit here and say that I think the Bengals are going to make quick work of the Patriots on the road. New England’s defense has been good most of the season so they deserve some respect in that regard, but even if this game is close for three quarters, I think the Bengals have what it takes to pull away in the fourth with some big plays from their loaded offense.

Joe Burrow only threw for 200 yards against the Bucs but he threw four touchdowns to four different receivers in the game. I think the Bengals will continue to roll this week, winning their seventh straight before a potential AFC Championship Game preview against the Bills in Week 17.

Prediction: Bengals win 24-20

Home/NFL