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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; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder (4) drops back to pass against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Falcons (5-9) at Baltimore Ravens (9-5)

Saturday, December 24, 1:00 PM ET

Although it was mostly bad news for the Baltimore Ravens over the weekend, there was a glimmer of good news for this team. David Ojabo, once a projected top-10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and considered arguably the best pass rusher in this year’s class, made his regular season debut after tearing his Achilles at his pro day back in March.

Ojabo didn’t play much but he was active, he got himself back into the swing of things, and his presence could be massive for the Ravens as the weeks progress. For the time being, however, they are having to deal with some damage control.

The Ravens are 9-5 and now firmly in second place in the AFC North behind the Cincinnati Bengals. They lost over the weekend while everyone else in the division got a victory.

Now would be the perfect time for the return of a certain former MVP of the league…

If Lamar Jackson is able to go for the Ravens this week, it would be massive for their projection the rest of the way this season. They might be the quietest 9-5 team in recent NFL history.

If Jackson returns, he’ll be taking on Falcons rookie Desmond Ridder, whose debut in the NFL was spoiled by a late fumble from fellow rookie Drake London. Who knows what might have happened if London hadn’t fumbled against the Saints? The Falcons could have pulled out a tough win, or perhaps it would have ended poorly anyway.

We’ll never know.

Now, Ridder and the young Falcons have to go into Baltimore and try to climb back into the thick of things in the NFC South. The door is still open, shockingly, but I’m not sure the Falcons are going into Baltimore and getting a win at this time of year, especially if Lamar Jackson comes back.

Prediction: Ravens win 25-21

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