Your humble narrator took a beating last week, barley hitting .500 straight up. With two weeks of the regular season to go, it’s time to step up my game. Here are your Friday Afternoon Quarterback picks for Week 16 of the NFL season.
Saturday
Washington Redskins at Tennessee Titans (-10, O/U: 37.5)
A Mike Vrabel-coached team favored by 10 points? He must be facing a Jay Gruden-coached team. Titans 27, Redskins 10
Related: NFL Betting Guide
Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers (-4, O/U: 43.5)
The Chargers are looking more and more like the best team in the AFC and unless I jinxed Anthony Lynn with my crow-eating last week, they should stay that way. Chargers 28, Ravens 20
Chargers’ WR Keenan Allen, who left last Thursday’s game vs. Chiefs with a hip pointer, is now expected to play Saturday night vs. Ravens, per source. Allen has look improved and ready at practice this week.
RB Melvin Gordon, who has been out with an MCL, also expected to play.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 20, 2018
Sunday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys (-7, O/U: 48)
After a historic sheet-soiling in Indianapolis last week, Dirk Koetter and Jameis Winston are here to save Jason Garrett’s day. Cowboys 31, Buccaneers 17
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-13.5, O/U: 44.5)
People are finally jumping on the “Tom Brady’s done” bandwagon, so all I can say is, “Sorry Bills.” Patriots 41, Bills 10
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (+3, O/U: 43.5)
Cam Newton has been shut down by the Panthers for the rest of the season, which is in contrast of the Falcons, who’ve let Steve Sarkisina shut down Matt Ryan all season. Falcons 23, Panthers 9
Dan Quinn was asked about the possibility of the Saints using the Falcons facility if they win the NFC. Quinn paused, and delicately said, "I'm most disappointed that we won't be the ones playing or practicing on our site." Quinn then walked off before any possible follow-up.
— Jason Butt (@JasonHButt) December 20, 2018
Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins (-4, O/U: 38.5)
Just in time to remain out of the AFC playoff hunt, the Dolphins will hang a loss on the Jaguars. Dolphins 27, Jaguars 13
New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts (-9, O/U: 47)
The Colts are on life support, but with Odell Beckham Jr. banged up, the Giants just showed up with an adrenaline shot. Colts 24, Giants 14
Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles (-2, O/U: 46)
The Eagles’ playoff hopes hinge completely on this game. The Texans have all but already wrapped up a spot, if not the AFC North title. This is a playoff game for one team. Eagles 27, Texans 24
Chris Long shrine to Nick Foles: pic.twitter.com/8kEb7SVqmV
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 20, 2018
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (+6, O/U: 42.5)
Jim Caldwell had this same Lions team at nine wins last season, which is more of an indictment of Matt Patricia than anything I could write. Vikings 42, Lions 20
Green Bay Packers at New York Jets (+3, O/U: 47.5)
If I was a Packers fan, I’d hit Aaron Rodgers with a knock-out dart before he could step on the field again this season. Packers 23, Jets 17
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns (-9.5, O/U: 44.5)
Hue Jackson returns to Cleveland. If I have to write anything else to make you take the Browns here, all I can say is, it’s 2018 and I’m glad you just woke up out of your coma. Browns 26, Bengals 10
Here's every passing touchdown by Baker Mayfield from the 2018 season so far. pic.twitter.com/gQMnaSUoPN
— James Simpson (@JS_Football) December 19, 2018
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals (+14.5, O/U: 44.5)
If the Rams are going to do anything in the playoffs, Jared Goff has to figure this thing out. I’m betting he will, but if this one is close, Los Angeles will be one-and-done in the playoffs again. Rams 41, Cardinals 13
Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (+4, O/U: 43)
The Bears are surging at the right time and the 49ers are doing everything they can to screw up their draft position. Bears 23, 49ers 20
Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints (-6, O/U: 53)
The Steelers desperately need a win here after a season-saving victory over New England. The Saints have a game to lose with a tiebreaker against the Rams in their pocket. None of it will matter. Saints 31, Steelers 28
#Saints star pass-rusher Cam Jordan doesn’t believe Ben Roethlisberger is a future Hall of Famer. “I’d honestly put Eli before Ben.” #Steelers @ #Saints coming up Sunday. pic.twitter.com/uOC2Sx1H0y
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) December 20, 2018
Sunday Night
Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks (+2.5, O/U: 54)
Mike Williams is still wide open in the end zone, but luckily the Chiefs won’t see any wideout of his caliber this week. Chiefs 23, Seahawks 20
Monday Night
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders (+3, O/U: 43)
This will be the first MNF game of the season that fans will specifically request Booger McFarlane to park his Master Blaster toilet in front of them. Broncos 13, Raiders 10
Jon Gruden believed Peterman was the most pro ready QB in the 2017 class. “Peterman is ready to walk in and be a contributor from day one,” he said. https://t.co/FIQZmq8VBk
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 19, 2018
Last week
Straight up: 8-8
Against the spread: 6-10
Season
Straight up: 130-92-2
Against the spread: 6-10
