NFL Week 16 Picks

Indianapolis at Jacksonville 34-21

The Colts are on a roll as of late, which is a scary thought for many teams. Jacksonville won last week, but they aren't the same team as last year, the one that could have won the division. They don't have the chemistry. Peyton Manning and the Colts should win one fairly easily here.

Fantasy MVP: Peyton Manning 350 yards 4 touchdowns 1 INT

Baltimore at Dallas 23-31

The Cowboys looked really good last week. The Ravens defense is great, especially against the run, but weak against the pass. That's bad news when playing a pass heavy team like the Cowboys, in a pass friendly enviornment like Dallas. Marion Barber won't have a great game against this Baltimore run defense, few do, but he's the type of back, a power back like Brandon Jacobs, who had a great game against the Ravens earlier this year, who can stablize the running game and not force the Cowboys to be one dimensional. That should set up the pass, which Baltimore is weak against, and force the Ravens' young offense to play from behind, which they could have trouble with.

Fantasy MVP: Tony Romo 280 yards 3 touchdowns 1 INT

Cincinnati at Cleveland 10-13

Both teams are just so awful. This might be one of the sloppiest games of football all year. The Browns have at least some talent, in the running game, and a few defensive players, as well as kick returner Josh Cribbs, so I'll pick them to win a messy one.

Fantasy MVP: Braylon Edwards 95 yards receiving 1 touchdown

San Francisco at St. Louis 27-10

This was a blowout, in the Niners' favor, last time these two teams met. Not much has changed since then. The Rams are still not trying and the Niners are still making good progress for the future under Mike Singletary. Expect the same result as last time. This one will be over fast.

Fantasy MVP: Shaun Hill 230 yards passing 2 touchdowns 1 INT

New Orleans at Detroit 38-21 lock pick

The Saints offense is going to have the game of their lives. Detroit's defense is that bad. Look for the Saints and their strong offense to blow out the Lions, pushing them to 0-15. The Lions will score some on the Saints' weak defense, but it'll be far too little, far too late.

Fantasy MVP: Pierre Thomas 130 yards rushing 35 yards receiving 3 touchdowns

Pittsburgh at Tennessee 31-10 upset pick

You might be surprised at the predicted margin of victory, but I expect Pittsburgh to go into Tennessee and win in very easily fashion. The Titans are walking wounded without Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch, their two most important defensive players. They aren't going to be able to create anything up front without them, or at leat not nearly enough to exploit the Steelers' one weakness, the line, and win in the trenches. Ben Roethlisberger is going to get time in the pocket and pick apart the Titans' secondary.

Fantasy MVP: Ben Roethlisberger 280 yards 2 touchdowns 0 INTs

Miami at Kansas City 21-24 upset pick

Kansas City has to win eventually. They can't keep losing close games and I think this will be the week they break out and get a good win. The Dolphins looked really bad last week, even in a win, nearly blowing it at home against San Francisco. I don't think this team is as talented as their record says they are. They will go into Kansas City and lose, as the Chiefs finally win a close one. The Chiefs have really looked good lately with Tyler Thigpen at quarterback.

Fantasy MVP: Ronnie Brown 100 yards rushing 50 yards receiving 2 touchdowns

Arizona at New England 38-41

If Tavaris Jackson can get 4 touchdowns against Arizona, how many can Matt Cassel get? Cassel and the Patriots' offense should have a fairly easy time here. Even with Cassel at the helm, instead of Tom Brady, they have looked like the 2007 Patriots offensively at times. This should be another one of those times. Kurt Warner and the Cardinals should have a good game too offensively, but not enough to outscore the Pats in this sure to be high scoring affair. Plus, Arizona should be affected by the 3 hours time difference which has messed up so many good teams this year.

Fantasy MVP: Matt Cassel 360 yards passing 4 touchdowns 1 INT

San Diego at Tampa Bay 20-27

This is the Chargers last chance to salvage their season, so they'll give a good effort. However, I just don't think they have what it takes to have a good season this year. They aren't going to be able to beat both major trends in the NFL this season, teams traveling across threee times zones often lose and the NFC South is 26-2 at home, and come into Tampa and win a game. They aren't good enough and Tampa isn't bad enough.

Fantasy MVP: LaDainian Tomlinson 90 yards rushing 45 yards receiving 1 touchdown

Houston at Oakland 17-21 lock pick

Matchup of the week right here in terms of player vs. player. Andre Johnson is the wide receiver that Matt Schaub throws to almost every play. Nmandi Asomugha is the cornerback that will be defending him and the cornerback that no one every throws on. If he can shut down Johnson, the Texans will have no one to go to and lose this one. If Johnson wins, the Texans will have a field day. I'm going with the former for the upset.

Fantasy MVP: Steve Slaton 70 yards rushing 40 yards receiving 2 touchdowns

Buffalo at Denver 14-38

Denver is one of the most inconsistent teams in the league. That also means they randomly explode for huge games. Against a Buffalo team that is going nowhere but down, 1-7 in their last 8 after starting 5-1, that looks very likely.

Fantasy MVP: Jay Cutler 420 yards passing 4 touchdowns 1 INT

NY Jets at Seattle 27-21

East Coast teams have had trouble playing west coast teams on the west coast, with the exception of the Patriots, and most notably the Jets, losing to both the Raiders and the Niners. However, the Seahawks aren't very good, so that shouldn't matter. Brett Favre will win here, though it will be much closer than their records say it should be.

Fantasy MVP: Thomas Jones 110 yards rushing 40 yards receiving 2 touchdowns

Atlanta at Minnesota 20-24

The Falcons have two weaknesses, defending the run and going on the road. Going to Minnesota to play the Vikings and the league's best running back Adrian Peterson shouldn't be much fun for them. They'll lose a well fought game.

Fantasy MVP: Adrian Peterson 140 yards rushing 2 touchdowns

Philadelphia at Washington 31-21

The Eagles are crusing, the Redskins, not so much. This will be a good close game that will by a mirror of these team's true talent. However, Donovan McNabb and company may be too much for the Redskins.

Fantasy MVP: Donovan McNabb 250 yards passing 3 touchdowns 1 INT

Carolina at NY Giants 27-17 upset pick/game of the week

The Giants are a good team. However, they've really been missing Plaxico because now they have no redzone receiver, especially since they traded Jeremy Shockey before the season. Now they are missing Brandon Jacobs, their redzone and short yardage back. They can't expect to beat Carolina, as good as the Panthers have been playing, not being able to score in the redzone or convert on 3rd and short.

Fantasy MVP: DeAngelo Williams 140 yards rushing, 40 yards receiving, 2 touchdowns

Green Bay at Chicago 20-24

The Packers have been without a strong running game all year, with Ryan Grant struggling. Whether or not that has been a result of a poor line is questionable, but the facts are that they do struggle with the run and that has shown in their record. The Bears are one of the league's best running teams, going against the Packers poor run defense, in what is supposed to be mid teens temperatures, weather forecast says 15-18 degrees with snow, which also happens to be the temperature where you need to run and stop the run. Advantage home team. Advantage Chicago.

Fantasy MVP: Matt Forte 110 yards rushing 20 yards receiving 2 touchdowns