NFL Week 16 picks

We're in the home stretch.  Wildcard positions are at stake for many of these games, and the league gives those with access to NFL Network a nice Christmas gift.  For the rest of you, you may think the league is a Scrooge.

Christmas night - San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans:  Since the Chargers have clinched the second seed in the AFC, you might think they'd rest their starters.  The Chargers have barely won some games, though, so I think the coaching staff will want to continue to hone their team.  Given the current state of the Titans defense, I don't think they'll appreciate that.  CHARGERS, 31-17

Sunday early games:
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers:  The Steelers may have ended their losing streak last week, but the Ravens are the hottest team in the AFC right now.  They are challenging Cincy for the division title, and they know they need to win every single game to even have a chance.  They'll be relentless in this game.  RAVENS, 21-13

Buffalo Bills at Atlanta Falcons:  The Bills can play hard, but the Falcons are doing well.  With the likely return of their two injured players, the Falcons will be even harder to beat.  FALCONS, 24-20

Carolina Panthers at New York Giants:  The Giants are still hoping for a wildcard berth, so they won't let up.  Carolina likes to play spoiler, and they may make this a close game, but the Giants offense is just too good for the Panthers defense to stop.  GIANTS, 27-22

Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins:  The Texans defense is just a little too physical for Miami to overcome.  The Dolphins might make a late game run at a game-winning score, but I think the Texans will shut it down.  TEXANS, 26-20

Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots:  The Patriots want to win this division NOW, so they'll make sure the Jaguars don't scratch them.  PATS, 20-10

Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals:  Cincy knows that they need this win to hold off Baltimore and gain the division title.  Against the Chiefs, though, they wouldn't even need that incentive.  BENGALS, 24-3

Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns:  The Browns are finding some strength to close the season, but I think the Raiders will grind this game out.  I sense a defensive battle.  RAIDERS, 13-10

Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers:  One of the greatest advantages Green Bay has is the weather in Wisconsin in December.  While the Seahawks probably won't be bothered by Lambeau Field in December, the Seahawks are just not capable of stopping the Packers.  PACK, 31-17

Tampa Bay Bucs at New Orleans Saints:  The Saints should return to their winning ways as their offense rolls over the pathetic Bucs defense.  SAINTS, 41-13

Sunday late games:
Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles:  Philly is chasing Minnesota for a playoff bye week, but they need to win the division first.  A victory here will give them the NFC East crown and continue to pressure the Vikings.  Denver needs a win to keep them frontrunners in the AFC wildcard race, but the Eagles are just too good right now.  EAGLES, 23-16

Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers:  The Lions would love an upset to help redeem their season, but the 49ers defense is just too good.  49ERS, 20-6

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts:  If Coach Caldwell is honest about playing for an unbeaten season, they should prevail here.  If he decides to rest some starters, the Jets defense is good enough to hand them their first loss.  I think if things are going badly, Caldwell will put the starters back in, ensuring the victory.  COLTS, 17-13

St Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals:  Sorry, Rams, but that elusive second win remains so.  CARDS, 41-13

Sunday night - Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins:  The Redskins are yet to win a divisional game, and I don't think they'll get this one.  The Cowboys are chasing Philly for the division title, and they know they need this win to set up the showdown next week in Dallas.  COWBOYS, 27-10

Monday Night Football - Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears:  Sorry, Chicago, but the Vikings will trounce you.  VIKES, 31-13