NFL 2018 Week 16 picks

Saturday games
Washington Redskins at Tennessee Titans:  The Redskins have the talent to do well, but they seem confused and out of sync on the field.  That's precisely the opportunity that the Titans' defense loves to exploit.  TITANS, 23-17

Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers:  The Ravens are a strong team that loses close games.  This one is likely to be a close game, which gives the edge to the Chargers.  CHARGERS, 24-23

Sunday early games
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers:  When Atlanta has it together, they are a tough team.  They've had trouble getting it together this season, though. Carolina hasn't been too consistent, either, but they have had better luck getting it together than the Falcons have.  PANTHERS, 26-24

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots:  New England has shown some unusual vulnerabilities this season, but they are still a powerful force in the AFC East.  The Bills offense has struggled greatly, which reduces their threat level.  PATRIOTS, 27-17

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns: This game is a reflection of opposing directions.  The Bengals, commonly a regular season threat, have faltered badly this season.  The Browns, normally dwelling near the bottom of the league, has been given new life, thanks greatly to new QB Baker Mayfield.  Mayfield has grown into this job, which encourages me to give them the edge in this game.  BROWNS, 28-27

Green Bay Packers at New York Jets:  The Packers are another traditionally competitive team who is struggling, but the Jets are struggling even more.  QB Sam Darnold is learning, but he back-pedals sometimes.  His time this game might be best spent observing how Aaron Rodgers operates; perhaps Darnold can pick up some pointers.  He won't pick up a win.  PACKERS, 27-20

Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles:  The Eagles still have an outside chance at the playoffs, but they need to win out.  The Texans are going to make that a difficult prospect.  Between their defense, and excellent play by Deshaun Watson, the Texans are stiff competition.  TEXANS, 27-20

Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins:  Neither of these teams has been the picture of consistency, but the Jags have a greater history of screwing up at crucial points in a game.  Miami at least minimizes the number of serious mistakes they make.  DOLPHINS, 20-17

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions:  Kirk Cousins may not have proven to be the savior the Vikings hoped, but he has kept things interesting.  The Lions remain the chronic underachievers that have defined the Matt Stafford era, so Minnesota should win this one.  VIKINGS, 27-20

New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts:  The Giants loss this past week removes any chance of reaching the playoffs.  So what will the Giants do now?  If they are smart, they start determining who will be the cornerstone of the team next season, and trying different combinations of players.  That will produce some unexpected formations and patterns, which might confuse the Colts, but Indy should still emerge victorious.  COLTS, 26-23

Tampa Bay Bucs at Dallas Cowboys:  Dallas wants to remain ahead of the Eagles in the division title hunt.  The Texans might help them out, but the Cowboys want to do it on their own.  That means they will be itching for a win here.  COWBOYS, 30-23

Sunday late games
Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers:  The Bears have won their division, so will they slack off?  Not now, thanks to the Rams loss.  They have a chance to be the second seed in the NFC, gaining a playoff bye week.  They want that position, so they want to keep winning.  Although the 49ers have lately been looking better, the Bears defense will ensure this victory.  BEARS, 27-17

Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals:  That aforementioned loss puts the Rams in a precarious place for playoff seeding, so they know they need even win they can get.  Fortunately, the Cardinals should make that easy.  RAMS, 34-17

Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints:  The Steelers will become big Chargers fans on Saturday, rooting for the Chargers to beat the Ravens.  However, if they are hoping to turn that loss into a division title, the Saints will have other ideas.  The Saints want the top seed in the NFC, and they need to keep winning in order to do that.  SAINTS, 30-24

Sunday night
Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks:  The two best teams in the AFC reside in the same division, and another loss by either gives the title to the other.  KC will be rooting for Baltimore.  If they don't get their wish, they will have to deal with the Seahawks.  Winning in Seattle is not easy, but it is easier than it used to be.  CHIEFS, 31-26

Monday Night Football
Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders:  Denver has had its ups and downs, but this has been a rocky first year for Jay Gruden, so I definitely think the visitors have the advantage.  BRONCOS, 28-20