NFL Week 16

The stretch run is here and a whole bunch of games that don't matter will be contested. So trying to pick them becomes a case of trying to figure out who has something to play for, who has something to prove, and who is trying to save their job for next year. There are also a few really exciting battles looming, so on we go ...

Colts over Jags - we start tonight with what shouldn't be a very good game. But Indy and Jacksonville always seem to play tight games and this one is in Florida. I think Peyton will do just enough though to get it done and keep the Colts rolling.

Cowboys over Ravens - as much as I want to pick Baltimore and see Flacco be successful and make the playoffs, this is the last game in Texas Stadium and Dallas should come out all fired up to give the fans a good show.

Browns over Bengals - These teams both stink, but Cleveland stinks just a little bit less. They'll play hard for Crenel with all the rumours swirling around him getting canned at the end of the year.

Lions over Saints - yes, that's right. I'm picking Detroit. New Orleans has nothing left to play for. They're only 1-6 on the road. Reggie Bush is out for the year. Brees' numbers are down the last three weeks. Everything just points to this being the week. It probably won't be, but I have to try picking them once this year (if you look back, I actually did pick them in Week 1 ... my bad).

Steelers over Titans - Pittsburgh is getting it done ugly and Tennessee isn't threatening anyone the last few weeks. I think the Steelers will find a way to get it done playing for home field all the way through the playoffs.

Dolphins over Chiefs - Miami still holds their playoff fate in their own hands, being able to win the division by winning out. That's motivation enough to beat a lousy KC team.

49ers over Rams - San Francisco is playing really well lately. They're not a very talented team, but Singletary has them playing harder than any of their opponents and that's enough for them to win in this league of parity.

Falcons over Vikings - Atlanta should come out running and be able to shove it down Minnesota's collective throat all afternoon with the Vikes losing their best run stopper, Pat Williams for the rest of the regular season.

Patriots over Cardinals - There should be a few very disillusioned teams (Atlanta, Tampa, Chicago, Minnesota), a couple of whom will miss out on the playoffs while this lousy Arizona team beat up on an even weaker division and will still only manage an 8-8 record but still get a home playoff game!

Panthers over Giants - Carolina has not been winning games on the road, but the possibility of getting home field all the way through the NFC Championship will be motivation enough. Their defense will be able to stop a struggling Giants offense and they'll be able to put up enough running yards to get some points.

Eagles over Redskins - what happened to Washington? Half way through the year they were considered contenders. Now? Now they lost to the Bengals! Has any team slid further?

Broncos over Bills - okay maybe the Bills have slid further. From 5-1 to a very probable 6-10. That's Detroit Lion like. Remember last year when the Lions went from 6-2 to 7-9? Denver will do enough to get this done and lock up the division.

Texans over Raiders - Houston is on quite a roll and now they get a cupcake to guarantee a .500 season. There will likely be some high hopes for this team next year.

Jets over Seahawks - I'm not positive about this one. It'll be Holmgren's last game as coach in Seattle and he'll have the guys well motivated to win this one and spoil NY's playoff hopes. The Hawks played New York's division rivals tough this year. But I think that Favre's desire to get back to the playoffs will let him get it done.

Bucs over Chargers - San Diego will know by game time if they still have something to play for. If the Broncos lose, then a SD win sets up a week 17 matchup for the division. However, since I've predicted Denver to win, the Bolts will have nothing to play for and will come out flat.

Bears over Packers - home field will be the difference in what looks to be an unbelievably frigid Monday Night Football matchup. I feel for those fans who will be watching their beer freeze over in the stands at Soldier Field.

Enjoy the weekend!