FAVORITE TEAMS

No this is not a typical matchup like any other. No. This is an upset alert matchup. The Eagles see the light for a potential number one seed if San Fran loses at least one more game. They have the roster on offense to field the opportunity, but their defense was questionable since coming off a bye week. They allowed 30.8 points per game in the last five games and their secondary’s a glaring weakness. What’s worse is they’re up against Kyler Murray, who’s been a problem for them from the last meeting. Their numbers haven’t shown up this season since Kyler returned, but him and James Conner together are a major threat. Zona’s defense is low key decent and has a rare opportunity to play the turnover game with Jalen Hurts, which literally comes down to it. Most importantly, Philly has yet to blowout a team since Miami. Arizona returns to Pennsylvania after outplaying Pittsburgh weeks ago. If they can force the issue and keep Philly close or under 20, they have the rarest opportunity to win a big road game. I will be that guy and pick Zona despite being against the red pheasants. Philly could overlook them for the number one seed. Just be aware of it.

MY PICK: CARDINALS

What was supposed to be another week of the most anticipated matchup of the year (and Game of the Week), has downgraded to a mere regular game. The Chiefs/Bengals matchup became a big-time rivalry with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce versus Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Unfortunately, the Bengals are without Burrow, but there’s hope Chase could play if cleared. Backup Jake Browning was well-serviceable for the team, playing through desperation and winning three out of five games to stay alive. But Pittsburgh gave him a reality check thanks to Mason Rudolph (the red-hot Steeler for just that game). The Bengals are in dire need of wins to stay alive for the seventh seed. The Chiefs don’t look human. They are human! The defense is now the strength of the team in the Patrick Mahomes era and will play their butts off to keep them alive. The offense, however, is currently searching for answers. The pass catchers (including Travis Kelce) are the problem, but so are pre-snap penalties by them and the offensive line. Maybe Taylor Swift’s working on her new album about the Chiefs’ offensive woes and Kelce’s sideline expressions. Alright, I’m done with the jokes, but the Chiefs could be on their way to playing their first road playoff game in Mahomes’ career (if they succeed past the wild card game). This is an unusual matchup where both teams must win. The Chiefs must win to clinch the division and playoff berth while the Bengals must win to stay right behind Pittsburgh in hopes for a loss somewhere. Cincinnati was a major problem for Kansas City since Joe Burrow fully took the helm. Well…he’s unavailable and Kansas City’s defense improved after the last four meetings. We know the obvious and the Chiefs must be angry after an unusual loss to the Raiders defense and special teams.

MY PICK: CHIEFS

Sunday Night’s matchup is a do-or-die matchup. Since the Lions claimed the NFC North division, both teams are playing for their playoffs. Green Bay went through hard times on defense with fans hating the life out of defensive coordinator Joe Barry while the Vikings cringed over quarterback Nick Mullens with his interceptions. Both sides have strong weapons, but they’re also glaring weaknesses. However, Green Bay may be in a tougher situation playing on the road at Minnesota where they lost five of their last seven. What’s worse is they lost four of the last seven meetings since the COVID-19 season. Meanwhile, the loss of Kirko Chainz has slowly, but surely felt the effects of the Vikings overall offensive performance. Josh Dobbs had bells while Nick Mullens had whistles, but both failed to mask the offense’s decline with a 3-4 record since Kirk’s injury, including four losses in their last five games. In their last meeting, Kirk Cousins played well before sustaining a season-ending injury to Green Bay. Even with Mullens’ statistical production, somehow, someway, it’ll be his downfall because of his turnovers. Green Bay finds that as their resiliency and a payback victory without Kirk Cousins’ presence on the field.

MY PICK: PACKERS

Both teams are in the playoffs, but there’s still plenty to play for. Both are battling for the two seed and overall seed with help needed. Detroit played up to their expectations thanks to coach Dan Campbell patiently building his foundation. The offense was the building block with Jared Goff and the offensive line, and it continued from there with wideouts led by Amon-Ra St. Brown and rookie Sam LaPorta. Their defense isn’t in 100% full force without CJ GJ, but they’re still a team not to underestimate with Ford-built defensive end Aidan Hutchinson bringing the motor every down. Dallas ran into the AFC East in back-to-back weeks at the most inopportune time, going cold in Buffalo and failing to outplay Miami. They’re back at home where they’re most dominant and comfortable. However, Dak Prescott needs help from the ground game. The passing game’s less of an issue, but they need all hands-on deck from any runner available whether it’s Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, or even fullback Hunter Luepke. Better ball control and lessening the penalties are keys to a bounce back. It’s potentially a back-and-forth scoring affair, but Detroit should bring the physicality and test Dallas’s endurance physically and mentally. While that’s possible, Dallas should be motivated to finish their homestand undefeated.

MY PICK: COWBOYS

This is the most anticipated matchup and Game of the Week that should’ve been flexed to either the afternoon or primetime game (come on NFL!!!). This is also for control of the overall seed, which the Ravens could clinch if they win. Both came off big wins against their NFC opponents in the 49ers and Cowboys. Miami did enough to outplay Dallas physically with their running backs and with finesse from their receivers. Their defense did their job making life difficult for Dak Prescott and the offense and even slammed the door on Tony Pollard and Hunter Luepke early by keeping the ball out of the endzone. The Ravens looked like the better team against the 49ers for most of the game. The defense pressured Brock Purdy from the start, picked him and Sam Darnold off five times (Brock Purdy had 4), and the offense capitalized and dominated the defense for most of the game. Last season, the Ravens thoroughly dominated the Dolphins…for three quarters. Then, Baltimore pressed the brakes altogether in the fourth quarter, allowing an insurmountable (but possible) comeback by the Dolphins scoring 28 points with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle throttling the defense with Tua Tagovailoa throwing for the most passing yards in his career (469 for 6 TDs). Could this happen again? Not likely now that Baltimore is on to Mike McDaniel’s meddling ways. Could it still be a high-scoring game? It’s possible since it’s not technically primetime, so both teams can do as they please. However, the Ravens are a different offense with a defense that should get after Tua this time to claim the overall seed.

MY PICK: RAVENS

OTHER PICKS

JETS AT BROWNS [THURSDAY]

PATRIOTS AT BILLS

FALCONS AT BEARS

RAIDERS AT COLTS

RAMS AT GIANTS

SAINTS AT BUCCANEERS

49ERS AT COMMANDERS

PANTHERS AT JAGUARS

TITANS AT TEXANS

STEELERS AT SEAHAWKS

CHARGERS AT BRONCOS

TOP WEEK 16 RESULTS: 3-2

WEEK 16 TOTAL – 51-31

OVERALL WEEK 16 RESULTS: 8-8

TOTAL RESULTS – 163-87