NFL picks for a tiring Week 16

NFL and the College Football Playoff on the same day? Why?

In years past, I always kind of liked the NFL Saturday games this time of year. They came after the college football conference championships but before the mad rush of the important bowl/playoff games.

This year, I’m annoyed by them. NFL games during the first round of the College Football Playoff? Ugh. I’m already tired just thinking about it.

Actually, I’m tired because I haven’t had a good night’s sleep all week due to the major plumbing repairs that were being done right outside my bedroom window. But I digress.

Before I fall asleep while typing — wouldn’t be the first time! — let me get to my picks for Saturday (boo), Sunday, and Monday. They’re in bold below, along with the odds from DraftKings.

Texans at Chiefs (-3.5)

Steelers at Ravens (-6.5)

Eagles at Commanders (+3.5)

Lions at Bears (+6.5)

Browns at Bengals (-8.5)

Rams at Jets (+3)

Giants at Falcons (-8.5)

Cardinals at Panthers (+4.5)

Titans at Colts (-3.5)

Vikings at Seahawks (+3)

Patriots at Bills (-14)

49ers at Dolphins (+1)

Jaguars at Raiders (-1.5)

Buccaneers at Cowboys (+4)

Saints at Packers (-14)

And as usual, you can check out Christian’s picks at FTW.

Now let’s run through the matchups fljaflgejlijxxzzzzz….. Oops, sorry. I’m awake, I’m awake!

Week 16 picks

Chiefs over Texans

We’ve been down this road before. Patrick Mahomes has an ankle injury and you think maaaybe the Chiefs will actually lose. But then he plays like he’s not even hurt and KC wins.

Ravens over Steelers

The first time these two met this season, I believed Lamar Jackson would finally get another win over the Steelers (he’s 1-4 as a starter in his career against them). That didn’t happen, so why not double-down on it?

Eagles over Commanders

The Commanders have nine wins … and none of those came against a team that currently has a winning record.

Lions over Bears

The Bears gave the Lions a scare on Thanksgiving, and this week they’re back in Chicago facing a banged-up Detroit team. But the Lions haven’t lost two in a row since October 2022.

Bengals over Browns

The Browns are giving Dorian Thompson-Robinson a chance to start, but that might not solve Cleveland’s turnover issues. DTR threw two picks against the Bengals earlier this season in relief of Deshaun Watson.

Rams over Jets

A Sean McVay team getting hot at just the right time? Yeah, we’ve seen this before too.

Falcons over Giants

I don’t know what kind of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will be in the NFL, but surely he’ll be better than what Kirk Cousins has been doing lately, right?

Cardinals over Panthers

My only miss last week was picking the Panthers to win. I won’t make that mistake again!

Colts over Titans

Mason Rudolph, as sad as it is to say, gives the Titans a better chance to win than Will Levis would have, but I like the Colts protecting home field against a bad opponent.

Seahawks over Vikings

The Vikings are a good team, but I’m not sure they’re a “only two losses” type of good team, so I keep waiting for them to drop another game. Maybe this is the week?

Bills over Patriots

I don’t think Jerod Mayo is coaching for his job, but I feel a little sorry for him that the Patriots have to play the Bills twice in the final three weeks of the season.

49ers over Dolphins

Last week, my “don’t bet on Mike McDaniel against other members of the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree” reasoning paid off. Let’s try it again against the head of that tree.

Jaguars over Raiders

Honestly, this was my toughest pick to make of the week and I thought about it way more than anyone should think about this game.

Buccaneers over Cowboys

The Bucs, like the Rams, are getting healthier — and winning — at the right time.

Packers over Saints

The Packers will be in the postseason with a win, so early congrats on that playoff berth, Green Bay.