Playoff NFL Pick Predictions for Week 16: Chargers too little too late as usual

Playoff Implications

There are two remaining games in the NFL regular season. Those two games are what separate, for many teams, the difference between going to the post season and watching the post season. This weekend’s matchups should create a much clearer playoff picture. This article will discuss the matchups and predict the winners.

New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins

The New England Patriots are playing for the #1 Seed in the AFC. Currently, they are the only team in the AFC with an 11-3 record. This week they will play a 5-9 Dolphins team who have won 5 of the last 7 games. If the Patriots win and the Ravens, Steelers, and Texans lose they will clinch the #1 Seed. I don’t sense that happening but I do predict a 35-20 Patriots victory.

New York Jets vs. New York Giants

Currently both teams decide their own fate. The Jets currently have the #6 seed in the playoffs. If the Jets win this game they might be able to clinch that spot depending on what the Titans, Broncos, Raiders, and Chargers do. The Giants basically need to win out to get a playoff spot. Last week’s loss to the Redskins was very damaging but I sense the Giants coming together for this game. I do predict a 24-21 New York Giants victory eliminating the Eagles.

Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos currently have a 1 game lead in the AFC West race. A victory on Saturday would eliminate the Chiefs and put pressure on the Chargers and Raiders to win or be eliminated. The Buffalo Bills are currently on a 7 game losing streak. I knew it was a bad decision to resign Fitzpatrick to that kind of money. He doesn’t have the arm strength to play effectively in Buffalo. I sense the Broncos narrowly defeating the Bills 16-10 and knocking the Chiefs out of the playoffs.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. St. Louis Rams

Steelers had the chance to defeat the 49ers and be in first place of the AFC North and be in the driver seat for the #1 Seed in the playoffs. The loss drops them to the #5 spot. The Steelers need another Ravens loss and to win out in order to get back on top of the AFC North. This week they get an early Christmas gift by playing the Rams. How do the Rams even have 2 victories? I think a 35-7 Steelers victory is in order.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns

The Ravens dodged a bullet with the Steelers losing to the 49ers. The Ravens need to rebound from a crushing loss at San Diego. With the Ravens struggles on the road they need to pass the Texans and Patriots to ensure home field advantage. I do not sense the Ravens passing the Patriots so the best they can hope for is the #2 Seed. A victory on Saturday would put pressure on the Texans. The Ravens will win 24-13 over the Browns.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Arizona Cardinals

Both teams are battling for the last Wild Card spot in their conferences. A victory is needed for the Cardinals or else they are eliminated. If the Bengals lose they still could get a playoff spot but would need the Jets to lose out. Push come to shove both teams are evenly matched but I will take the Bengals since they are at home to win 20-17 and knock the Cardinals out of the playoffs.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans

The Colts got their one win out of the way and I think they tank the next two games in order to secure Andrew Luck. The Texans are currently the #2 Seed in the playoffs. They have the Steelers and Ravens breathing down their neck. With all the injuries the Texans have they are very lucky they play the Colts this week. The Texans will win 30-17.

Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Titans actually lost to the Colts last week. They are still in the playoff race but would need multiple teams to lose to get into the playoffs. I think the Titans could defeat the Jaguars but I am losing confidence in the Titans. I think the Jaguars pull off a 17-13 upset and knock the Titans out of the playoffs and clinch the #6 seed for the Bengals.

Oakland Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Romeo Crennel is playing for a HC spot in Kansas City. He held the HC spot before in Clevelandwith mixed results. I thought his game planning vs. the Packers was amazing. I expect similar success vs. the floundering Raiders. I predict a 23-14 Chiefs victory and the Raiders to be eliminated from the playoffs.

Detroit Lions vs. San Diego Chargers

Wow, this game is between two exciting and unpredictable teams. Phillip Rivers and Matthew Stafford are among the next line of elite quarterbacks. Rivers has yet to lead the Chargers to playoff success and Matthew Stafford has yet to play a game this important. With the Chargers 2-4 road record I think the Lions get a victory. I think a 35-27 Lions victory, which will eliminate the Chargers and Seahawks from the playoffs and guarantee the Lions a Wild Card spot.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Dallas Cowboys have been coasting along lately. Their really isn’t a game I have been overly impressed with out of this bunch. The Eagles are playing up to their potential lately and with news of a Giants victory, they will go out and take care of business on Saturday with a 35-21 victory.

Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are playing for the #2 Seed in the NFC. The Seahawks are now eliminated from the playoffs (based on my earlier predictions). I think the 49ers cruise through this game because of their ability to shut down the Seahawks run game and the fact that Alex Smith does not turn the ball over much. 49ers win 27-10.

Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints

Both teams are playing at an elite level. Earlier in the season in New Orleans this game went down to the wire. If the Falcons win they clinch the #5 seed; if the Saints win they stay alive for the #2 Seed. Unfortunately this game is played indoors and the Saints are nearly unbeatable indoors. Saints win 42-28.

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

With news that the Bears are eliminated and the fact they are playing Green Baywith Caleb Hanie at QB…this game is going to get ugly. Packers 31-7 victory and eliminate the Bears from the Playoffs and the Packers clinched the #1 Spot in the playoffs.

Teams eliminated from Playoffs this week

Tennessee Titans

Seattle Seahawks

Kansas City Chiefs

Oakland Raiders

San DiegoChargers

Arizona Cardinals

Philadelphia Eagles

Chicago Bears

Teams that clinched a Playoff spot

DenverBroncos

DetroitLions

Teams that are still alive

New YorkJets

CincinnatiBengals

DallasCowboys

New YorkGiants

Thoughts?

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