Andersen Pickard makes his game picks for Week 16.
The PTST staff will make its picks for the entire season, adding to cumulative records listed at the bottom of every article. (Failure to accurately predict a tie will be treated as a loss.) An archive of all 18 regular-season and four playoff editions can be found here.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans
Andersen: 49ers 25, Titans 21
The 49ers have played tremendous football lately and could be a sneaky-good Super Bowl pick. Don’t expect them to waver even when they face a Titans team that has its fair share of playoff legitimacy, too.
Cleveland Browns vs. Green Bay Packers
Andersen: Packers 37, Browns 17
This one could be a trouncing. Regardless of what the Browns’ COVID-19 situation looks like, Green Bay should win by multiple scores. Quarterback gossip will re-ignite across social media and the radio early next week.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Arizona Cardinals
Andersen: Colts 27, Cardinals 17
Give Jonathan Taylor the ball and he’s going to do something absurd with it. As long as the Colts keep the ball in Taylor’s hands and don’t rely on Carson Wentz too much, they’ll hand the Cardinals their third consecutive loss.
Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons
Andersen: Lions 23, Falcons 21
We could be in for a solid game between Detroit and Atlanta on Sunday. Although defensive prowess will be lacking in this one, it will be fun to watch the two sides battle back and forth. As long as Jared Goff returns from the COVID-19 list, he’ll lead the Lions to the win.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings
Andersen: Rams 31, Vikings 27
Both of these teams have the potential to be strong and formidable. However, the Vikings have lost Dalvin Cook to a positive COVID-19 test while the Rams are still trying to navigate an outbreak of their own. Unfortunately for Minnesota, losing Cook for such a big matchup will be too challenging to overcome. Los Angeles by a score.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets
Andersen: Jets 21, Jaguars 13
It’s a miracle that the Jaguars even have two wins this season. They claimed sole possession of the No. 1 pick last week and will hold on to it for the rest of the season. Even with Urban Meyer fired, Jacksonville is still on track to finish 2-15. The Jets, meanwhile, snag their fourth win of 2021 thanks to a three-score day from Zach Wilson.
New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Andersen: Eagles 28, Giants 14
Perhaps if Daniel Jones and Sterling Shepard were healthy, this would be a closer game. However, the latter tore his Achilles while the former has been shut down due to a neck issue. With Jake Fromm at the helm of this ailing offense, not much is going right for New York. Philly should have no trouble winning by two scores as Jalen Hurts shows off his stardom in this one.
Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots
Andersen: Patriots 23, Bills 21
We’re in for a treat with this AFC East battle. Last time out, the Patriots got the edge on the road. However, they were aided by raining conditions. Now, the two sides will grind it out in New England. Look for the Pats to clinch a division title and drop the Bills to 8-7.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Andersen: Bengals 34, Ravens 28
The Ravens have fallen apart as of late. A pair of confusing late-game decisions from John Harbaugh has erased the Ravens’ shot at the No. 1 spot in the AFC and instead dropped them out of the playoff picture. Division-mate Cincinnati will further this effort by defeating the Ravens in Week 16. Look for a big game from Ja’Marr Chase as he exposes a weak Baltimore secondary.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans
Andersen: Chargers 41, Texans 13
The Texans are not the worst team in the NFL, but they’re close. And the Chargers aren’t the best team in football, but they, too, are on the precipice. Coming off a narrow loss to the Chiefs, Los Angeles will use this game against Houston to get right and lay down a much-needed beating.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers
Andersen: Buccaneers 24, Panthers 11
It will be interesting to see how the Buccaneers look without Chris Godwin or Leonard Fournette in their offense. Although we’ll find out soon enough, there won’t be any clarity in Week 16. After all, the Bucs play a Panthers team that has looked brutally incompetent for several months. After an embarrassing shutout loss last week, Tampa Bay should win by multiple scores on Sunday.
Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks
Andersen: Seahawks 17, Bears 14
The Seahawks are unpredictable. There have been times where they’ve looked really poor this season, but they still held their own against the Rams as recently as Tuesday night. Seattle should do enough to secure a win against Matt Nagy, Justin Fields, and the woeful Bears.
Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Andersen: Raiders 13, Broncos 10
Just as it seemed like the Broncos were going to make a strong run, Teddy Bridgewater suffered a serious concussion. As such, Drew Lock will draw the start for Denver this week. Although he’s one of the better backups in the league, there’s still a reason that he didn’t start over Bridgewater. Quite simply, Lock will make too many mistakes and ensure Denver loses a close divisional battle.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Andersen: Steelers 27, Chiefs 24
It feels like an upset is brewing in Kansas City. With Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill on the COVID-19 list, the Steelers should have an easier job containing the Chiefs’ passing offense. On the other side of the ball, a very strong offensive play-calling effort will secure the win for the Steelers, pushing Pittsburgh to second in the AFC North.
Washington Football Team vs. Dallas Cowboys
Andersen: Cowboys 31, Football Team 14
Just like when these two teams met in Week 14, the rematch on Sunday night will fall in Dallas’ favor. Although the Washington defense is trending in the right direction, the offense leaves a lot to be desired. Taylor Heinicke has merely been serviceable, and it looks like the Football Team could be without both Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic for this one. On the other hand, Dallas has a relentless defense and should do enough on offense to pick up the win.
Miami Dolphins vs. New Orleans Saints
Andersen: Dolphins 23, Saints 10
Miami has won six in a row and will make it seven against the Saints on Sunday night. New Orleans, fresh off a statement win over the Buccaneers, received word that Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian won’t play in Week 16 due to COVID-19 protocols. As such, rookie Ian Book will draw the start for the Saints. Sean Payton will design a game plan that reduces pressure on the Notre Dame product, but it won’t be enough. A red-hot Miami team will cruise into New Orleans and inch even closer to a miraculous playoff berth.
Records
Sam: 129-95 (57.6%)
Joe: 101-79 (56.1%)
Andersen: 139-85 (62.1%)
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