Gridiron Blitz: Week 16 Preview

Music to listen to: Raise your Weapon by Deadmau5

Quick picks for Week 16 of the NFL season (home team in CAPS):

Houston (-7) INDIANAPOLIS: The Colts are still sorry, don’t let last week’s win over Jacksonville fool you.

Oakland (+2) KANSAS CITY: I know it would be easy to take the Chiefs at home after their win at home over Green Bay and the Raiders fourth-quarter collapse against the Lions at home themselves. However, the entire AFC West has been a mass of confusion and I see the trend continuing here.

BUFFALO (+3) Denver: I think the Broncos’ offense got exposed in the loss to New England last Sunday. I know the counter to that is the Bills’ defense allowed Reggie Bush to rush for 200 yards last week and Denver’s rushing attack is better than Miami’s. However, I expect the Bills to get some open passing lanes and throw themselves into a victory.

TENNESSEE (-7) Jacksonville: Play Jake Locker, Tennessee coaching staff. The Jaguars may have the least amount of talent playing at this moment as a unit and that even includes All-Pro candidate Maurice Jones-Drew.

CINCINNATI (-4) Arizona: I like what Skelton has done at quarterback for Arizona but I’m a believer in Andy Dalton and especially AJ Green for the Bengals.

NEW ENGLAND (-9.5) Miami: The Dolphins used to be the Patriots’ toughest opponent in the AFC East a few years ago but that has changed recently. The Patriots are playing for home-field advantage in the playoffs and will push the pace against a game but overmatched Dolphins squad.

BALTIMORE (-12.5) Cleveland: The Ravens get healthy against the Browns at home after dropping that contest at San Diego last Sunday night.

NY Giants (+3) NY JETS: Neither team is inspiring much hope for the fan bases but I’m taking Eli Manning over Mark Sanchez.

WASHINGTON (-6.5) Minnesota: Nothing on this game…

CAROLINA (-7.5) Tampa: I still believe in Raheem Morris, even with the Bucs having a disappointing season. However, Tampa will still lose this game at Carolina

St. Louis (+14) PITTSBURGH: The Steelers will still win this game but the line is too high for my taste…

DETROIT (-2.5) San Diego: I know the Chargers have been playing better lately but this may be the lock of the week for picking games.

San Francisco (-2.5) SEATTLE: The Seahawks always play tough at home but the 49ers are clearly the better team. San Francisco has the best defense in the NFL, especially against the run. When Marshawn Lynch is stopped for Seattle, where’s the rest of the offense coming from?

DALLAS (-1.5) Philadelphia: I can see numerous outcomes for this contest but ultimately predicting a Cowboys victory.

GREEN BAY (-13) Chicago: If the Packers play everyone the whole contest, they could win this contest by three touchdowns. However, I think starters begin to get pulled in the third quarter and the Packers win by 14 points.

NEW ORLEANS (-6.5) Atlanta: The Falcons have quietly had a solid season but the Saints are pushing for a playoff bye and won’t have a letdown against their biggest rival at home.