NFL 2018-19 NFL Week 16 Preview

Quite a few games with big-time playoff ramifications this weekend, which is to be expected at this time of the year.

So much still remains unsettled, and this week might help to clear the playoff picture up before what might promise to be a very chaotic final weekend of regular season action.

Let's take a look at each individual game, and the playoff scenarios - or in some cases, the complete lack thereof - in each contest:



Green Bay at N.Y. Jets - The Jets have obviously not had a wonderful season. But then again, neither have the Packers. In fact, the Pack are in the rare position of not being relevant in the playoff picture for these final weekends, and a large part of the reason has to be that 0-7 road record. That's right. Green Bay has yet to win a single game on the road, and they would like to beat the Jets on the road tomorrow to avoid a winless road record on the year. That would be their motivation for this game, while the Jets just want to notch another rare win, mostly for respect. My guess is that Gang Green gets this win. My pick: N.Y. Jets

N.Y. Giants at Indianapolis - The Giants obviously did not win out the rest of their games, as Odell Beckham suggested. In fact, they are not at all relevant in these final weeks, although they have played much more impressively in the second half of the season than they did in the first half. This weekend, they go to visit the Colts in Indianapolis. The last time the Colts visited there, they won Super Bowl XLVI, although the stakes are considerably less this time around. Still, the Colts are fighting for that final playoff spot, and have a good chance of helping their cause with a win against a beatable team. Yes, Big Blue is not invincible. In fact, I do not like their chances to pull this one off, and win to play spoiler. My pick: Indianapolis

Atlanta at Carolina - Neither of these two teams are going anywhere this year. Both had huge expectations before the season start, and both also looked at least decent by mid-season point. Hell, the Panthers looked like they were threatening to be an elite team. But since then, both franchises have collapsed, and seen a once promising season become a nightmare. Now, in the second to last game this year for both teams, they hope to spark something positive to take away from this season and encourage them during the long off-season, which will start for both clubs much earlier than expected. Frankly, it is hard to tell who will pull this one out, because both teams have shown glimpses of what they could be, and perhaps of what their seasons should have looked like yet both teams have also consistently disappointed throughout this season. If I have to guess, as is the case with these predictions, it would probably be with the home team to finally snap this monstrous losing streak. My pick: Carolina

Tampa Bay at Dallas - Back when I was a kid, these two teams used to meet in the playoffs, it seemed, for a few years. Unfortunately the team that I strongly pulled for, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, always lost those playoff meetings. One of the first games that I remember was when Tampa went down to Dallas in the 1981-82 postseason, and get walloped by the Cowboys, 38-0. The next weekend, Dallas lost to the San Francisco 49ers on "The Catch." That effectively ended the Dallas dynasty of the 1970's and early 1980's, although it was not immediately apparent, as Dallas stayed fairly competitive for a few years yet. Tampa Bay's quarterback, Doug Williams, would go on to Washington and win a Super Bowl for that team.  So, there was greatness in those meetings. Not sure if this meeting can compete, although the 'Boys are a lot closer to that stage than the Bucs are. Dallas has the better team, a very tough defense, and the considerable home field advantage that they enjoy so well. Plus, they have everything to fight for, as not only their playoff hopes, but hopes for a division title and a home game in the playoffs, are riding on the outcome of this game. Tampa is a dangerous threat to play spoiler, but the 'Boys should pull through in this one. My pick: Dallas

Cincinnati at Cleveland - The Bengals might need some serious changes. They have pretty much stayed with the same approach for many years, for a comparable length to other teams, who have enjoyed a lot more success. In fact, while Cincy enjoyed some success during this era of Marvin Lewis, which began early in 2003 - well over a decade and a half ago - they have not gone as far as winning a postseason game, or getting a playoff bye. While the loyalty to Lewis has been admirable, the fact of the matter is that he has had plenty of opportunities to get something strong built up, and he has failed to push this team to rank among the elites within the AFC at any point, really. Now, they rank closer to the bottom, and they are quite far from being even a playoff contender. Meanwhile, they face a Browns team that still is playing strong, and looks motivated. This is a team on their way up, and they would love another opportunity to best their cross-state rivals, which I suspect - strongly suspect - they will manage to do. My pick: Cleveland

Minnesota at Detroit - Neither team has been remarkably consistent this year, which muddies the water when trying to make some sort of prediction. If this game were in Minnesota, it would be much easier, and much more comfortable, to predict a Vikings win. Still, the Lions have hardly played so well at home as to making a trip to their dome in Detroit truly daunting, like it traditionally is with some other franchises, such as New England. But the Vikings have to overcome their own weaknesses on the road, as a 2-4-1 away record has been a major contributor to their struggles this season. They have the better team, particularly on offense, but they need to show it, to seal the deal and make the playoffs an absolute likelihood by winning this one. My guess is that they do. My pick: Minnesota

Houston at Philadelphia - Well, this game is huge! The Visiting Texans will have to brace the cold weather of the northeast in order to keep alive their hopes of playing all of their games in the comfortable confines of their dome down in Houston. On the other hand, a loss, coupled with a New England win, might see them lose that valuable playoff bye altogether, which they presently have. Meanwhile, the defending champs simply need to win to keep alive their playoff hopes, and even their somewhat dimmer hopes for a division title. They really have no margin for error, and so they cannot afford to lose this game. Obviously, they would love a chance to defend their title. While they have hardly been very consistent this season, I do believe that the Eagles can still fly at east at times this season, and they should be able to do it in this game. My pick: Philadelphia

Buffalo at New England - The Pats never seemed to fully click or look like themselves this season. They were beginning to with a winning streak that followed a dismal 1-2 start. But since then, they are losing more often than they are winning, and they just do not look like the same team with the killer instinct. That is particularly true with their road games, although at least the good news is that for the duration of the regular season, they only have home games remaining. Also, they control their own destiny. Win tomorrow at home against the Bills, and they clinch the AFC East, and stay alive for a potential playoff bye. They have a lot to fight for, and they will be able to play from the comforts of home, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, where they rarely lose. They have yet to lose there so far this season, and I suspect that they should have enough to get past the Bills tomorrow. My pick: New England

Jacksonville at Miami - The battle of the two AFC Florida franchises. The Dolphins have everything to fight for, as they are trying desperately to cling to their flickering playoff hopes. The Jaguars could potentially play the role of spoiler, although would be a tall order going on the road, where they have gone 1-5 so far this season. Also, the Dolphins are very tough at home, with a 6-1 home mark. They also have the better team, and they clearly need to win this to keep their playoff hopes alive. No reason to expect them not to get past Jax on this weekend. My pick: Miami

L.A. Rams at Arizona - The Rams have lost a lot of ground in the past couple of weeks. It is hard to believe that they were 11-1, with clearly the best record in the league and the inside track to winning home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs just two short weeks ago. Now, they have lost two straight, lost control of home field advantage to New Orleans, and need to keep winning just to stay ahead of the Bears for that second seed spot, which of course comes with a playoff bye. So, they cannot afford to lose this one. The Cardinals could play spoilers, but they have been a consistently terrible team this season, and their 1-6 record at home is the worst home record of any team in the league. No reason to believe that Arizona will spoil the Rams hopes and chances, at least for this weekend. My pick: L.A. Rams

Chicago at San Francisco - These two teams used to have high stakes meetings regularly, with the 49ers almost always getting the better of these games, in the eighties and nineties. They met in the playoffs three times from 1984-1994, with San Fran winning each one by blowout (23-0 in 1984, 28-3 in Chicago in 1988, and 41-14 in 1994). Each time, the Niners went on to win the Super Bowl. The stakes are not nearly as high this time, especially for the 49ers. But they have been coming on of late, playing their best football in recent weeks. But Chicago enters this game as one of the hottest teams, with a real possibility at taking that playoff bye away from the Rams, and getting it for themselves. Obviously, the Bears would really love to do that, and they are good enough - especially on defense - to get past San Francisco in this one. My pick: Chicago

Pittsburgh at New Orleans - Both of these teams lead their respective divisions right now. The Saints are comfortably ahead, having already clinched their division, and wanting to wrap up home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win today. The Steelers are just trying to hang on, as the Ravens are relentlessly on their heels, threatening to take over in their division. A road game in New Orleans is very tough, and the Steelers just want to win to stay ahead of rising Baltimore. The Saints have been struggling on offense lately, and they would love to get past all of those problems and put on a statement performance today, and get the win to put all doubts to bed, at least until they take the field for their first playoff game. I like the Saints to do that, and beat Pittsburgh at home in this game to win the battles of black and gold teams. My pick: New Orleans

Sunday Night Football

Kansas City at Seattle - Another huge game, with a lot of playoff ramifications. Given the Chargers surprising loss last night, the Chiefs can finally wrap up the AFC West, and home field advantage along with it, with a win up in Seattle. But that is not a simple prospect, especially with that 12th man, and the tough and gritty style of play that the Seahawks thrive in. They are especially tough at home, and they need this win to stay ahead in the NFC playoff race. But as tough as Seattle can be, that loss last week in San Fran might prove costly. They have another tough red and gold team this weekend with the explosive Chiefs, so the Seahawks will have their hands full trying to slow them down or, failing that, trying to keep up, It could go badly for either team, but my best guess is that the hometown Seahawks pull this one off. My pick: Seattle