Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you and yours have a great holiday. There are just 2 weeks left in the season, and this week features some games that are going to undoubtedly have huge impacts on the playoff race in both conferences. I’m not sure why, but I always find Week 16 to be a ton of fun. Perhaps it’s the holiday spirit! I went 12-4 in Week 15, bringing total record in 2020 to 129-62-1. Let’s get into this week’s picks:
Saints 24-22 Vikings 
In the last decade or so, both of these squads have given the other plenty of reason to absolutely hate each other, so what’s better than squaring off on Christmas? These teams always play each other close, with the games typically going either way. I don’t think this will be any exception. The Saints offense was sputtering a bit against Kansas City last week, which isn’t very inspiring. However, I think they’ll be able to bounce back against a team that isn’t anywhere as good as the Chiefs are. This game will come down to defense, and the Saints definitely have the edge in that regard. They also have something to play for, unlike the Vikings.
Buccaneers 30-21 Lions 
Tom Brady returns to Michigan for a Saturday showdown with the Lions that shouldn’t be very close. However, like I said in my most recent Power Rankings, the Bucs are an absolute enigma. I never know what I’m going to get with this team. I don’t see a scenario where they lose this game, but I think Matt Stafford can keep the Lions in it for some time. I can see it being much closer than just 9 points, but I’ll give Tampa the benefit of the doubt.
Cardinals 34-20 49ers 
San Francisco has been falling apart week after week, and their defense can’t stop a nosebleed. This is very good news for Kyler Murray and the Cardinals, who have been on absolute fire offensively in the last 2 weeks. This one will not be close. I expect another massive game for Murray and WR DeAndre Hopkins. It’s safe to say that they might be instrumental in some people’s fantasy championships.
Dolphins 23-17 Raiders 
This was once a very interesting matchup between two strong Wild Card teams in the AFC. Now, it’s an easy win for the Dolphins. The Raiders have been in shambles this entire month, and Miami has done nothing but trend upwards. Their defense should completely shut down the Raiders, whether Derek Carr or Marcus Mariota is starting at QB. I trust Tua and their offense to do just enough to win the game late. I might be giving the Raiders too much credit with this score. Don’t be surprised if this one isn’t close.
Chiefs 35-24 Falcons 
Kansas City has channeled a bit of their inner Atlanta with their leads almost being blown in recent weeks, but unlike the Falcons, the Chiefs are an actually good and respectable team that can win games. This game should not be close, but the Falcons offense tends to show flashes from time to time. The Chiefs defense isn’t something to rave about, so don’t be surprised if the over hits in this one. In any case, it’ll be an easy win for the best team football.
Browns 31-17 Jets 
The Jets completed their biggest embarrassment by finally winning a game last week, so it’s safe to say that won’t be happening again in 2020. They’ll need a miracle, but they are still in play for Trevor Lawrence. I think they need to try their absolute hardest to lose, and pray even harder for a Jaguars win in these next 2 weeks. This will be easy pickings for a Browns team that has looked nothing short of elite in recent weeks.
Colts 21-20 Steelers 
I would say that this is the Game of the Week, but it’s just the Colts, an elite team, against a terrible team. Yes, I’ve been doing nothing but stomp on the Steelers in recent weeks, but I do think they’ll keep things close this week. They won’t win, because they seemingly forgot how to do that, but this game will certainly come down to the wire. JuJu said he would stop making TikToks before the game, and while I’m not sure that is the solution for this team’s problems, I’m very excited to see that he is growing up. In a spot like this, I have to trust Indy with their exceptional running game and their elite defense to make plays and win the game late against a team that is reeling more than anyone in football.
Bears 28-10 Jaguars 
You would think that, now that the Jaguars have the #1 pick in their hands, they will lie down and die for the next 2 weeks. However, this is the NFL, and anything can happen on any given Sunday. That being said, this will be another loss for Jacksonville. The Bears are red hot, especially offensively, and they know they need to win to stay alive in the NFC. They need some help as well, but I trust in their ability to take care of their own business and beat a very bad team.
Ravens 26-14 Giants 
This one could be ugly. I’m giving the Giants defense some credit here, but after the last 2 weeks, it’s not with a lot of confidence. I don’t see a path to victory for New York, but I know that they can give Lamar Jackson some fits, which could make things interesting. Even in that case, the Ravens will still be able to win this game quite easily on the back of their defense and their run game. If not, then things could get very spicy in both the AFC Wild Card race and in the NFC East.
Texans 27-17 Bengals 
Both of these teams are very, very bad. This is the type of game where you can’t see either team winning, but I have to pick the Texans. I simply think they have more talent and more offensive firepower to make some big plays to win the game. The Bengals played their best game of the season in their biggest game of the year on Monday night against the Steelers, and it’s hard to win another game after such an emotional win. It will likely be close, but I definitely think Houston pulls this one out.
Chargers 28-24 Broncos 
The first meeting between these teams earlier this year was a great game with an incredible finish, and I think the rematch could be very fun as well. Both of these teams have been playing well recently, but the Broncos are coming off an absolute thrashing at the hands of the Bills. While I do think they might be a bit better overall than the Chargers are, LA is certainly better right now, and I can see them continuing to trend upwards with another win, especially at home. It’s honestly a toss-up for me, but considering the way the Chargers have played against the division this year, I’ll put my trust in them.
Washington 22-19 Carolina 
I can’t believe I’m picking Dwayne Haskins to win a game, but I have to put my faith in him. I have no other choice. In a week filled with turmoil, the WFT now could win the NFC East on Sunday. All they need to do is win this game and hope the Ravens don’t get upset by the Giants. It’ll be Haskins under center once again, and if he doesn’t play atrocious football like he did against Seattle last week, then this team should be set for a win. The defense can make just enough plays to put the offense in a position to win it. Thankfully, Carolina isn’t too much of a threat, especially against a defense as good as Washington’s. If this all goes to plan, then we get that x next to our names. I am praying that it all goes to plan.
Eagles 27-24 Cowboys 
Philly has seemingly found a new QB in Jalen Hurts, who has been playing very well in his first NFL starts. With Hurts under center, this looks like a completely different Eagles team. I think they have the confidence and the new juice to be able to beat a team as weak as the Cowboys are. They’ve already proven they can beat an elite team like the Saints. While Dallas has been playing well in recent weeks, it has been against very bad competition. This game will be close, as many division games are, but the Birds should be able to pull it out.
Rams 26-23 Seahawks 
This game is absolutely massive in the NFC West. The winner of this game will undoubtedly win the division, and with the way both of these teams have been playing all season long, it could easily go either way. The Rams won the first meeting quite convincingly, and while they’ve played very well since then, they played an absolutely awful game against the pathetic Jets last week. Meanwhile, Seattle has been beating up on some bad teams and finally starting to get things figured out defensively. It seems like they’ve finally plugged their one hole and are ready to make a run. However, I saw how badly they were shut down by LA in the first game, and I can’t get that out of my head. I have to take the Rams here based on precedent, although it almost doesn’t feel right. It would not shock me at all if it goes the other way, but I’m sticking with my gut.
Titans 24-21 Packers 
This is probably the Game of the Week. Hell, it’s almost the Game of the Year on paper. The implications that this game will have on both the NFC and AFC playoff pictures are infinite. The 1 seed in the NFC, the AFC South title, potential AFC Wild Card seedings, and so much more are all on the line on Sunday night. It’s going to be a great game with both teams playing very hard for very similar reasons. Normally, I’d take a team as experienced as Green Bay with a QB as good as Aaron Rodgers, but I’m taking Tennessee here. The Titans just have too much going for them in a matchup like this. Their run game is arguably the best in football, and we’ve seen the Packers struggle against elite running offenses. QB Ryan Tannehill has been fantastic this year, and with the help of RB Derrick Henry, could easily pick apart a Green Bay defense that isn’t anything special. I think this game comes down to the Titans defense stopping the Packers prolific offense. If they can do just enough to let their offense go out and win it, then I have a lot of faith in Tennessee to come out with a win. Either way, I think this game will be great.
Bills 27-20 Patriots 
New England played Buffalo very closely in their first matchup in 2020, and that’s the only reason that I’m predicting a close game here. The Bills are obviously significantly better than the Patriots are, but division games and matchups against Bill Belichick are never easy. I can definitely see this game going wire to wire, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the Bills roll again. In any case, Buffalo will leave Foxboro with another W under their belt.
Raza Talks Sports 