Betting
12/19/24
10 min read
2024 NFL Week 16: Expert Picks, Predictions For Every Game
Playoff races are coming down to the wire in both conferences, and NFL Week 16 features some key matchups with pivotal postseason implications.
Several teams have chances to clinch playoff berths with wins and a little help this weekend. It's the week before a wild Christmas slate, but let's dive into the lines and predictions for Week 16 before the chaotic holiday schedule.
NFL Week 16 Expert Picks, Predictions
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Spread: Chargers -2.5
Total: 41.5
It's looking increasingly likely that both of these AFC West teams will make the playoffs. However, a loss by one of these teams will put added pressure on them in their final two games.
Both teams come into Thursday Night Football with top-flight defenses, but the quarterbacks will likely be the differentiator in this one. For as well as Bo Nix has played this season, his five interceptions in the last two games are cause for concern. This game will come down to winning the turnover battle and field position, but short fields could mean some easier scoring than Vegas is expecting.
Prediction: Chargers 27, Broncos 20
Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Spread: Chiefs -3.5
Total: 41.5
It sounds like Patrick Mahomes' injury was a bit overblown, as the Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback has been a full participant in practice.
Even still, a physically limited Mahomes will be going against the No. 1 defense by DVOA in the Houston Texans. On the other side of the football, C.J. Stroud hasn't looked nearly as polished of a quarterback in his second season, and the Chiefs defense is no pushover.
This could turn into an ugly rock fight, with the Chiefs winning by some miraculous last-second play for the billionth time this season.
Prediction: Chiefs 21, Texans 20
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Spread: Ravens -6.5
Total: 45.5
Mike Tomlin seems to have Lamar Jackson's number, and yet the Baltimore Ravens are still heavy favorites in Sunday's game.
Jackson is just 2-5 in his career against the Pittsburgh Steelers, throwing five touchdowns compared to eight interceptions. The Steelers defense avoided a major scare after T.J. Watt appeared to suffer a major injury, only to be diagnosed with an ankle sprain. He's expected to play on Sunday against Baltimore.
The Steelers' bigger question is with George Pickens because, without him, the offense lacks a much-needed spark. Still, this is a balanced Steelers team looking to secure a divisional title with a win on Sunday, and there's a good chance they can pull it off if they shut down Baltimore's two-headed monster in Jackson and Derrick Henry.
Prediction: Steelers 24, Ravens 16
Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Spread: Bengals -7.5
Total: 46.5
Even though neither of these teams have anything to play for the rest of the season, both teams are providing entertaining products in the last few weeks.
Unfortunately, the Cleveland Browns' biggest attraction, Jameis Winston, has been benched in favor of Dorian Thompson-Robinson. An inexperienced quarterback likely won't be able to air it out as much against the Cincinnati Bengals' struggling defense, while the Bengals should have no problem pouring it on in what has serious blowout potential.
Prediction: Bengals 38, Browns 14
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers
Spread: Cardinals -4.5
Total: 46.5
This might have been a write-off game at the beginning of the year, but this should be one of the more interesting matchups of the early afternoon slate on Sunday.
The Carolina Panthers have been surprisingly frisky in recent weeks, with Bryce Young looking a lot more like a former No. 1 overall pick since returning from his benching.
Even still, this Panthers team doesn't have enough talent to take down a playoff contender in the Arizona Cardinals, who still feel like they have yet to play their best football this year.
Prediction: Cardinals 28, Panthers 24
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders
Spread: Eagles -3.5
Total: 45.5
The game of the week may not be getting primetime treatment, but the NFC East battle will have major implications in the playoff seeding for both teams.
While the Philadelphia Eagles are fighting for a first-round bye, the Washington Commanders are trying to secure a wild card spot and potentially a No. 6 seed if they can outlast the Green Bay Packers.
However, this Eagles team is looking way too dominant to slow down now. Jalen Hurts and the passing team showed they can still air it out last week, and Vin Fangio's defense is too talented to let a rookie quarterback beat them.
Prediction: Eagles 27, Commanders 17
New York Giants vs. Atlanta Falcons
Spread: Falcons -8.5
Total: 42.5
The New York Giants might be one of the worst teams in the NFL, but an 8.5-point spread feels pretty drastic for a matchup against a rookie QB making his first start as a pro.
Michael Penix Jr. has all the talent in the world to be successful, but there are going to be some rough moments for the first-round rookie in his first NFL start. That's just the nature of the position and the understandable nerves that come with it.
The Atlanta Falcons should still win this game, but the Giants might be able to do enough to keep it closer than the spread indicates.
Prediction: Falcons 20, Giants 14
Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts
Spread: Colts -3.5
Total: 42.5
How can the Indianapolis Colts come back from such a disappointing collapse last week?
A fumble at the goal line completely flipped the script in Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos, effectively ending any hopes of reaching the playoffs. It's hard to get back up a week later for a game against the struggling Tennessee Titans, even if it's a divisional matchup.
Anthony Richardson should be able to make a handful of plays, but the Colts likely don't have enough juice to pull away in this one after such a frustrating loss last week.
Prediction: Titans 26, Colts 20
Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears
Spread: Lions -6.5
Total: 47.5
The word "decimated" doesn't even properly describe the defense of the Detroit Lions. The unit is completely depleted to the point there are serious concerns about their ability to make a Super Bowl run.
Despite all of that, the Lions' offense is still an electric unit, even without bell cow running back David Montgomery. Jared Goff is playing at a borderline MVP-caliber level, while offensive coordinator Ben Johnson keeps finding creative ways to find the end zone.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears look like a team ready for the offseason.
Prediction: Lions 31, Bears, 10
Los Angeles Rams vs. New York Jets
Spread: Rams -3
Total: 46.5
One of the more surprising spreads of the weekend belongs to the Los Angeles Rams, as they are only a three-point favorite against the New York Jets.
Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are finally looking like the duo from their Packers days, but the team is eliminated from the playoffs and isn't playing for much at this point. Meanwhile, the Rams have everything to play for, including an NFC West title.
A healthy offense and a young and exciting defense have the Rams looking like a legitimate threat in the NFC playoff race. Sunday should be an opportunity to remind the rest of the league about that.
Prediction: Rams 27, Jets 13
Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks
Spread: Vikings -3.5
Total: 43.5
The Seattle Seahawks should have Geno Smith back for this game, which is a huge relief after he exited last week's game following a low hit.
Green Bay completely dominated the matchup in the trenches, and while that could be a sign that Seattle isn't as dominant up front as we previously thought, it will also give them some extra motivation going against another playoff-caliber team in the Minnesota Vikings this week.
The Vikings are back in the hunt for the No. 1 seed, but this feels like a trap game for a team that hasn't had many slip-ups this season.
Prediction: Seahawks 23, Vikings 20
New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
Spread: Bills -14.5
Total: 46.5
A two-touchdown spread is a massive one for the NFL's hottest team, but the Buffalo Bills might not have the same juice to bring in this one after a big win against the Detroit Lions last week.
Drake Maye has been fun, but the rest of the New England Patriots roster is a mess. The Bills should be able to come away with an easy win and some more stats to build up Allen's MVP case, but they might take their foot off of the gas just enough for the Patriots to cover the spread as they set their sights on the playoffs.
Prediction: Bills 34, Patriots, 21
San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins
Spread: Dolphins -1.5
Total: 44.5
It's a reunion for Kyle Shanahan and Mike McDaniel, but the big brother in this situation should be in a position for the upset.
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa had one of his worst games as a pro last week, throwing for 196 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions in a loss to the Houston Texans. With all of the distractions around De'Vondre Campbell this past week, the San Francisco 49ers' defense should have extra motivation to rally around each other and make things that much harder for Miami's offense this week.
The bigger question is whether Brock Purdy can lead the offense to a win, but if San Francisco can contain Miami's offense, he should be able to do just enough.
Prediction: 49ers 21, Dolphins 17
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Spread: Raiders -1.5
Total: 40.5
If you were looking for the worst game on the Week 16 slate, you found it.
It's Mac Jones against Aidan O'Connell in a matchup with the biggest implications for the 2025 NFL Draft order. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 1 overall pick, which will likely be for a new quarterback.
There's too much at stake for the Raiders to win this game, and Jones seems to be having enough fun as the Jacksonville Jaguars starting quarterback to pull out an ugly win.
Prediction: Jaguars 20, Raiders 10
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Spread: Buccaneers -3.5
Total: 48.5
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of the hottest teams in the NFL, winning four straight games despite injuries to key players like Chris Godwin.
Baker Mayfield has this team believing that they can make a playoff run, ranking top-five in the league with 3,617 passing yards and 32 passing touchdowns. Rookie running back Bucky Irving is also emerging as a star, racking up over 1,100 total yards and six touchdowns.
That offense is so fun that the Buccaneers should have no problem outpacing Cooper Rush and the Dallas Cowboys, even if their offense has figured things out to a degree with Dak Prescott out for the year.
Prediction: Buccaneers 31, Cowboys 21
New Orleans Saints vs. Green Bay Packers
Spread: Packers -14.5
Total: 42.5
The Week 16 slate wraps up with a game with serious blowout potential on Monday Night Football between the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers.
Spencer Rattler will likely be the starting quarterback, and there's a chance that Alvin Kamara will be sidelined with an injury. Their top weapons could end up being Kendre Miller in the backfield and Marquez Valdes-Scantling as the No. 1 receiver going against the team that drafted him.
Meanwhile, the Packers are playing their best football all year, with rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper emerging as a potential star for the defense. Things are going too well for the Packers to fall flat on MNF and they should take care of business to clinch their playoff spot.
Prediction: Packers 35, Saints 17
