Drew Brees broke another record for the Saints and the quest for the 1-seed in the NFC heated up. Check out what happened in NFL Week 14. Then, see our predictions for NFL Week 16!.
NFL Week 15 Review & NFL Week 16 Quick Picks
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When: Saturday, Dec. 21 – Monday, Dec. 23
• TV: FOX, CBS, ESPN
• Live Stream: Amazon-Nov. 14, DirecTV Sunday Ticket, ESPN+-Nov. 25
NFL Week 15 Recap: Brees Becomes a Legend, 49ers Fall
New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees threw 4 TD passes on
Monday Night Football when leading the Saints past the Indianapolis Colts 34-7. Brees played a near perfect game.
The future first ballot hall of fame signal caller completed 29-of-30 for 307 yards. His 4 TD passes broke Peyton Manning’s all-time record for touchdown throws.
The win also took the Saints closer to the 1-seed in the NFC Playoffs. Last week, we wrote that the Saints still had the best shot at the 1-seed even though San Francisco beat them 48-46.
We reasoned that the Saints would win out while the 49ers would lose at least a couple of games.
San Francisco lost the first of our predicted 2 losses in Week 15. Atlanta shocked the 49ers 29-22.
The most disturbing thing about the loss if you’re a Niners fan is that for the second week in a row, the defense couldn’t stop a top wide receiver.
In Week 14, Saints’ wideout Michael Thomas caught 11-of-15 targets for 134 yards and a TD. On Sunday, Julio Jones dominated the Niners secondary. Jones caught 13-of-20 targets for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns.
If the 49ers can’t stop elite receivers, they’ll have trouble in the playoffs. The loss sent the Niners from the first seed to the fifth seed. Right now, the Saints are the third seed behind Green Bay and Seattle.
If San Francisco and Green Bay lose one more time while the Saints win out, New Orleans grabs the top seed. N’Awlins plays Tennessee and Carolina on the road.
The Niners host the Rams and then travel to Seattle in Week 17. Green Bay is at the Minnesota Vikings and at the Detroit Lions.
The likeliest scenario? Green Bay loses this Sunday and the 49ers lose either to the Rams, the Seahawks, or both.
The Saints win out. If it happens, New Orleans grabs the first seed, Seattle gets the second, and Green Bay becomes the third seed.
On to NFL Week 16 predictions
NFL Week 16 Picks
Saturday, Dec. 21
Houston Texans (-3) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In Week 15, Houston ended Tennessee’s winning streak. Will they end Tampa Bay’s in Week 16? Nope. The Bucs are hot. They’re 4-0 SU in their last 4. They’ve gone 3-0-1 ATS.
NFL Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots (-6)
6 are too many points to give to one of the best teams in the NFL. Buffalo beat Pittsburgh in Week 15. They can upset the Patriots on the moneyline here. But if you have doubts, take the points. Bills are 4-1 SU in their last 5.
NFL Prediction: Buffalo Bills
L.A. Rams vs San Francisco 49ers (-6 ½ )
Dallas pummeled the L.A. Rams last week. A possible reason? The Rams looked forward to this massive battle. To have any shot at the playoffs, LAR must win. They won’t, but they will make it close.
NFL Prediction: L.A. Rams
Sunday, Dec. 22
Jacksonville Jaguars vs Atlanta Falcons (-7 ½ )
Atlanta pulled off a shocker when they beat the San Francisco 49ers straight up in Week 15. They could take a backward step against a Jacksonville squad that’s better than they look. Atlanta should win. The half-a-point makes the Jags the play.
NFL Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars
Baltimore Ravens (-10 ½) vs Cleveland Browns
Baltimore is 7-1 ATS in their last 8. The Browns won’t make the playoffs. Baltimore fights for home field on Sunday. What else? Oh, yes. The Ravens are 8-2-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Cleveland.
NFL Prediction: Baltimore Ravens
New Orleans Saints (-3) vs Tennessee Titans
This is a tough matchup for the Saints. The Titans face one of the top rushing defenses in the NFL on Sunday, though.
NFL Prediction: New Orleans Saints
Carolina Panthers vs Indianapolis Colts (-6 ½)
The Colts won’t quit. The Panthers already have.
NFL Prediction: Indianapolis Colts
Cincinnati Bengals vs Miami Dolphins (pk)
Give the home team the edge. Also, Miami quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is better than Bengals’ quarterback Andy Dalton.
NFL Prediction: Miami Dolphins
Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) vs New York Jets
Sam Darnold won’t break down the Steelers’ defense while Pittsburgh will play smart football.
Nobody will ever say the Jets play “smart football”.
NFL Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Giants vs Washington Redskins (-2 ½)
Washington rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins has made great strides in the past couple of weeks. But the Giants’ defensive line is underrated. If Eli starts, the Giants win by 7. Even if Daniel Jones starts, the Giants are worth a play on the moneyline.
NFL Prediction: New York Giants moneyline
Detroit Lions vs Denver Broncos (-6 ½)
The Lions are 1-7 ATS in their last 8. Broncos roll.
NFL Prediction: Denver Broncos
Oakland Raiders vs L.A. Chargers (-6)
That was an ugly scene in Oakland this past Sunday. The Raiders played their final game in The City. Fans weren’t happy. Next season, the Raiders become Vegas’ team. Will the Raiders step it up in their second to final game with the Oakland name? No chance.
NFL Prediction: L.A. Chargers
Dallas Cowboys (-3) vs Philadelphia Eagles
The spread is a surprise. Philadelphia is the home team. Maybe, the odds makers read the trends. The Boys are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Philadelphia. They’re 4-0 ATS against the Eagles in the last 4.
NFL Prediction: Dallas Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals vs Seattle Seahawks (-9 ½)
Seattle can win the NFC West Division. All they must do is beat San Francisco in Week 17, though. They could be distracted against the Cardinals. They’ll get the “W” but they won’t cover.
NFL Prediction: Arizona Cardinals
Kansas City Chiefs (-5 ½) vs Chicago Bears
The Chiefs defense gave up 16 points to New England in Week 14. It allowed Denver to score 3 in Week 15. Chicago won’t cover. Da Bears have nothing to play for.
NFL Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs
Monday, Dec. 23
Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings (-4 ½)
The Vikings are the hotter squad. Minnesota is 6-0 ATS at home this season. The Vikings are 2-0 ATS in their last couple. They head into this key matchup off a stunning 39-10 win over the L.A. Chargers. Vikings cover.
NFL Prediction: Minnesota Vikings
