NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 16 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2007 Week 16 Picks

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Pro Football Week 16 Picks - late games

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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 16 Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | Dec. 20-24

All times Eastern - Click here for late Sunday and Monday night games.

Thursday, Dec. 20

Pittsburgh (-7 1/2, 43 1/2) at St. Louis 8:15 pm - The week gets rolling with an important game... for the Steelers, who have to do more than just show up against the revitalized Rams. Since beginning the season 0-8, St. Louis has played to a 3-3 record, though they've lost the last two. Interestingly, the Steelers have done exactly the same over the past six games, and after consecutive losses to New England and Jacksonville, need to win as long as the Browns do. Pittsburgh has only averaged 16.6 points per game over the past five games, but the offense will likely get some relief as the Rams allow 24.9. This really looks like a statistical mismatch, and the Steelers are a good enough team to get the job done.

Prediction: Steelers 30 Rams 17

Saturday, Dec. 22

Dallas (-10 1/2, 43) at Carolina 8:15 pm - Following last week's disaster against the Eagles, the Cowboys may be happy not having to face their own fans this week. The Panthers gutted out a wind-aided win over a mystified Seattle team. The Cowboys will line up against Carolina QB Matt Moore, whom they cut in the preseason. Dallas may have less motivation than Moore, as they have a first-round bye locked up, but are still playing for home field throughout the playoffs, currently tied with Green Bay at 12-2 for the top spot in the NFC. Dallas does hold the tie-breaker, having beaten the Packers three weeks ago. Tony Romo is expected to start, despite having a sore thumb on his throwing hand. Jessica Simpson, blamed by some for Romo's unusually poor performance last week, was told by receiver Terrell Owens to "stay away." The Cowboys should handle Carolina, regardless of who's watching.

Prediction: Cowboys 34 Panthers 17

Sunday, Dec. 23

Cleveland (-3, 43 1/2) at Cincinnati 1:00 pm - The weather is likely to be much improved over last week's blizzard conditions when Cleveland beat the Bills, 8-0, but Cincinnati's defense will still be the same sorry bunch. The last time these two division rivals met the Browns came out on top of a 51-45 shootout and the same thing may happen again. In case anybody cares to notice, Cleveland's defense has allowed more yards and more points than Cincy's. The difference is that the Browns actually know how to win games, while the Bengals have discovered a myriad of methods in which to lose. They'll likely roll over and play dead in the 4th quarter, despite this being a fierce rivalry.

Prediction: Browns 38 Bengals 28

Green Bay (-8 1/2, 35 1/2) at Chicago 1:00 pm - If the Bears only had any offense... forget it. The Bears' season ended about two weeks ago, though nobody decided to tell the defensive players. Besides having to face Brett Favre in December conditions which he loves, Chicago simply has no offensive punch. Leaving the defense on the field for 40 or more minutes is a solid recipe for losing. The Packers roll on.

Prediction: Packers 27 Bears 3

Houston at Indianapolis (-7, 45) 1:00 pm - By any measurement, the Colts are at least the second best team in the AFC, and at 12-2 have already assured themselves of a 1st round bye. Since they can't wrest the #1 spot away from New England, having already lost to them, there may not be much motivation for Indy. Also, at least five Colts starters will miss this game due to injuries and more may see limited duty. So, will Houston keep this one close enough to possibly pull off the upset late in the game? Probably, especially if Texans' QB Sage Rosenfels stays hot. Houston's won their last two and at 7-7 have an opportunity to finish at 9-7, though they are already eliminated from the playoffs due to various tiebreakers.

Prediction: Texans 24 Colts 23

Kansas City at Detroit (-4 1/2, 43 1/2) 1:00 pm - Neither of these teams will be playing in two more weeks, so why bother? The Lions actually could wind up 8-8, but they'd have to win this game as well as next week's game at Green Bay. Well so much for .500 for this season, but the Lions should provide some thrills for the home fans one more time.

Prediction: Lions 27 Chiefs 13

Miami at New England (-22, 45) 1:00 pm - One could not ask for a more lopsided kind of game: the 14-0 Patriots vs. the 1-13 Dolphins. As luck may have it, the weather may be more rainy than snowy, suitable to a defensive kind of struggle. The Pats also haven't covered in three of their last four, but does anyone actually give Miami a chance here. Sure, they finally got the winless monkey off their backs, but they're still pretty raw. They can play a little defense, however, and even New England players are human and likely to take this one a little less seriously than other games. Despite all that, the Pats are the superior team and should win, but by how much?

Prediction: Patriots 28 Dolphins 13

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N.Y. Giants (-3, 32 1/2) at Buffalo 1:00 pm - Are the Giants on the verge of imploding again? They're 3-3 of late and may need to win one of their final two games to clinch a playoff spot. A loss by either Washington or New Orleans would put them in, but they can't count on that, and the Giants host New England next week. Weather is expected to be rainy and windy, and the Bills got used to inclement conditions last week in Cleveland. While Buffalo is out of the playoff picture, they can still play spoiler and finish as high as 9-7 with wins against the Giants and at Philadelphia next week. New York will be without Jeremy Shockey. The Bills are 4-3 SU and 6-1 ATS at home this season. Look out, Giants, you may need to beat New England to get in.

Prediction: Bills 17 Giants 13

Oakland at Jacksonville (-13, 38 1/2) 1:00 pm - Not much to say except that the Jags remain among the hottest teams in the league, having won five of their last six. They are steamrolling opponents and heading for the playoffs. Oakland is 2-5 on the road; Jacksonville is 5-2 at home and has won their last three home games by widening margins.

Prediction: Jaguars 31 Raiders 6

Philadelphia at New Orleans (-3, 47) 1:00 pm - This could prove to be one of the best games of the week, but Philly is going to have to be a lot more efficient offensively if they expect to win. The Eagles' defense was lights out against the Cowboys last week, but QB McNabb still didn't execute well enough to earn any praise. The Saints have been getting the job done and have won three of their last four. They need to win here and next week and get some help to make the playoffs, making this a must-win situation. They should get the job done, but not by much.

Prediction: Saints 21 Eagles 17

All times Eastern - Click here for late Sunday and Monday night games

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