NFL Pro Football 2008 Week 16 Picks early games

NFL Pro Football 2008 Week 16 Picks

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Fearless Rick's NFL Week 16 Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | December 18-22

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

THU, DEC 18

Indianapolis (-6, 44) at Jacksonville 8:15 PM - This is the first of eight games this weekend which feature home underdogs, so I'd be wary of all of this genre, including this one. The Colts have had a problem covering at times, while the Jaguars have had even more problems winning. They've lost 6 of their last 8. Indy has run up a nice road record of 5-2, but their largest margin of victory has been four points. They have won seven straight outright, however.

Of course, this game is on the NFL network, to which not everyone has access, but that's a dead horse issue for this season. The Colts lost to the Jags in week 3, at home, 23-21, but both teams are worlds apart from then. Indy has a history here, but the rule says take the dog.

Prediction: Colts 23 Jaguars 20

SAT, DEC 20

Baltimore at Dallas (-4, 39 1/2) 8:15 PM - These two teams are the latest victims of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and, in addition to that, they are very evenly-matched opponents. While the Dallas offense certainly has more weaponry on the wings with TO and Roy Williams, the Ravens' defense is ferocious and won't allow Romo time to set and throw very often. This game is also huge for both teams as they are each locked into their respective wild card races at 9-5. In what figures to be a tight game, taking the points is an absolute must.

Prediction: Ravens 20 Cowboys 19

SUN, DEC 21

New Orleans (-7, 50 1/2) at Detroit 1:00 PM - The season is over for both of these teams, but the New Orleans defense really looks like the weakest link here, having allowed 20 or more points in 12 of 14 contests. That is, until one looks at Detroit's horrific stats. The Lions rank dead last in scoring defense at a mind-boggling 31.7 points per game (444 points allowed this season). If Drew Brees is serious about breaking Dan Marino's season passing mark, here's his chance to pad his stats.

Prediction: Saints 49 Lions 31

Cincinnati at Cleveland (-3, 33 1/2) 1:00 PM - As poorly as Cleveland has performed lately, there's sincerely no plausible reason to take them against any team. At least the Bengals have shown some cohesion. While the Browns won the first half of this home-and-home annual puke-fest, 20-12, much has changed and most of it has been bad. Sorry, but Ken Dorsey has never cut it at QB and won't here, even against one of the worst teams in the league.

Prediction: Bengals 20 Browns 9

Miami (-4, 40) at Kansas City 1:00 PM - The Chiefs have nothing to play for but pride, and maybe their jobs in '09. At the same time, the Dolphins are in a death-match for the AFC East. After last week's heartbreak loss to San Diego (the Chargers beat the Chiefs by a point TWICE this season) it's going to be tough to get the KC team and fans motivated for this one.

The Dolphins have stunned the league with one of the greatest one-season turnarounds in NFL history and they won't be denied here. They are simply playing disciplined, quality football at the right time of the season and desperately need to win this game. They should not be denied. In fact, this could turn into one of the more lopsided games of the week.

Prediction: Dolphins 38 Chiefs 10

Pittsburgh (-2, 34 1/2) at Tennessee 1:00 PM - It's amazing to think that the 12-2 Titans would be underdogs at home, but last week's loss to Houston exposed the deficiencies in their offense.

What more can the Steelers do to impress upon the league that they are a force with which all must reckon in the playoffs? A win here would secure a first round bye and put them in position to host both of their playoff games, which, considering how the Steelers are built - upon a rock-solid defense - is just what they're after.

Prediction: Steelers 19 Titans 12

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Philadelphia (-5, 39 1/2) at Washington 1:00 PM - Please, somebody stop the Donovan McNabb love train. The Eagles' season ended with they ties the Bengals 6 weeks ago. Philadelphia currently trails Atlanta, Dallas and Tampa Bay in the wild card hunt, the Redskins already have a win over them at Philly and they have to welcome in Dallas next week. Sure, they have an argument, but the Redskins have proven their superiority over them already, as have the Cowboys.

Prediction: Redskins 24 Eagles 20

San Diego at Tampa Bay (-3, 42 1/2) 1:00 PM - This has to be the most intriguing of the early games. The Chargers are clinging to faint hope that Buffalo will defeat the Broncos later in the day and keep alive their slim hope of winning the division with an 8-8 record and a win at home against Denver next week. All that aside, the Bucs are not going to be an easy mark.

Of their six wins, San Diego has only two wins against teams with winning records: the Jets and Patriots. To make matters worse, the Bucs are unbeaten at home. Looks like things will stay that way and the Chargers season ends here.

Prediction: Buccaneers 27 Chargers 20

San Francisco (-5 1/2, 43 1/2) at St. Louis 1:00 PM - San Francisco has been performing much better of late, but the Rams have Steven Jackson back healthy. He's the key to St. Louis' offense, as evidenced against Seattle last week as the back ran for 91 yards. Sure, the Rams still lost, but their home games have been close recently and this is a divisional opponent without a lot of big guns.

Both squads will be trying out a variety of different sets with different players and that could cause confusion on both sides. Look for a battle until the very end, even though neither team has much to gain with a win.

Prediction: Rams 24 49ers 21

Arizona at New England (-7 1/2, 44 1/2) 1:00 PM - New england is coming off a very successful road trip to the West coast, notching wins over the Seahawks and Raiders. The Oakland game last week marked the third time this season the Patriots have scored more than 40 points, so their offense isn't hurting in the least.

Defensively, New England is badly banged-up, with starters missing from a variety of positions. Considering that the Cardinals have absolutely nothing to play for here and the Patriots can take another step toward the AFC East title, one might do well to just throw the stats out. Besides, Arizona's record when traveling East is a perfect 0-4, with losses at the Jets, Carolina, Washington and Philly.

Prediction: Patriots 37 Cardinals 21

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

Copyright 2008, 2009, Rick Gagliano, Downtown Magazine. All rights reserved. Downtown Magazine is located in the Uinted States of America and is not affiliated with the National Football League or the NCAA. For more information, contact us here. Use of this site is for entertainment purposes only.

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