It’s time to make our NFL Week 16 picks, and we start with a critical game on Thursday night between the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets.
Matchup
Jacksonville Jaguars
6-8
New York Jets
7-7
Thursday, Dec. 22
8:20 p.m. ET
AMAZON
JAX -1.5
The Jaguars are playing their best ball at the right time. The Jets are hoping Zach Wilson can beat Trevor Lawrence. Good luck.
Pick: Jacksonville 23, New York 20
Matchup
Atlanta Falcons
5-9
Baltimore Ravens
9-5
Saturday, Dec. 24
1 p.m. ET
FOX
BAL -7.5
Atlanta can win if Desmond Ridder makes a few throws, avoids turnovers and the running game is humming. But that’s a lot to ask of a kid in his second start.
Pick: Baltimore 19, Atlanta 17
Matchup
Buffalo Bills
11-3
Chicago Bears
3-11
Saturday, Dec. 24
1 p.m. ET
CBS
BUF -9
The Bears are going to be in this game because they’re in every game. However, Chicago also loses almost every week. By the way, this tilt is being played in Arctic weather.
Pick: Buffalo 23, Chicago 19
Matchup
Cincinnati Bengals
10-4
New England Patriots
7-7
Saturday, Dec. 24
1 p.m. ET
CBS
CIN -3
Why would anybody pick the Patriots here? The Bengals might be the top team in the AFC while the Patriots just threw a game-winning fumble — technically, it was a fumble — to Chandler Jones.
Pick: Cincinnati 28, New England 17
Matchup
Detroit Lions
7-7
Carolina Panthers
5-9
Saturday, Dec. 24
1 p.m. ET
FOX
DET -2.5
The Lions are rolling. They’ve won six of their last seven and have both sides of the ball contributing. Meanwhile, the Panthers are hoping for Sam Darnold to provide a big effort.
Pick: Detroit 27, Carolina 23
Matchup
Houston Texans
1-12-1
Tennessee Titans
7-7
Saturday, Dec. 24
1 p.m. ET
CBS
TEN -4
Upset of the week. The Titans might not have Ryan Tannehill and even if they do, they’re playing awful. Meanwhile, Houston damn near beat the Cowboys and Chiefs the past two weeks.
Pick: Houston 20, Tennessee 17
Matchup
New York Giants
8-5-1
Minnesota Vikings
11-3
Saturday, Dec. 24
1 p.m. ET
FOX
MIN -4
Minnesota authored the biggest comeback in NFL history last week. Another close game, not quite a historic event, but the Vikings win again.
Pick: Minnesota 27, New York 24
Matchup
New Orleans Saints
5-9
Cleveland Browns
6-8
Saturday, Dec. 24
1 p.m. ET
FOX
CLE -3
Two teams playing out the string without their first-round picks. Yikes. And yes, the Saints are a game back in the NFC South, but what makes anyone think they’re going to get hot?
Pick: Cleveland 21, New Orleans 20
Matchup
Seattle Seahawks
7-7
Kansas City Chiefs
11-3
Saturday, Dec. 24
1 p.m. ET
FOX
KC -10
The Chiefs keep everybody in the game with their abysmal turnover ratio, but Kansas City has too much firepower for the sliding Seahawks.
Pick: Kansas City 30, Seattle 23