NFL picks--Week 16

Last week: 10-6
Last night: 1-0
Season record: 138-71

The playoff picture is becoming clearer and it's both exciting and strange.  Exciting because your favorites of Seattle, Green Bay, New England and Denver are all looking really strong, and strange because it's likely the Saints, Panthers or Falcons will win the NFC South (and host a playoff game) with 6 or 7 or 8 wins.  The Niners are out.  The Bills are still alive.  Arizona will likely win the NFC West while the Niners are already eliminated.  But hey, it only means we have to watch.  Except for games like last night's Jax vs. Tennessee.  We have to draw the line somewhere.

Philadelphia at Washington--Last season Saturday football is back!  But these two games are kind of yawn-inducing.  There needs to be season long prime time flexing or something.  Eagles 34, Redskins 20

San Diego at San Francisco--With each passing day, Jim Harbaugh appears to be on his way out.  The Niners are out of the playoffs after reaching the NFC title game three straight times.  The Chargers are likely going to miss the playoffs too after losing two in a row.  They're still alive so they have more to play for.  Chargers 24, Niners 22

Minnesota at Miami--Hey, a rematch of Super Bowl 8!  I know none of these players were born yet, but I wonder if some of the coaches even weren't born yet.  Dolphins 20, Vikings 13

Baltimore at Houston--The other Harbaugh, John, always seems to have his Ravens in the hunt.  They are sneaky good even when they are not very good.  I'm waiting for my phone to ring any day now to play QB for the Texans if Case Keenum's second tour doesn't work out.  Ravens 27, Texans 16

Detroit at Chicago--The Bears are about as dysfunctional as a franchise can be right now.  There is a losing culture, yes, but benching your 15 million dollar QB is sending a message.  Of course, no one knows what that message is.  Lions 30, Bears 14

Cleveland at Carolina--The Browns are 7-7 and quite respectable, but with that record they now sit in last place in the AFC North with three 9-win teams above them.  Johnny who?  Panthers 21, Browns 14

Atlanta at New Orleans--It's amazing to think that the upset of the Saints by the Falcons in Week 1 would loom large in a playoff race among teams with losing records.  Saints 45, Falcons 31

Green Bay at Tampa Bay--A classic NFC Central division rivalry.  The whole world just went "HUH?"  Packers 24, Bucs 19

Kansas City at Pittsburgh--You would think Pittsburgh in December is a very unfriendly place to play, but Andy Reid always seems to have his team in position to win games anywhere, anytime.  But he won't win this one.  Steelers 28, Chiefs 20

New England at NY Jets--Can you imagine how badly Rex wants to win this game?  It's likely his last home game and his last game against the Pats as coach of the Jets.  Patriots 31, Jets 12

NY Giants at St. Louis--After games against the Jags, Titans and Redskins, the Giants are facing a Rams team that is going to have the appearance of the Seahawks.  And it'll be really tough for the Giants to score at all against them.  Rams 16, Giants 9

Buffalo at Oakland--This is surely a game the Bills should win but may not.  Raiders 23, Bills 20

Indianapolis at Dallas--Here is a mighty intriguing game.  The Cowboys are leading the NFC East at 10-4 and the Colts have that same record leading the AFC South.  I really want Dallas to choke here but I doubt they will.  Cowboys 37, Colts 35

Seattle at Arizona--So SNF flexed into a beauty here.  The Cards lead the NFC West at 11-3 while the Seahawks trail by one game at 10-4.  This is for the division, more or less.  Seahawks 20, Cards 17

Denver at Cincinnati--Hey, what do you know?  Even a blind squirrel finds and acorn sometimes.  Monday Night Football has a meaningful game in Week 16!   Bengals 26, Broncos 23