NFL Week 16, 2024: Thursday, Saturday, Sunday Games
It's fun to watch but little time to recover for the Saturday and then Christmas Day teams.
NFL Quick Hitters:
Jets. Jets. Jets. - What can you say? An owner that takes advice from his teenage kids and Madden ratings on personnel decisions (supposedly cancelling a Jerry Jeudy trade because his Madden rating was low), to a young, talented wide receiver that wants out, to a QB with a ‘God’ and mushroom complex, they are a mess. Maybe the worst run team in the league. But they have some talent on their roster. And a fairly easy schedule to end the season. The worse thing that can happen to the Jets is to win anymore games. Then they’ll start thinking they’re good. Start thinking we have a Super Bowl team if we just get the right bounce.
Eagles - Unbelievable. A team that should be making plans for the Super Bowl finds new ways to stoke dissension. But they keep winning. Can their talent overcome their disfunction? They don’t have respect for their coach. But…not sure if anyone can beat them in the NFC. Lions can’t with all of their injuries. Minnesota? Packers? Maybe, but it will likely come down to the Eagles beating themselves if they lose. Probably in spectacular fashion.
Dan Campbell - can we stop venerating Dan Campbell as a ‘coach that does it his way’ even when he makes stupid decisions. He kicked an onside kick with 12 minutes left. That’s has a 7% chance of success. Stupid. They were only down 2 td’s. Week before last he went for it on 4th down when a field goal would have given them a 6 point lead. It would’ve taken a TD to beat them and the Packers had little time left. They got the first but it was still the wrong decision. Fail and they could’ve easily lost. In fact, the decision increased their chances of losing. In last year’s championship game his repeated decision on fourth downs cost them the game. Lions, you are no longer an up-and-comer. You are a contender. Play like one. Manage the game. Make smart decisions. Not saying you can’t go for it on 4th down but do it when it increases your odds of victory. Not because of ego and you think it’s the only style of play that you can win with.
Please, no Mahomes - Let him rest. Your goal is a Super Bowl victory. That’s it. Nothing else matters this year. You should be able to beat the Texans without Mahomes. Play defense. Run the ball. Wentz can make enough plays. If you lose, Mahomes can come back for the last two. You’ll still have a shot at the #1 seed. You need a healthy Mahomes for the playoffs. The Ravens and the Bills are on a roll. You don’t have a chance with a 50% Mahomes.
NFL Games: Week 15
Last week’s totals: 13 - 3: Should’ve been even higher. Shooting for a perfect weekend at least once before the playoffs. Season’s totals: 150 - 57
Survivor pick/Lock of the week: (current streak 12) Packers - Yep, I could go with the Ravens every time. Their schedule is very weak throughout the rest of the year (Steelers are all beat up and will have two of their key players at less than 100% even if they get on the field). But where’s the fun in that. Pack are getting on a late season roll. SO let’s go with them in a game they need, on the road, against an ailing but tough team.
(Oh, and if you use these picks - or the fantasy lineup at the bottom - to gamble do so at your own risks. I’m a ‘gut feel’ type of picker. I don’t do a computer analysis.)
Week 16: Thursday Night Game
Broncos vs. Chargers - This is not an easy pick. It means more to the Broncos but I think the Chargers are desperate to get a win. The defense plays great and offense does just enough. Chargers win.
Saturday Games:
Texans vs. Chiefs - These Saturday games aren’t fair to any of the teams involved. The Chiefs have an especially rough schedule to end the year. Look for them to play smart football a always regardless of who is playing QB. Personally, I’d sit Mahomes whether he feels he can play or not. They can beat the Texans with their backup QB, Wentz. Chiefs win.
Steelers vs. Ravens - Yes, I know the Steelers have the Ravens number. They’ve won 8 of the last 9 games. But not this one. Ravens romp. I don’t think this is even close. And it sets the Ravens up for a sweep of their last two games. Easy-peasy. Ravens win.
Sunday Games:
Giants vs. Falcons - Rookie QB starting for the first time. Penix has it all in front of him. Plus he gets an easy opponent - at least for the NFL - for his first start. Won’t have to do much. Falcons win.
Cardinals vs. Panthers - Who really knows how the Cardinals will play week to week? Panthers have been playing better but they are still short on talent. Cards win.
Lions vs. Bears - Lions bounce back. Wrack up the points. Lions win.
Titans vs. Colts - I’ll go with the Colts. They lost ugly last week. Should’ve been close. Dropping a ball as you are going into the end zone by one of your star players is a killer. Completely changed the game. No turnovers this week and they win. Colts win.
Rams vs. Jets - This is a trap game. Weather could be a factor. But it’s a trap game for the Jets. Rams know what they are playing for. They won’t take the Jets lightly. But if the Jets win - they have nothing to play for and can be completely loose - then they will start believing they are better than they think. It’ll be the team is fine and would have been a Super Bowl contender with a couple of breaks. It’s not true. Start over. New GM. New coach. New QB. Rams win.
Eagles vs. Commanders - Eagles have a pretty easy schedule to finish out the year. This is likely their toughest game but they should win easily. Commanders play well but the Eagles are a year of ahead in team development and more talent. Eagles win.
Browns vs. Bengals - Will the Bengals be able to win out? Will it be enough to get them into the playoffs? We’ll see. This is a tough game though. Browns switched QB’s again. Bengals win.
Vikings vs. Seahawks - Seahawks are hobbled at QB. Vikes roll. Vikings win.
Patriots vs. Bills - Wake me when it’s over. Josh Allen stacks number onto his MVP season. Bills win.
Jaguars vs. Raiders - Ugh game of the week. Probably decided by turnovers. Jags win.
49ers vs. Dolphins - Hmm. Both teams are a mess. Both teams are realistically out of the playoffs. 49ers have the better defense. 49ers win.
Philadelphia vs. Steelers - I’m going with the home team here. If it was in Pittsburgh, Steelers win. But warning; if Steelers win watch out for another Eagles collapse. Eagles win.
Buccaneers vs. Cowboys - This is a sneaky good game. Bucs are on a roll. Cowboys have been playing better and can rush the QB. Baker hates Texas teams. Buccaneers win.
Monday Night Games
Saints vs. Packers - Packers dominate. Continue their surge. Packers win.
My FanDuel lineup: (Flop week, - $15: score 91.89, Derek Henry let me down.) Week 16: Allen, Robinson, Bigsby, Williams, Shakir, Thielen, Pitts, Addison, Buccaneers
Season score: +$90
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