The Rams knocked off the 'Hawks in L.A. last month by a 21-19 count and since that game they are averaging 37 points a game with quarterback Matthew Stafford coming into this tilt with 37 touchdown passes and just five interceptions. Seattle survived a tight game at home against Indianapolis, 18-16 last Sunday and the offense will look to get back in high gear. Before last week, the Seahawks had averaged 31 PPG in a three-game stretch following the loss to the Rams five weeks ago. The weather is calling for possible heavy rains in the Great Northwest, so how that impacts things remains to be seen. This one should be another tight affair, but the call here is for the Seahawks to come away with the home win.
The Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) and Chicago Bears (10-4) face off on Saturday night at Soldier Field in the Windy City in the battle for the top spot in the NFC North division. The Packers held off the Bears, 28-21 two weeks ago in Green Bay by picking off a Caleb Williams pass in the end zone in the closing minute. Green Bay let one get away last Sunday in Denver while the Bears did what they should against a weak opponent, winning 31-3 against Cleveland. This game will be another tussle and as long as the Bears can effectively run the football, they will win.
On Sunday, the Detroit Lions (8-6) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) in what could be their last chance to stay alive in the NFC playoff chase. The Steelers dominated Miami on Monday Night Football and will be looking to keep up with the high flying Lions offense in this game. Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers is plenty familiar with Detroit having played in the NFC North division for so many years. The Lions will get their share of points in this game, so as long as their defense can contain what the Steelers offense can do, they should be in good shape to win.
Down south in Carolina, the Panthers (7-7) will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) in a game between two teams fighting for supremacy in the lackluster NFC South division. Both are coming off disappointing losses last week and Tampa Bay has lost five of the last six games. The Panthers have been up and down from week to week in the last month, so who knows which team will show up this Sunday? The Bucs rate a slight edge overall, but this scrappy Carolina team will be ready and not lay down in this toss up game.
Two upstart teams in the AFC playoff race will face each other in Denver when the Broncos, who lead the AFC West division with a 12-2 record and also are riding an eleven game win streak, take on the AFC South leading Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4), who also have been on a roll. Who actually had the Broncos and Jaguars going at it in late December as divisional leaders? This game should be a good one, but if the rugged Broncos defense can force those critical turnovers, this one could get ugly. Take the Broncos at home.
On Sunday night, it could be do or die for the host Baltimore Ravens (7-7) when they play the New England Patriots (11-3), who saw their ten game winning streak come to an end last week as they blew a 21-point lead (at home) to Buffalo. Baltimore has won six of their last eight games and QB Lamar Jackson needs to protect the football and get the passing game going. Patriots QB Drake Maye had a rough one last week as the Bills took over in the second half, but he did rush for two scores to help build a 21-0 lead. Keeping the Ravens off his back will be the key in this one, so look for a close one and which ever team has the ball last could pull it out.
The rest of the action around the league is featured in the capsule style previews and the Heftyinfo picks follow up.
Philadelphia (9-5) at Washington (4-10) - The Eagles have the chance to clinch the NFC East division title on Saturday and they will likely do just that.
Buffalo (10-4) at Cleveland (3-11) - Take the Bills.
L.A. Chargers (10-4) at Dallas (6-7-1) - When this game kicks off on Sunday, the Cowboys will know their fate in the NFC East division. The Chargers are going for their fourth straight win.
Kansas City (6-8) at Tennessee (2-12) - Will the Titans actually win this one against a Chiefs team now being led by QB Gardner Minshew?
Cincinnati (4-10) at Miami (6-8) - The Dolphins have benched QB Tua Tagovailoa and Bengals QB Joe Burrow looks to be uninterested and uninspired playing for the Bengals. Toss up in this one.
N.Y. Jets (3-11) at New Orleans (4-10) - Who cares?
Minnesota (6-8) at N.Y. Giants (2-12) - Two young, cocky quarterbacks (J.J. McCarthy with Minnesota and Jaxson Dart with the Giants) square off in this meaningless NFL game.
Atlanta (5-9) at Arizona (3-11) - The battle of the birds in this one . . . The Cardinals are due for a win.
Las Vegas (2-12) at Houston (9-5) - The Raiders have lost eight games in a row for a reason. This one could get ugly in a hurry.
San Francisco (10-4) at Indianapolis (8-6) - The 49ers are rolling while the Colts are just trying to survive and stay relevant in the AFC playoff chase. The Monday Night Football game crew will be talking quite a bit about Colts QB Philip Rivers and his comeback. Take the 49ers in this one.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Sixteen . . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Seattle over L.A. Rams
Philadelphia over Washington
Chicago over Green Bay
Buffalo over Cleveland
L.A. Chargers over Dallas
Kansas City over Tennessee
Cincinnati over Miami
New Orleans over N.Y. Jets
Minnesota over N.Y. Giants
Carolina over Tampa Bay
Denver over Jacksonville
Arizona over Atlanta
Detroit over Pittsburgh
HOUSTON over Las Vegas
Baltimore over New England
San Francisco over Indianapolis
Last Week's Record - 11-5
SEASON RECORD - 146-77-1
Lock of the Week Record - 13-2
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