NFL - Week 16 predictions

The Redskins' playoff chances are dying quickly, but they're not dead yet. The Skins need to win out and get tremendous help from other teams to get the final wild card spot. It's not impossible, but it is much more difficult following a loss to the Bengals.

With many teams still fighting for the final playoff spots, including a three-way tie between the Patriots, Jets and Dolphins, these last two weeks will be critical. This week features many intriguing matchups such as Carolina at the Giants, Atlanta at Minnesota, Pittsburgh at Tennessee and Baltimore at Dallas.

As for our experts, Kevin maintains a strong five-game lead with just two weeks left to play. With Sean 15 games out of first, a comeback is not impossible but highly unlikely. Who will claim SCO supremacy? In just two weeks we will have our answer.

Standings:

	This week	Season total
Anshul	8-8	140-81
Kevin	9-7	145-76
Sean	8-8	130-91

Thursday December 18, 2008

Indianapolis Colts (10-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Indianapolis	Indianapolis	Indianapolis

Anshul says:
The Colts have almost completed their season turnaround. They should be able to carry some momentum into the playoffs and look to make a deep run.

Kevin says:
The Colts are going to take down their divisional foes yet again.

Sean says:
The Colts have no reason to fall here.

Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008

Baltimore Ravens (9-5) at Dallas Cowboys (9-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Dallas	Baltimore	Dallas

Anshul says:
The Cowboys did take down the Giants and, despite all the drama, are looking good late in the season. I hate to give this one to them but based on the way they're playing I have to.

Kevin says:
The Ravens' defense is amazing, even though they lost to the Steelers last week. The Cowboys have a decent offense, but it does not seem strong enough to penetrate down the field.

Sean says:
Yes, T.O. and Witten have some beef but that didn't stop them from beating the Giants. Considering that the Cowboys have no injuries and a home field advantage, the only thing good coming to Texas from Baltimore will be an episode of "The Wire." As I've stated, DALLAS. ALL DAY, EVERYDAY.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-11-1) at Cleveland Browns (4-10)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Cincinnati	Cleveland	Cincinnati

Anshul says:
The Bengals, despite their record, have been playing better recently. The Browns have no quarterback right now and have nothing to win with.

Kevin says:
I'm slightly depressed that the Redskins lost to the Bengals. They deserve accolades. But they should not be able to beat the Browns, especially when they play away.

Sean says:
The Redskins have lost to the worst. The Battle of Ohio will be decided by momentum. Go Bengals.

New Orleans Saints (7-7) at Detroit Lions (0-14)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
New Orleans	New Orleans	New Orleans

Anshul says:
Breathe, Lions fans, breathe. This season of pain is almost over, so cheer up.

Kevin says:
I'd have to look optimistically at the Lions. They may, after all, get Bill Parcells and attain a 9-5 record by this time next year.

Sean says:
Detroit is looking to pull off the reverse of what the Patriots almost did.

Miami Dolphins (9-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-12)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Miami	Miami	Miami

Anshul says:
The Dolphins have to continue to win to keep the division lead. A win against the Chiefs will help them do it.

Kevin says:
The Dolphins have a serious chance to get into the playoffs. This may be the underdog story of the decade.

Sean says:
Miami has flourished under the Divine Benediction of His Holiness Bill Parcells. It would be blasphemy to suggest that they'd lose to the Chiefs.

Arizona Cardinals (8-6) at New England Patriots (9-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
New England	New England	Arizona

Anshul says:
Arizona has nothing to play for right now while the Patriots have everything to play for. The drive to win will push New England over the Cardinals.

Kevin says:
Kurt Warner has maintained a one-to-one touchdown-to-interception ratio for the past five games. With steady defensive pressure from the Patriots, the Cardinals will lose, possibly costing them a postseason slot.

Sean says:
I think the Cardinals are vastly underrated. They will shine in New England.

San Francisco 49ers (5-9) at St. Louis Rams (2-12)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
San Francisco	San Francisco	San Francisco

Anshul says:
Two straight years of failure for the Rams. Maybe in 2009.

Kevin says:
Mike Singletary has really helped to boost the Niners. He better keep this up next year and revive the franchise. Look, a free win against the Rams! There can't be a more perfect way to encourage the fans.

Sean says:
San Francisco needs someone to destroy, too.

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) at Tennessee Titans (12-2)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Tennessee	Pittsburgh	Tennessee

Anshul says:
Tennessee has been the most dominant TEAM all season long, but an injury to Albert Haynesworth may hurt their chances in this tough matchup. But I have faith in the Titans to get past the Steelers, who stole a victory away from the Ravens last week.

Kevin says:
The Titans lost to the Texans. Even if this may be a battle of defenses, the Steelers have a stronger offense with more potential. For sure, this will be a low-scoring game.

Sean says:
The Steelers are good but not the best. The Titans are beast.

San Diego Chargers (6-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Tampa Bay	Tampa Bay	Tampa Bay

Anshul says:
Again, injuries to the Charger defense have cost San Diego this season. Look for the Chargers to come charging back in 2009.

Kevin says:
Got to give it up to the Chargers for almost losing to the Chiefs. The Buccaneers need this win.

Sean says:
Tampa Bay started the season off pretty strong, beating the mighty Panthers 27-3. Either this is a fluke or Tampa Bay has been on a steady decline because when they faced off again, they lost 38-23. On the other hand San Diego has been inconsistent and has a few injured players. I wish both teams could lose, but in this case I'd say that the Bucs will win.

Buffalo Bills (6-8) at Denver Broncos (8-6)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Denver	Denver	Buffalo

Anshul says:
Jay Cutler is in the Pro Bowl despite a steady decline in performance throughout the season. But his team is headed to the playoffs where maybe he can pick it up again and lead the Broncos deep into the postseason.

Kevin says:
Who knew that this team would lead the AFC West? It would be quite hilarious to see a team win a division with an even record, but that probably will not happen. Jay Cutler can make quick work of the shoddy Bills.

Sean says:
I'm in a underdog mood and the fact that the Broncos barely beat the Chiefs isn't encouraging. GO BILLS!

Houston Texans (7-7) at Oakland Raiders (3-11)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Houston	Houston	Houston

Anshul says:
Houston has too many offensive weapons for the Raiders to handle. Then again, most teams have too many weapons for the Raiders to handle.

Kevin says:
Andre Johnson is crazy, and probably will be near the top of the draft for next year's fantasy teams. It's unfortunate that the Texans probably will not make the playoffs, but at least they'll leave this year with their first winning record.

Sean says:
The Texans need this and they're willing to get it. Go Texans.

New York Jets (9-5) at Seattle Seahawks (3-11)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
New York	New York	New York

Anshul says:
J-E-T-S, JETS JETS JETS!

Kevin says:
I want to see Brett Favre go into the postseason and his fans crying after he's eliminated in the first round. BLOWOUT OF THE WEEK.

Sean says:
Jets. No question.

Atlanta Falcons (9-5) at Minnesota Vikings (9-5)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Atlanta	Minnesota	Minnesota

Anshul says:
What a game, definitely one of the highlights of the week. The Falcons have been good all season and have both a passing game and a running game to match up with the Vikings, who have found new life with Tarvaris Jackson.

Kevin says:
This is the Vikings team I expected at the beginning of the year. The Falcons narrowly won against the Buccaneers, but the Vikings crushed the Cardinals. I'd like to see this team take it all the way.

Sean says:
The Vikings have been very consistent in the past four games. The Falcons had an emotional win in overtime against Tampa Bay and currently top the league in rushing yards. There is no clear winner here, but I'd have to go with the Vikings.

Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1) at Washington Redskins (7-7)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Washington	Philadelphia	Philadelphia

Anshul says:
It's a hard time to be a Redskins fan, but I am a true fan and I will not lose faith in the team.

Kevin says:
The Redskins are on the downhill, and will be pushed out of the playoffs with this game. I sincerely hope that Jim Zorn improves the team through good coaching next year, as the Redskins made some fundamental mistakes during some of the easier games.

Sean says:
How the Redskins lost to the Bengals is beyond me, and probably beyond Zorn and Portis as well. The Eagles have been getting momentum since they beat Arizona and Washington has been watching their morale slip through the cracks.

Carolina Panthers (11-3) at New York Giants (11-3)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
New York	New York	Carolina

Anshul says:
Another huge game this week in terms of determining momentum heading into the playoffs. Both teams have their ups and downs, but Eli Manning should be more comfortable this week without a major pass rush from the Panthers.

Kevin says:
The Giants lost to the Cowboys and the Panthers are on a roll. This will be a great game, and I believe it will work out in the Giants' favor.

Sean says:
The Giants are missing a lot of people, including some of their more beast linebackers and Plaxico. Meanwhile, the Panthers have been rolling through the NFL like the Juggernaut. I'll go with the Panthers.

Monday, Dec. 22, 2008

Green Bay Packers (5-9) at Chicago Bears (8-6)

Anshul	Kevin	Sean
Chicago	Chicago	Chicago

Anshul says:
The Packers started strong but faded down the stretch. The Bears are still handing around in the division and are looking pretty good.

Kevin says:
Sorry, better luck next year, Packers. At this time, the Bears need some wins to stay alive. Their sheer determination at home will propel them to victory!

Sean says:
The Packers have done a "heckuva job" this season without Favre. The Bears have done better than expected. The Bears will do fine in their homeland.