NFL Picks Week 16 – NFC West Showdown

For our NFL picks in Week 16 we look at a game with playoff implications, between teams with 5-9 and 6-8 records. That’s the Rams and 49ers, which could contribute toward producing a champion in the NFC West.

Also, the new York Jets meet up with the Chicago bears at Soldier Field; Rex Grossman goes to post again for the Redskins against Jacksonville, and the Vikings go with Joe Webb (we think) against the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s all part of our NFL picks for Week 16.

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NFL Picks – Week 16

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-9 SU, 6-8 ATS) at ST. LOUIS RAMS (6-8 SU, 9-5 ATS)

1 PM ET — Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis

Odds for NFL Picks – Week 16

St. Louis -2.5

San Francisco  +2.5

Total  39.5

Obviously is a critical game for both teams, and the Niners are still holding on to some hope to win the division. With a season sweep over the Rams they will have that tie-breaker going for them, and again it’s a matter of having to decide whether to go with Alex Smith or Troy Smith at quarterback. Mike Singletary has changed his mind so many times that I can’t imagine all this indecision can be good for a team, but the fact is, the Niners haven’t really responded to the leadership of anyone, much less the Hall of Fame linebacker, who could find himself out of a job on the Monday after the season ends.

Word is that Troy has the inside track at the time we write this, and the reason he didn’t start last week’s game is because there was not enough time to prepare him, since he still doesn’t know the whole playbook yet. Gee, he hasn’t had enough time to learn it yet? Was this team all that complicated to begin with?

The only thing that holds us back a little with the Rams in our NFL picks for Week 16 is that San Bradford could be hitting the "rookie wall," if you believe such a thing exists. He’s gone 39 for 72 the last two weeks without a TD and with two interceptions. Actually, when you think about it, is it all that horrible? Bradford is only the third rookie in history to throw for over 3000 yards (following Peyton Manning and Matt Ryan). He’s done it without top-shelf wide receivers. He’s got the assistance of the best offensive weapon on the field (Steven Jackson). And frankly, we’ve got to give him an edge over either the San Francisco Smith who doesn’t know the playbook (Troy) or the one who can’t execute the playbook (Alex).

JAY’S PLAY:  ST. LOUIS -2.5

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NFL Picks – Week 16

NEW YORK JETS (10-4 SU,. 8-6 ATS) at CHICAGO BEARS (10-4 SU, 7-6-1 ATS)

1 PM ET — Soldier Field, Chicago

Odds for NFL Picks – Week 16

Chicago -1

N.Y. Jets +1

Total  36.5

I’m not sure the win over Pittsburgh is such a "buy signal" that the Jets are back from their offensive doldrums, since they did, after all, manage just one TD from scrimmage. But that did demonstrate resiliency, and as they go to Soldier Field you can just imagine Rex Ryan and his defensive staff drawing up all kinds of blitzing schemes to harass Jay Cutler, who has been sacked 44 times. It would be kind of hard to imagine Cutler having a field day if he’s going to have to hurry his throws all day, and just as hard to figure on the Bears controlling things on the ground.

JAY’S PLAY:  N.Y. JETS +1

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NFL Picks – Week 16

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (5-9 SU, 8-5-1 ATS) at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-6 SU, 9-5 ATS)

1 PM ET — EverBank Field, Jacksonville

Odds for NFL Picks – Week 16

Jacksonville  -7

Washington  +7

Total  46.5

The Jags blew an opportunity to salt away the AFC South title last week against the Colts, and now they need help to get to the playoffs. Even so, this may have helped Jack Del Rio keep his job. Rex Grossman was inserted in place of Donovan McNabb at quarterback for the redskins, and he threw four TD passes as the ‘Skins got the cover (though not the victory) against Dallas. Sooner or later, though, the "bad Rex" shows up, and this may be such a time. With Washington’s defense, inept enough to have allowed 4.8 yards per rushing attempt, it’s hard to imagine Maurice Jones-Drew not being able to establish Jacksonville on the ground. Remember, the Jags have played well enough to cover six of their last seven games.

JAY’S PLAY:  JACKSONVILLE -7 **

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NFL Picks – Week 16

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (5-9 SU & ATS) at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-4 SU, 7-7 ATS)

8:20 PM ET — Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

Odds for NFL Picks – Week 16

Philadelphia  -14

Minnesota  +14

Total  43

We now know that even if Brett Favre should pop out of nowhere again to be a starter, he is only going to be good until the first hit. That leaves the Vikings with Joe Webb, who has a lot of promise, with a good arm and very mobile. He’d probably like to be Michael Vick, who has put together a season that will have him in the running for MVP honors. But it will be a while before Webb has the kind of experience that gives the Vikings a very good shot to win against good teams. At the same time, the Eagles have played nine of the last ten games over the total and part of it is that they haven’t gotten the most consistent secondary play. We don;t know if we are looking for that string to continue if Adrian Peterson isn’t at 100% after his thigh injury.

JAY’S PLAY:  UNDER 43

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