NFL Draft, Week 16 predictions: Ravens beat Patriots, Broncos beat Jaguars, Rams move on originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
Before the Chiefs’ reign of terror in the AFC began, the league was typically a three-team rivalry.
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From 2011-18, the Patriots, Ravens and Broncos teamed up to win eight consecutive AFC championships. With Kansas City eliminated from the playoffs, these three teams are among the next favorites in the AFC.
The Patriots and Ravens meet on Sunday Night Football. First-year coach Mike Vrabel is very familiar with the rivalry with Baltimore, which still hopes to win the AFC North race against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Broncos, meanwhile, have won 11 straight games and will face Jacksonville in Week 16.
Buffalo and Pittsburgh are in the mix, of course, and Houston’s run in the AFC South comes at the perfect time.
These are the popular matchups for Week 16, Rams vs. Seahawks on Thursday Night Football, Eagles vs. Commanders and Bears vs. Packers in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday.
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Just say: 146-77-1 (11-5 in Week 15)
Confrontation spread: 108-113-3 (Week 15 6-10)
Here are our picks straight into Week 16. Odds are based on Caesars.
More Chiefs news:
NFL Draft, Week 16 Predictions
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Los Angeles Rams (-1.5) at Seattle Seahawks
Thursdays, 8:15pm, Prime Video
The Rams are averaging 30 points per game and have scored over 40 points each of the past two weeks, but Davante Adams (hamstring) could be out in just one week. This game will determine home field advantage in the National League. Seattle made four turnovers in the first game and ultimately lost 19-21. The Rams have won each of their last two meetings in Seattle.
Pick: Rams 23, Seahawks 20
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More: Rams regain top spot in Sporting News’ latest NFL power rankings
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Philadelphia Eagles (-6) vs. Washington Commanders
Saturday, 5 p.m., Fox
In Week 15, the Eagles got off to a good start with a 31-0 victory over the Raiders. Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby combined for 135 yards rushing. Washington snapped an eight-game losing streak in Week 15, but turnovers continue to be an issue. This is the first meeting between the two teams this season.
Pick: Eagle 27, Commander 17
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Green Bay Packers (-1.5) at Chicago Bears
Saturday, 8:20 p.m., Fox
What a difference a week makes. The Bears are back on top and the Packers lost Micah Parsons (ACL) in a Week 15 loss to Denver. In Week 15 against Green Bay, Bonix passed for 302 yards and four touchdowns. Caleb Williams should find success in the running game as Chicago takes control of the NFC North.
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Pick: Bears 28, Packers 26
More: Why Micah Parsons’ injury is bad news for Packers’ Super Bowl chances
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Buffalo Bills (-10) at Cleveland Browns
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Browns are averaging 13.3 points per game in a three-game losing streak, and the defense has been terrible even though Myles Garrett (21.5 sacks) is chasing a single-season record. Cleveland is 0-2 and is a more than 10-point underdog, with the Bills offense running hot under Josh Allen.
Pick: Bills 28, Browns 20
More: Josh Allen, Bills’ comeback win over Patriots in Foxborough
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Los Angeles Chargers vs. Dallas Cowboys (-1.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
The line could drop to a selection before kickoff. The Cowboys are on the brink of playoff elimination. The Chargers are looking for ways to win games. Justin Herbert has 14 sacks over the past three games — all wins for Los Angeles. The Chargers are 3-1 over the past two seasons under Jim Harbaugh.
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Pick: Chargers 28, Cowboys 25
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Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) vs. Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
Patrick Mahomes (ACL) is out, so Gardner Minshew will start for the Chiefs. Titans quarterback Cam Ward has averaged 144 yards passing over the past two weeks, but he has only had one sack and one interception. Where will the focus be for the Chiefs after being eliminated from the playoffs?
Pick: Chiefs 24, Titans 16
More: How Patrick Mahomes’ ACL recovery time compares to others
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Cincinnati Bengals vs. Miami Dolphins (-1.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Bengals’ disappointing season continues as Joe Burrow has been intercepted four times in Cincinnati’s past two games. What does this mean for Zac Taylor’s future? The Dolphins have taken the opposite trajectory under Mike McDaniel, where they can take advantage of the worst rushing defense in the NFL.
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Pick: Dolphins 27, Tigers 24
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New York Jets vs. New Orleans Saints (-4)
Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS
The Saints have a chance to build on a three-game winning streak. Jets quarterback Brady Cook has five interceptions and nine sacks in two games. New Orleans rookie quarterback Tyler Shoff also had several sacks, but he managed to limit turnovers.
Pick: Saints 20, Jets 17
More: NFL draft order updated after Week 15 results
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Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) vs. New York Giants
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
The Vikings are improving under JJ McCarthy, who has thrown five touchdowns, one interception and a completion rate of 66% in his past two starts. The Giants have lost seven straight and are 0-2 ATS, a three-point underdog.
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Pick: Vikings 24, Giants 17
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Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)
Sunday, 1 p.m., Fox
Who wants to win the NFC South? The Buccaneers and Panthers are sitting at .500, and Tampa Bay has lost five of its past six games. Carolina has had its share of losses, having just lost to the Saints. The Panthers are 6-2 S/U in games played by seven points or less. The Buccaneers are 6-3 S/U in the same situation.
Pick: Pirates 31, Panthers 26
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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Denver Broncos (-3)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., Fox
The Broncos move forward under coach Sean Payton, but the Jaguars will be an interesting test. The Jaguars have won five straight and Trevor Lawrence has thrown nine touchdowns and no interceptions in his last three games. Jacksonville was 0-3 S/U when Lawrence picked up three more sacks. Will this protection hold up against Denver?
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Pick: Broncos 30, Jaguars 24
More: Trevor Lawrence continues hot stretch with five touchdowns
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Atlanta Falcons (-1.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, 4:05 p.m., Fox
The Cardinals have allowed an average of 42.5 points per game in their last two losses. The Falcons are the road favorite. Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins finished with a 373-yard, three-TD performance. A last-minute push for the NFC South title may be on the cards, but we like what the Falcons are doing at this position.
Pick: Falcons 31, Cardinals 23
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Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions (-7)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
The Lions are still in contention for the NFC playoffs, but they must defeat old rival Aaron Rodgers, who has kept the Steelers in the AFC North. The Lions haven’t beaten the Steelers since a 19-16 win in a “coin toss” game with Jerome Bettis on Nov. 26, 1998. Detroit changed that with a strong running game led by Jahmyr Gibbs.
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Pick: Lions 34, Steelers 29
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Las Vegas Raiders vs. Houston Texans (-14)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m., CBS
The Texans lead the NFL in scoring defense (16.3 points per game). The Raiders rank last in points per game (14.0). That alone would be enough to pick the Texans, who have the second-longest winning streak in the NFL at six games. The Raiders are 0-3 ATS trailing by 10 points or more, and they’ve been shut out 31-0 twice in that situation.
Pick: Texans 23, Raiders 10
More: Updated NFL playoff pictures heading into Week 16
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New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens (-2.5)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC Peacock
Sunday Night Football sets the stage for two AFC playoff contenders. The Patriots are giving up 134.8 yards per game over the past four weeks, which is a major issue against the Ravens. Lamar Jackson has held seven or fewer possessions in his past five games. Will this game change?
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Pick: Ravens 28, Patriots 21
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San Francisco 49ers (-5.5) at Indianapolis Colts
Monday, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Who knew we would get Philip Rivers on Monday Night Football? It’s sure to be a talking point as the Colts try to retain a spot in the AFC playoffs. The Colts are 3-2 ATS as underdogs this season and 2-0 S/U at home.
Pick: 49ers 25, Colts 23
More: How Philip Rivers fared when he returned to the NFL after five seasons
