NFL Week 16 picks, predictions: Predicting Ravens-49ers, Cowboys-Dolphins, other games
With just 17 regular season games, every NFL game is important.
But with just three weeks remaining in the regular season, each game takes on more meaning.
And the NFL Week 16 schedule is filled with very meaningful games for teams trying to earn a berth in the NFL Playoffs or for teams trying to improve their NFL postseason seeding,
Among the games with big playoff implications for both teams?
The New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams, Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The marquee matchup of the week is the final one, when the AFC-leading Baltimore Ravens face the NFC-leading San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football on Christmas night, while the Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins is another game that will have big playoff repercussions.
Who will win those games and the others on the schedule this week?
Check out our NFL Week 16 picks and NFL Week 16 predictions for the 16 NFL Week 16 games. Click on each game for more picks, predictions and odds for that matchup.
All times MST.
NFL Week 16 picks: Saints at Rams | Bengals at Steelers | Bills at Chargers | Colts at Falcons | Packers at Panthers | Browns at Texans | Lions at Vikings | Commanders at Jets | Seahawks at Titans | Jaguars at Buccaneers | Cardinals at Bears | Cowboys at Dolphins | Patriots at Broncos | Raiders at Chiefs | Giants at Eagles | Ravens at 49ers | Power rankings | Odds | Schedule
Thursday Night Football prediction, Dec. 21
New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams, 6:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video (stream with Amazon Prime Video)
Both of these teams are 7-7 on the season and the winner of this game would get a big boost in the playoff race. The Rams are more trustworthy on offense.
Prediction: Rams 24, Saints 20
NFL Week 16 odds: Point spreads, moneylines, over/unders for betting on games
Saturday football games predictions, Dec. 23
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers, 2:30 p.m., NBC, Universo (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Bengals have won three straight games with Jake Browning at QB, while the Steelers have lost three straight. The streaks will continue in this AFC North contest.
Prediction: Bengals 21, Steelers 17
Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Chargers, 6 p.m., Peacock
The Bills have defeated the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys in consecutive weeks. They shouldn't slip up against a Justin Herbert-less Chargers.
Prediction: Bills 27, Chargers 13
NFL power rankings Week 16: New Super Bowl contender
Sunday early football games predictions, Dec. 24
Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons, 11 a.m., FOX (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Falcons must win this game to have a chance to win the NFC South, but the Colts are 5-2 on the road and in their own race for the AFC South title.
Prediction: Colts 24, Falcons 21
Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers, 11 a.m., FOX (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Packers picked a terrible time to drop two straight games. They'll get back in the win column in Carolina, although it could be very close.
Prediction: Packers 20, Panthers 17
Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans, 11 a.m., CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Browns are just 2-4 on the road this season, but they have found some magic with Joe Flacco at QB. They will upset the Texans in Houston.
Prediction: Browns 27, Texans 21
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings, 11 a.m., FOX (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Vikings really need to win this game to help its playoff cause. The Lions will hurt their NFC North rival's hopes.
Prediction: Lions 28, Vikings 20
Washington Commanders at New York Jets, 11 a.m., CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)
Both of these teams had higher expectations this season. Will they both have new head coaches next season?
Prediction: Jets 17, Commanders 14
Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans, 11 a.m., CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Titans are 1-6 on the road. Lucky for them, this game is at Nissan Stadium, where they are a respectable 4-3.
Prediction: Titans 21, Seahawks 20
NFL Week 16 schedule: Television channels, how to watch, stream games this week
Sunday late football games predictions, Dec. 24
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2:05 p.m., CBS (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Jaguars are favored on the road. We're not buying it. Tampa Bay is on the rise, while Jacksonville is struggling.
Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Jaguars 19
Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears, 2:25 p.m., FOX (stream with free trial from FUBO)
These teams are already looking ahead to next season. Will Kyler Murray and Justin Fields still be the QBs?
Prediction: Bears 27, Cardinals 23
Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins, 2:25 p.m., FOX (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Cowboys could be in trouble. They are just 3-4 on the road, while the Dolphins are 6-1 at home.
Prediction: Dolphins 31, Cowboys 24
Sunday Night Football prediction, Dec. 24
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos, 6:15 p.m., NFL Network (stream with free trial from FUBO)
Will Bill Belichick last the rest of the season in New England? Hard to believe that his run with the Patriots might soon be over.
Prediction: Broncos 24, Patriots 10
More: What channel is Monday Night Football on? Here's who's playing and how to watch, stream
Monday football games predictions, Dec. 25
Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs, 11 a.m., CBS, Nickelodeon (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Raiders are much improved under Antonio Pierce. Just not improved enough to beat the Chiefs in Kansas City.
Prediction: Chiefs 23, Raiders 20
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, 2:30 p.m., FOX, FOX Deportes (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Eagles really need a win to help their playoff seeding, while the Giants are looking toward next year already.
Prediction: Eagles 28, Giants 16
Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers, 6:15 p.m., ABC, ESPN Plus, ESPN Deportes (stream with free trial from FUBO)
Could this be a possible Super Bowl preview? These teams lead their respective conferences and are both 11-3. The Ravens are 6-1 on the road. The 49ers are 5-1 at home. We could be in for Christmas Day treat.
Prediction: 49ers 24, Ravens 21
NOTE: NFL games can be streamed locally on FUBO, click here for a free trial
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NFL Week 16 picks, predictions: Predicting this week's game scores
