RJ's Pick: Buccaneers by 8
Must-See: Arizona Cardinals 8-6 at New England Patriots 9-5 - 1:00 p.m. (Line: Patriots by 8)
The Cardinals really have nothing to play for. They have already clinched the NFC West, and their loss to the Vikings last week virtually ensures that they will be #4 seed in the NFC playoffs (as the division winner with the worst regular-season record). Meanwhile, the Patriots have won two in a row and are still in the hunt for a Wild Card slot.
RJ's Pick: Patriots by 4
Must-Not-See: San Francisco 49ers 5-9 at Saint Louis Rams 2-12 - 1:00 p.m. (Line: 49ers by 5)
The Rams have lost eight in a row. The 49ers have gone 3-8 since starting the season 2-1.
RJ's Pick: Rams by 2
RJ's Game Of The Year Week: Pittsburgh Steelers 11-3 at Tennessee Titans 12-2 - 1:00 p.m. (Line: Steelers by 1.5)
These are your two playoff bye-week teams for the AFC. The Steelers are hoping to grab home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a win here and another win in Week 17, while the Titans just need a win this week in order to clinch. These teams have the top-two defenses in the league. The winner of this game will likely be the favorite to represent the AFC in Super Bowl XLIII.
RJ's Pick: Titans by 3
New York Jets 9-5 at Seattle Seahawks 3-11 - 1:00 p.m. (Line: Jets by 4.5)
The Jets need a road win in order to remain atop the AFC East. The Seahawks are just 1-6 at home this season.
RJ's Pick: Jets by 10
Buffalo Bills 6-8 at Denver Broncos 8-6 - 4:05 p.m. (Line: Broncos by 6.5)
The Bills have dropped three straight. The Broncos can clinch the AFC West with a win here.
RJ's Pick: Broncos by 1
Houston Texans 7-7 at Oakland Raiders 3-11 - 4:05 p.m. (Line: Texans by 7)
The Texans are one of the hottest teams in the league right now. If they'd managed just a little bit better luck in close contests during Week 4 and Week 5, they'd be a serious playoff contender right now. The Raiders have dropped three straight.
Article comments
1 - El Bicho
"The Battle of Ohio is pretty weak this time around."
This time around. LOL!
2 - alessandro
Indy.
Just in time.
3 - alessandro
Hate to say it but: Dallas.
Go Eagles.
4 - Adam
Well, I lost my upset call with the Jags, so that will start me at 0-1 for this week. But I went 12-4 last week so I'm still doing good enough. factoring in Thursdays game I'm sitting pretty at 140-85.
Now for the rest of the week...
Ravens
Browns
Saints
Pats
Titans
49ers
Fins
Bucs
Broncos
Seahawks
Texans
Falcons
Eagles
Panthers
Bears
5 - RJ
Final Scores:
Colts 31, Jacksonville 24 - RJ 1-0
Ravens 33, Dallas 24 - RJ 1-1
6 - alessandro
Cin, Det, TB, NE, Pit, Hou, Phi, Chi, NYG, Min, Mia, SF, Sea, Den.
I was glad to be wrong about the Cowboys. Not surprised one bit though.
7 - RJ
Thanks for the picks, guys. :-)
8 - RJ
FINAL SCORES:
Bengals 14, Browns 0 - RJ 2-1
Saints 42, Lions 7 - RJ 2-2
9 - RJ
Final Scores:
NE 47(!), Cardinals 7 - RJ 3-2
Titans 31, Steelers 14 - RJ 4-2
10 - RJ
Final Scores:
SF 17, Rams 16 - RJ 4-3
Miami 38, KC 31 - RJ 5-3
SD 41, TB 24 - RJ 5-4
11 - RJ
ESPN's NFL "experts" through 9 games:
Wickersham
7-2
Fleming
6-3
Hoge
5-4
Jaworski
6-3
Schlereth
7-2
Allen
6-3
Mortensen
5-4
Golic
6-3
Accuscore
6-3
Pick 'em
5-4
12 - RJ
Final Scores:
Bills 30, Denver 23 - RJ 5-5
Seattle 13, Jets 3 - RJ 5-6
Oakland 27, Houston 16 - RJ 5-7
13 - RJ
Final Scores:
Atlanta 24, Vikings 17 - RJ 6-7
Redskins 10, Eagles 3 - RJ 6-8
14 - RJ
ESPN's NFL "experts" through 14 games:
Wickersham
8-6
Fleming
6-8
Hoge
7-7
Jaworski
7-7
Schlereth
8-6
Allen
6-8
Mortensen
5-9
Golic
7-7
Accuscore
6-8
Pick 'em
5-9
15 - RJ
Final Score:
Giants 34, Carolina 28 (in OT) - RJ 7-8
16 - RJ
Final Score:
Bears 20, GB 17 (in OT) - RJ 8-8
17 - RJ
ESPN's "experts" in Week 16:
Wickersham
10-6
Fleming
8-8
Hoge
8-8
Jaworski
8-7
Schlereth
9-7
Allen
8-8
Mortensen
6-10
Golic
9-7
Accuscore
8-8
Pick 'em
7-9
18 - RJ
Through 16 weeks:
RJ
146-94
Wickersham
142-98
Fleming
153-87
Hoge
157-83
Jaworski
147-77
Schlereth
155-85
Allen
153-87
Mortensen
158-82
Golic
144-95
Accuscore
160-80
Pick 'em
141-85
19 - RJ
RJ ATS in Week 16: 9-7-0
RJ ATS through 16 weeks: 104-130-6
20 - RJ
Week 17 picks are up!