NFL Week 16 Predix (2011)

Tonight, the penultimate week of the 2011 NFL regular season takes place as the AFC South champs Houston Texans look to sweep the Indianapolis Colts for the first time ever. Because of the Christmas holiday on Sunday, game day is on Saturday, where there will be 13 Saturday afternoon matchups. On Sunday night, the NFC North champs Green Bay host the Chicago Bears, who will make another QB switch. On Monday night, the New Orleans Saints can win the NFC South with a win over Wild Card contender Atlanta in the Monday Night Football season finale.

TONIGHT'S GAME:
Houston Texans (10-4) at Indianapolis Colts (1-13)
Pick: Indianapolis 20, Houston 17

UPSET PICK (other than above):
Arizona Cardinals (7-7) at Cincinnati Bengals [8-6)
The Bengals MUST win their final two games in order to have ANY hope to get into the playoffs (and hope that the NY Jets lose at least ONE of their final two). The Arizona Cardinals MUST win their final two and hope Atlanta and Detroit stumble (which won't happen eventually). The Bengals secondary will have their hands full trying to cover Larry Fitzgerald. If John Skelton is the quarterback for Arizona, and all indications are he will be, it will be a blue Christmas in Cincinnati.
Pick: Arizona 34, Cincinnati 24

SATURDAY'S GAMES:
Cleveland Browns (4-10) at Baltimore Ravens (10-4)
Pat Shurmur is on the hot seat in Cleveland. The Ravens defense will make Shurmur's seat even hotter.
Pick: Baltimore 31, Cleveland 13

Denver Broncos [8-6) at Buffalo Bills (5-9)
Remember when the Bills were 5-2 and as hot as they were in the early 1990s? I completely forgot. They've lost seven in a row. Make that eight, because what's this I hear? TEBOW TIME!
Pick: Denver 20, Buffalo 13

Oakland Raiders (7-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-8]
Romeo, oh Romeo, where foreout thou Romeo? Without the coaching change in Kansas City, the Packers would be 14-0 right now. The Raiders are in a hurt of trouble now as the Chiefs are still alive in the AFC West division race...for now.
Pick: Kansas City 21, Oakland 19

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10) at Tennessee Titans (7-7)
Pick: Tennessee 24, Jacksonville 6

Miami Dolphins (5-9) at New England Patriots (11-3)
Pick: New England 35, Miami 7

The Battle of New York: Giants (7-7) at Jets [8-6)
Both of these teams need wins to stay alive. The J-E-T-S hold the sixth and final slot in the AFC currently, while the Giants need a win to keep up with Dallas in the NFC East division race.
Pick: Giants 30, Jets 23

St. Louis Rams (2-12) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
Pick: Pittsburgh 43, St. Louis 0

Minnesota Vikings (2-12) at Washington Redskins (5-9)
Pick: Washington 27, Minnesota 3

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10) at Carolina Panthers (5-9)
The Bucs have lost eight straight and Raheem Morris is on his way out the door.
Pick: Carolina 33, Tampa Bay 7

San Diego Chargers (7-7) at Detroit Lions (9-5)
Pick: Detroit 34, San Diego 31

San Francisco 49ers (11-3) at Seattle Seahawks (7-7)
Pick: San Francisco 21, Seattle 10

Philadelphia Eagles (6-8] at Dallas Cowboys [8-6)
This is do-or-die time for the Eagles. A Cowboy win (teamed with a Giant loss) could wrap up the NFC East.
Pick: Dallas 38, Philadelphia 31

CHRISTMAS NIGHT FOOTBALL:
Chicago Bears (7-7) at Green Bay Packers (13-1)
The surviving members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins raised their glasses high after the Packers lost at Arrowhead to the Chiefs last week. Luke McCown is starting for the Bears after Caleb Hanie proved ineffectiveness through four starts, all embarrassing losses.
Pick: Green Bay 37, Chicago 3

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SEASON FINALE:
Atlanta Falcons (9-5) at New Orleans Saints (11-3)
Pick: New Orleans 31, Atlanta 17