Mattie T’s Week 16 NFL Predictions

What’s good yall!! Before i get to my Week 16 picks, it’s time for a Justice League Update.

I made 3 crucial mistakes that cost me a win & a chance to advance to the Semifinal round…..benched Matt Cassel (22 pts to Kurt Warner’s 2), Sammy Morris (9 pts to Ryan Grant’s 0) & Pittsburgh’s defense (8 pts to Indianapolis’ 4) that all could’ve played big roles in a win. Disappointing loss, but i’ll definitely be back next season to try & reach the playoffs for a 3rd year in a row.

Meanwhile, DJ Special Blend’s Inner City Youth squad squeaked out a 1st round win with a 39-34 victory, with 26 of his points coming from Carolina kicker John Kasay & the Bears’ defense. This week in the Semifinal round, he is a 4 point underdog, but we shall see if he has enough gas in the tank to advance to the championship game!

Week 15: 13-3

Overall: 141-82 (.632)

Colts/Jaguars: Indy just continues to keep it rolling, as they have won 7 in a row & could potentially lock up a wild card berth if Miami, New England & Baltimore all lose this weekend. Jacksonville figures to use a lot of Maurice Jones-Drew, who hopes to have similiar success to his 107-yard outing in the Jaguars’ Week 3 win over the Colts. Peyton Manning has not played up to par on the road (10 TD’s, 10 INT’s & a 77.1 rating in 7 starts), but i think the Colts’ ground game will be effective in leading them to their 8th consecutive win.

Mattie T’s Pick: Indianapolis

Ravens/Cowboys: Gotta give it to Dallas, as their defense has surrended just 17 points in their last 2 wins & DeMarcus Ware is now on pace to break Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record. There’s a chance Ware can inch closer to history, as Joe Flacco has suffered 19 of his 25 sacks on the road this season & you know the Cowboys will bring constant pressure all game long.  This will be close but i think Dallas will keep their good momentum rolling.

Mattie T’s Pick: Dallas

Bengals/Browns:  I hate this matchup, but i like Ryan FitzPatrick over Ken Dorsey in a game that will feature two journeyman quarterbacks. Again, Cleveland has been anemic offensively with just 31 points over their last 4 games, all losses.

Mattie T’s Pick: Cincinnati

Saints/Lions:  It’s time to go out on a limb! Now i know that no team in NFL history has ever gone 0-15, which would be Detroit’s mark should they lose on Sunday. This could be their only chance to get into the win column against a New Orleans team that has only won once all season outside of the Superdome.  Pierre Thomas has a very favorable matchup against the Lions’ league-worst run defense, but keep in mind that Thomas is only averaging 3.8 yards-per-carry in 7 road games, compared to 6.0 yards-per-carry in 6 home games.  Folks, get ready to witness the biggest upset of the season!

Mattie T’s Pick: Detroit

Dolphins/Chiefs: I expect for Miami to roll in this one, as the Kansas City Royals’ bullpen probably has a better chance at holding leads over the Chiefs’ entire 52-man roster. ‘Fins win to reach 10 victories for the first time since 2003.

Mattie T’s Pick: Miami

Cardinals/Patriots:  Arizona hasn’t exactly been playing inspired football over the past couple of weeks, so this latest East Coast trip wasn’t exactly the most well-timed as they have already lost 3 road games to the Redskins, Eagles & Jets. Matt Cassel could be in for a big day against a Cardinals secondary that got torched by the likes of Tarvaris Jackson in Week 15.

Mattie T’s Pick: New England

49ers/Rams:  Despite losing 7 of their first 9 games, San Francisco has a chance to finish 2008 with a respectable 7-9 record if they win their final 2 games. They should have no problems beating up on a St. Louis team that has only scored 30 points or more once all season. Frank Gore should be in for a big day against the Rams’ 29th ranked run defense.

Mattie T’s Pick: San Francisco

Steelers/Titans: Could be a potential AFC Championship Game Preview, as winner will lock up #1 seed & homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.  Tennessee will be banged up defensively for this one as Kyle Vanden Bosch & Albert Haynesworth will both miss this game due to injuries.  I think that the Titans have finally met their kryptonite…a team that can both shut down the run AND pressure the quarterback. Should be a great game, but in the end i think Pittsburgh will emerge victorious.

Mattie T’s Pick: Pittsburgh

Chargers/Buccaneers: Amazing how San Diego is still alive in the AFC West, as they erased a 18-point deficit for a comeback 22-21 win over Kansas City in Week 15. If Jeff Garcia plays on Sunday, he should continue his stellar play, as he has yet to throw an interception in 4 home starts.

Mattie T’s Pick: Tampa Bay

Bills/Broncos: Denver should already have the AFC West wrapped up by the time they take the field Sunday, but i think Marshawn Lynch will have a big day & ruin some of the post-game celebration.

Mattie T’s Pick: Buffalo

Texans/Raiders: Oakland’s defense has been a total embarassment during their current 3-game losing streak, as they have allowed 103 points (34.3 PPG) during that time-span. Good news for a Houston team that is riding a franchise-best 4-game win streak. Make it 5 after they become the latest team to embarss the Raiders.

Mattie T’s Pick: Houston

Jets/Seahawks: I smell an upset in the air! For some reason, the Jets do not play well on the West Coast, as evidenced to earlier losses to San Diego, Oakland & San Francisco. In Mike Holmgren’s final home game as Seahawks head coach, look for his team to deliver an inspired & emotional win.

Mattie T’s Pick: Seattle

Falcons/Vikings: Minnesota won a big game against Arizona to keep their division hopes alive, but may have suffered a fatal blow as 3-time Pro-Bowler Pat Williams will miss anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks of action with a shoulder injury. This spells good news for Michael Turner, who is the NFL’s 2nd leading rusher & could be in for a monster day. Something tells me though that Adrian Peterson will lead his Vikings to a home win..after all, he is averaging 135 yards per game in 6 games this season at the Metrodome.

Mattie T’s Pick: Minnesota

Eagles/Redskins: Philadelphia is still in the Wild Card hunt, but how big will that tie loom at the end of the season? They should have no problems beating a fading Redskins team that has lost 5 of their last 6 games.

Mattie T’s Pick: Philadelphia

Panthers/Giants: Big game here, as winner gets #1 seed in the NFC & homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. As good as Carolina has been at home this season, they have yet to beat a quality road opponent. Brandon Jacobs is expected to play on Sunday, whom i expect the Giants to use frequently to lock up the top seed.

Mattie T’s Pick: N.Y. Giants

Packers/Bears: With Green Bay already out of the playoff picture, can they ruin Chicago’s postseason plans? Don’t count on it, as the Packers have lost four straight since their 37-3 dominating win over the Bears in Week 11.  Green Bay’s two road wins to date? Detroit & Seattle. Look for Chicago to finish their home finale strong & keep their playoff hopes alive.

Mattie T’s Pick: Chicago