Only two weeks remain in the NFL regular season, and the playoff picture is about as clear as mud. A few teams have clinched playoff spots and division titles, but there are still first-round byes, home-field advantage, remaining divisional crowns and wild-card spots to be determined. Week 16 crosses over with Christmas, which falls on a Sunday this year, so the schedule will be a little different with one game on Thursday, 12 on Saturday, two on Sunday and one on Monday. Only five games aren't intra-division matchups, while six are between potential playoff teams, including both on Christmas (Baltimore at Pittsburgh, Denver at Kansas City) and the Monday night game (Detroit at Dallas). In other words, it's going to be a highly entertaining week of holiday football. You can click through the gallery for my favorite picks against the spread (odds courtesy of OddsShark) or you can read here for more picks and analysis. (Getty)
Seattle Seahawks
Opponent: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Line: SEA (-8.5)
The Seahawks and Cardinals played to an ugly 6-6 tie back in October, but circumstances are different this time around. First, the game is in Seattle, where the 'Hawks are 7-0 and outscoring opponents 196-102, compared to the road where they are 2-4-1 and being outscored 102-133. Second, the Seahawks are battling for a first-round bye in the playoffs, while the Cardinals have only a draft pick to play for, so motivations will be far different on either side. This one has blowout written all over it. (Getty)
Tennessee Titans
Opponent: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Line: TEN (-4.5)
The Titans have reeled off three wins in a row, including impressive victories over potential playoff squads in the Broncos and the Chiefs. The Jaguars, meanwhile, have dropped nine consecutive games, have the fifth worst point differential (-99) in the NFL and just fired their head coach. The Titans beat the Jags by 14 when they met in early November, and the difference between them is now even greater than it was back then. Even on the road, the Titans should win this by at least a touchdown. (Getty)
Denver Broncos
Opponent: at Kansas City Chiefs
Line: DEN (+4)
Kansas City's style of football just doesn't typically lend itself to a lot of big victories, as five of the Chiefs' last six games have been decided by three points or less. Throw in the fact that Denver's elite defense often keeps the Broncos close--they've lost by more than a touchdown just twice this season--and this one figures to be a tight one, just as it was last month when they went to overtime before the Chiefs ultimately won by a field goal. Although I think Kansas City ultimately wins this one at home, I like getting Denver plus four points in what is projected as the lowest scoring game of the week with an over/under of just 37.5. (Getty)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: at New Orleans Saints
Line: TB (+3)
There's always a lot of talk about Drew Brees' stark home/away splits, but the Saints are still just 3-5 at the Superdome this year. The Bucs, on the other hand, are 5-3 on the road and nearly beat the Dallas Cowboys--co-owners of the best record in football--at Jerry World on Sunday night. Ultimately, the Bucs are the better team--as they proved two weeks ago when they beat the Saints--and they're getting three points, so this is a tough one to pass up. (Getty)
Carolina Panthers
Opponent: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Line: CAR (+2.5)
The Panthers don't have much to play for, but a Ron Rivera-coached team isn't going to quit on the season. They proved during Monday night's impressive win over the Washington Redskins that they are fine playing spoiler, and you can bet they'll be looking to do the same against the division rival Falcons, especially after Atlanta embarrassed them for 48 points earlier in the season. Since that game, the Panthers have gone just 5-5, but four of those losses have come by exactly three points, so this may be a better team than its record suggests. The fact they're getting points at home only sweetens the deal. (Getty)
NFL Week 16 Predictions: Best Picks Against the Spread