NFL Picks of the Week: Week 16

News Type: Opinion — Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:09 PM EST

sports, nfl, football, hot-chicks, cheerleaders, nfl-picks-of-the-week, week-sixteen

Cheerleader of the Week: Shannon of the Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders

Game of the Week

MINNESOTA over Washington (+7½)

The only game this well with playoff consequences for both teams. Actually, this game directly affects the playoffs for both teams. If Washington wins, they have the tie breaker advantage against Minnesota for the last seed. Unless the Giants do in fact completely collapse (which really isn't that improbably), the loser of this game is probably out of the playoffs, while the winner controls their own fate.

Cheerleader of the Week

TENNESSEE over New York Jets (+8½)

This week's cheerleader of the week is Shannon of the Tennessee Titans cheerleading squad. This is Shannon's first year on the squad. When she is not cheerleading she is teaching dance or using her hidden talent to dominate at Nintendo.

Upset of the Week

Miami (+21½) over NEW ENGLAND

New England has home field locked up for the playoffs. They have nothing to play for except perfection. Can they keep up the intensity needed to win for an entire game that is more or less meaningless? Are they willing to leave Tom Brady in for over three quarters?

Lock of the Week (Non-New England Division)

JACKSONVILLE (-12½) over Oakland

Great defense, a solid running game, and a mistake free quarterback. If I'm New England or Indianapolis, Jacksonville is a team that scares me in the playoffs.

The Rest

Pittsburgh (-7½) over ST. LOUIS

The loss of Willie Parker will not doom Pittsburgh, and may in the end help their playoff fates. With their current mess of an offensive line, Willie Parker was not the ideal running back. He was just as likely to lose yards on a carry as he was to gain a first down. Najeh Davenport is a better fit for their offense. He may not be a flashy, but he'll fight for the tough yard and is far more likely to gain positive yardage on each play.

Dallas over CAROLINA (+11½)

Was it Jessica Simpson or his injured thumb?

Kansas City (+4½) over DETROIT

After completely collapsing and blowing any and all chances at the playoffs, Detroit still has a .500 season to look forward to. Not after this week.

Houston (+7½) over INDIANAPOLIS

These are the games where Indy just mails it in. I'd really be surprised to see Peyton in the game after a series or two in the second half.

NEW ORLEANS (-3½) over Philadelphia

New Orleans still has an ounce of playoff hope, while Philly fans are trying to find another quarterback to root for besides McNabb.

BUFFALO (+3½) over New York Giants

This is the type of game that the Giants were made to lose.

Green Bay (-7½) over CHICAGO

Besides residents of Dallas and perhaps Jessica Simpson, who doesn't want to see the road to the Super Bowl head straight through Green Bay?

Cleveland (-3½) over CINCINNATI

This might just be the game of the year for anyone playing fantasy football. There are are a legitimate 10 fantasy starters, 7 of them studs, in this game. this just happens to also be the championship week for many a fantasy league. You know quite a few people are hoping for a 60-50 offensive slug-fest in this game.

ARIZONA (-10½) over Atlanta

Atlanta is next year's Miami.

Tampa Bay (-7½) over SAN FRANCISCO

Usually when your team is as bad as San Francisco, at least the fans have a nice high draft pick to look forward to...

SEATTLE (-10½) over Baltimore

In the AFC North Seattle would be 6-8. They are still better than Baltimore.

SAN DIEGO over Denver (+9½)

If it wasn't for one reason, I'd be getting pretty exciting for San Diego's Super Bowl Chances. In 2004, Pittsburgh goes 15-1 gets all kind of Super Bowl hype but falls short. In 2005, everyone is excited about Indianapolis or possibly New England. Pittsburgh sneaks their way into the playoffs, wins three road games and finally the Super Bowl. In 2006, everyone is excited about San Diego or possibly New England. Indianapolis still has a pretty damn good year, but the hype isn't there. They then go on to comeback against the Patriots in the playoffs and win the Super Bowl against Chicago. This year everyone is hyping New England or possibly Green Bay, and yet San Diego has had a pretty quite second half of the season as they take care of business and reach the playoffs. They sure have the talent to win, as well as the unfinished business of coming up empty last year.

And yet they have Norv Turner as coach. Opening round exit seems about right taking Norv into account.

A Blast from the Past

Straight Up: 12-4 Last Week, 136-90 for the season
Vs. Spread: 9-7 last week, 109-115 for the season
Game of the Week: 10-6
Upset of the Week 4-12
Lock of the Week: 15-1

The Ground Rules

Home team in CAPS, spread in ( paren ). If the spread is listed after the victor, then they will cover. If the spread is listed after the loser, then it will not be covered.

Spreads are taken from ESPN.com. I don't do lines.

You can follow my picks be either adding the "nfl-picks-of-the-week" tag to your watchlist, or add this feed to your reader.

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Adam Hobson's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Football Fever, Hot-Chicks, Sports Fans, Sports Writers Guild
Regions: none

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{"commentId":1303719,"authorDomain":"tang"}

Calvin Tang

In the AFC North Seattle would be 6-8.

You just hate Seattle, don't you Hob?

{"commentId":1303719,"threadId":"193189","contentId":"1181458","authorDomain":"tang"}

#1 - Wed Dec 26, 2007 8:17 PM EST

{"commentId":1304339,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

No, I'm jealous. Jealous that Seattle gets to be in a division with the worst team in football, and two other teams that work very hard at being consistently mediocre. My team on the other hand is stuck in the same division as the Patriots.

{"commentId":1304339,"threadId":"193189","contentId":"1181458","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

#1.1 - Thu Dec 27, 2007 3:32 AM EST

{"commentId":1305517,"authorDomain":"tang"}