We’re on to Week 16 in the NFL, which kicks off Thursday with the San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans facing off. That means it’s time once again for our weekly look at the point spreads in order to help you win some money.
Last week, Charles Curtis went 6-8 (110-111 record overall), Charles McDonald went 8-6 (92-102 overall) and Prince Grimes went 5-9 (22-20 overall).
We now go to them for a comment before the Week 16 picks.
Charles C: A step back as the end of the season looms. THE DRAMA!
Charles M: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! We’re stacking the winning weeks, I’m back!
Prince: The Lions beat the Cardinals for crying out loud. It was just one of those weeks. We move forward.
1
49ers at Titans (+3.5)
Charles C: 49ers
Weird things can happen on Thursday nights, but I think the Niners have hit their stride and will take care of business.
Charles M: 49ers
The 49ers are looking like the team we expected them to be before the season. I think they win big.
Prince: 49ers
The Titans team we just saw against the Steelers won’t be able to do much against one of the league’s hottest teams.
2
Browns at Packers (-7.5)
(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Charles C: Packers
I hesitated for a second thinking about the Browns’ defense, but I don’t think they’ll have enough to stop Aaron Rodgers.
Charles M: Packers
The Packers might be the best team in the NFL, even if the Browns were healthy they would get rolled in this game.
Prince: Packers
I’m looking for Aaron Rodgers to continue his MVP campaign and the Browns to do absolutely nothing about it.
3
Colts at Cardinals (-1.5)
Charles C: Colts
Do I buy in on the struggling Cardinals to bounce back from a loss to the … Lions … or the exploding Colts? Indy it is!
Charles M: Colts
Hello Jonathan Taylor! This is a perfect matchup for the best running back in the league this year, going against the weak Cardinals run defense. I think the Colts can ride him to victory.
Prince: Cardinals
The Cards are sliding but I still trust their complete body of work more than Indy.
4
Bills at Patriots (-2.5)
Charles C: Patriots
I’m back to not betting against Bill Belichick at home this season. The spread is close enough for me to feel OK with this selection.
Charles M: Bills
I think the Bills can cover this spread and potentially win as long as the weather doesn’t get out of control like last time. The Bills defense should be able to slow down Mac Jones if he has more opportunities to throw the ball.
Prince: Bills
The weather should be a little tamer than the first time these teams met, which means Mac Jones may have to do a little more. I’ll take the points in a close one.
5
Buccaneers at Panthers (+10.5)
Charles C: Buccaneers
Cam Newton, Sam Darnold … doesn’t matter. The Bucs’ defense will keep the Panthers from doing much.
Charles M: Buccaneers
C’mon.
Prince: Buccaneers
Tampa may have to play more conservative than normal with all the injuries, but I just can’t trust Carolina to score enough to keep it competitive.
6
Chargers at Texans (+8.5)
Charles C: Chargers
Is this spread close because Austin Ekeler might miss the game? I can’t explain it. But this is a fairly easy choice.
Charles M: Chargers
C’mon part two.
Prince: Chargers
This spread is even closer than I would’ve guessed.
7
Ravens at Bengals (-2.5)
(AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Charles C: Bengals
Tyler Huntley has been impressive in the place of Lamar Jackson, so if he plays again, maybe he keeps it close? It’s a coin flip, but I think Joe Burrow has a monster day to push it to the home favorites.
Charles M: Bengals
The Ravens are just too banged up. Maybe they can keep it close, but the Bengals are way healthier at this point in time.
Prince: Bengals
I’m torn here but I’m just going to roll with the healthier team at this point.
8
Lions at Falcons (-5.5)
Charles C: Lions
That’s kind of a large spread for a team that just came off a win over the Cardinals, and for a squad that has suddenly hit its stride.
Charles M: Lions
Lions have a chance to win, let alone cover the spread. This Falcons team is brutally bad.
Prince: Lions
Detroit is 9-5 against the spread this season and have played better teams closer.
9
Giants at Eagles (-9.5)
Charles C: Eagles
What if the Giants start Jake Fromm? How can I back them? I know Philly isn’t great and I know the Giants defense can be tougher than you think. But I can’t do it.
Charles M: Giants
Not sure the Eagles should be favored by almost 10 points over any team.
Prince: Giants
The Giants held Philly to seven their last meeting. That won’t happen again, but I could see another tight game.
10
Rams at Vikings (+3.5)
Charles C: Vikings
If L.A. is the contender we think they are, this is a game they win AND cover in. But I can’t shake how the Vikings keep things close.
Charles M: Vikings
Call it a gut feeling, but this feels like one of those weird games that the Vikings show up for and win.
Prince: Rams
The Rams defend better and with increasing effectiveness each week.
11
Bears at Seahawks (-6.5)
(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Charles C: Bears
I’m just not sure I can back that struggling Seahawks offense to cover. Kind of a large spread when you see how they’ve played lately.
Charles M: Seahawks
Justin Fields is talented and looking like a potential star for the Bears, but they’re just too outmanned against, well, everybody.
Prince: Seahawks
Seattle doesn’t stop the pass, but they’ve been decent enough against the run. One dimensional is the last thing the Bears offense needs to be.
12
Broncos at Raiders (-0.5)
Charles C: Raiders
Sorry, Drew Lock. Not this week.
Charles M: Raiders
Think this spread might be an overreaction to the Raiders performance against the Browns. This is a more normal week and they should be able to clear this line fairly easily.
Prince: Raiders
The Broncos are starting Drew Lock, right?
13
Steelers at Chiefs (-8.5)
Charles C: Chiefs
I hate how big the spread is, but if the Chiefs are truly back, this is a game they win by a pair of scores.
Charles M: Chiefs
The Steelers keep managing to avoid horrible records, but this team isn’t very good. They’ll really struggle to move the ball against this improved Chiefs defense.
Prince: Chiefs
I make this pick with hesitation because of KC’s coronavirus outbreak. But if enough of their big playmakers return, I like the Chiefs to cover.
14
Washington at Cowboys (-10.5)
Charles C: Washington
Too big of a spread for two divisional teams who just met, with Dallas winning by just seven points.
Charles M: Cowboys
The Cowboys offense doesn’t need to come back to life to clear this spread. Washington is #notgood.
Prince: Washington
At what point do we stop expecting Dallas’ offense to morph back into something it might not be?
15
Dolphins at Saints (-3.5)
Charles C: Saints
A good setup for Taysom Hill to thrive and for the impressive Saints D to keep the Dolphins from doing much of anything.
Charles M: Saints
The Saints defense is carrying this team and I think they’ll be able to give Tua and the Dolphins offense some real fits.
Prince: Saints
New Orleans’ defense regained some of its form last week. Let’s see if they can keep it up.
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