Forecaster Frank NFL Picks Week 16: Christmas Beatings

Another week of mediocrity saw me post a record of 8-7-1. Overall, my record is 103-116-5.

Thursday Night

• NO +4 (o/u 46.5)
• Saints 23 Rams 20

Two perfectly mediocre teams play, with each team firmly on the playoff bubble. The Saints have their chance to win the NFC South, while the Rams need to claw their way into the Wild Card spots. Neither team is consistent, but the Saints have the higher upside and will win the game on the road. 

Saturday

• Cin -2 (o/u 36.5)
• Bengals 17 Steelers 13

It's a game of survival, as the losers will watch their playoff hopes come to an end. Each team has been affected by injuries, as Mason Rudolph will get the start after Mitch Trubisky failed to win a game. The Steelers hope Rudolph can find their island of misfits and make Steelers fans have a Merry Christmas. 

• Buf -12 (o/u 43.5)
• Bills 47 Chargers 10

The Bills are finally playing at a high level and getting hot at the right time, while the Chargers have quit. An interim coach cannot save the Chargers, who wish they were home for Christmas. 

Sunday at 1

• Atl -1 (o/u 44.5)
• Falcons 20 Colts 17

The Falcons season went off the rails last week when they lost to the Panthers in the rain. The Colts are making a press for the AFC South division title, taking advantage of the Jaguars' collapse. This should be a Colts win, but the Falcons will find a way to win. Why? I am going the opposite because I can never get the Falcons right. 

• GB -5 (o/u 36.5)
• Packers 27 Panthers 16

The Packers season is on the line, as they need to recover after two straight losses. The Panthers won their second game of the season last week, taking advantage of the rain to stop the Falcons. Jordan Love needs to finish the season strong, whether or not the Packers can get in the playoffs. 

• Cle -2.5 (o/u 40.5)
• Browns 19 Texans 9

C.J. Stroud is expected to miss another game as he remains in concussion protocol. Somehow, the Texans won last week, but it is hard to see a repeat performance as the Browns' defense, led by Myles Garrett, has become a force that has Cleveland on the verge of a postseason berth. 

• Det -3.5 (o/u 46.5)
• Lions 27 Vikings 13

The Lions can clinch their first division title since 1993 with a win. The Lions and the Browns are the only NFL teams without a division title under the four-division format. That Christmas, the hottest toy was a Talkboy from the movie Home Alone 2. The Vikings are just too banged up to prevent it from happening. 

• Was +3 (o/u 37.5)
• Commaders 5 Jets 3

Santa will give Children on the Naughty List tickets for this game this year. The ridiculous notion that Aaron Rodgers would play is finally out, with the Jets eliminated from the playoffs. The Commanders' defense is terrible, but the Jets' offense is incompetent. Watching this game is punishment. 

• Ten +3 (o/u 41.5)
• Titans 20 Seahawks 16

The Seahawks have struggled away from home all season. The Titans have played well at home, posting a 4-3 record in Nashville. Expect a strong game from Derrick Henry as the Titans hurt the Seahawks' playoff hopes. 

Sunday Late Games

• TB -1 (o/u 42.5)
• Buccaneers 24 Jaguars 13

Trevor Lawrence clearly is not right, as he has struggled in the last two games after injuring his ankle. Now, trying to clear concussion protocol, it is hard to expect a big game here. Look for the Buccaneers to make a big step toward winning the NFC South again as they win a game against the state rivals. 

• Ari +4 (o/u 44.5)
• Cardinals 20 Bears 17

Both teams have quietly played better over the last month as Kyler Murray and Justin Fields try to convince their teams that they can be the quarterback of the future. Truthfully, the winner is the loser, which means a better draft pick. Look for this game to be close, with the Cardinals winning behind Murray's arm. 

• Mia -1.5 (o/u 51.5)
• Dolphins 30 Cowboys 23

This could be the best game of the week, as the Dolphins need to prove they can beat a good team. They recovered nicely after their disastrous loss to the Titans, but beating the Jets 30-0 is nothing compared to a Cowboys team that needs to rebound after their worst game of the season. Perhaps the magic of the throwback uniforms will help lead the Dolphins to victory as Tyreek Hill gets back on track after missing last week with a sore ankle. 

Sunday Night

• NE +6.5 (o/u 34.5)
• Broncos 20 Patriots 17

They are calling this the Holiday Classic because the name shit game nobody wants to watch does not roll off the tongue. To illustrate how much this game sucks. NBC is showing "It's a Wonderful Life," while this stinker will air on NFL Network.   

Christmas

• LV +10 (o/u 41.5)
• Chiefs 24 Raiders 20

The Chiefs have often been shaky in their quest for a repeat, as their offense has been out of sync most of the season. Even when they win, they often fail to cover big point spreads. This one feels like a backdoor cover for the Raiders. 

• Phi -12 (o/u 42.5)
• Eagles 38 Giants 13

The Eagles have dropped their last three games, as they are suddenly reeling and need a lifeline. Come the Giants, who the Eagles have owned over the last decade. The Eagles have won 15 of the last 18 games against the Giants, including three wins last season culminating with the Divisional Playoffs. Expect that trend to continue as the Eagles get back on track.

• SF -5/5 (o/u 46.5)
• 49ers 27 Ravens 20

The two best teams in the NFL wrap up Christmas with a bow, as the winner could emerge as the Super Bowl favorite. The 49ers offense looks unstoppable as you make a case that Brock Purdy or Christian McCaffery could be the MVP. The Ravens have not faced a game like this, while the Niners appear to be getting stronger each week.