NFL Picks Against the Spread 2017: Week 16 Games

Before the 16th Sunday of the 2017 NFL regular season kicks off, let’s have some fun by taking a look at the spreads for today’s games. (Click here for NFL Week 16 picks without regard to the spread.)

Here are suggestions when trying to beat the odds. You can find all of today’s NFL betting lines and more via SB Nation. My regular season record after the 15th week is 107-89-8. Let’s get to the picks.

NFL Week 16 Games

Detroit Lions (-3) at Cincinnati Bengals:

Los Angeles Rams (-6) at Tennessee Titans: The Titans are frauds. The Rams are not. It’s really that simple. Tennessee has overachieved to get to eight wins. Los Angeles is legitimately one of the best teams in the league. This game should underscore how much coaching matters in the NFL. PICK: Rams -6

Los Angeles Chargers (-7) at New York Jets: If Josh McCown was still starting, it’d be tempting to take the Jets here. If McCown was starting, though, the line wouldn’t be this big for the Chargers. #Analysis. The west-to-east thing is always a factor, but I think L.A. can get this win. PICK: Chargers -7

Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs (-10): The Chiefs can clinch the AFC West with a win today. Andy Reid’s not going to let that opportunity slip away. Miami showed signs of life earlier this month but that ended with a loss to Buffalo last week. The Chiefs will roll at home. PICK: Chiefs -10

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers (-10): Just don’t see the reason to take the Bucs in this one. Tampa Bay is bad and they’re playing on a short week. The Panthers will still have their edge since they can still win the NFC South if New Orleans slips up. PICK: Panthers -10

Denver Broncos at Washington Redskins (-3): Washington is going to continue to pick up some meaningless wins at the expense of their draft position and having to pay their overvalued quarterback even more money. PICK: Washington -3

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-6): The Saints are going to get their revenge after losing to Atlanta earlier this month. The Falcons are playing on a short week and they’re just not that impressive right now. PICK: Saints -6

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-11.5): The Bills will cover but the Pats will win. New England has the potential to clinch the No. 1 seed with a win. Division games can be tougher than they appear on paper, though. PICK: Bills +11.5

Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears (-5): There’s too much on the line for the Browns to lose this game. Cleveland can clinch the No. 1 seed with a loss today. I could totally see the Bears losing this one, but it’s hard to have enough faith in Cleveland to actually take them to win. PICK: Bears -5

Jacksonville Jaguars (-4.5) at San Francisco 49ers: Interesting game! The 49ers look much improved with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm. Are they improved to the point where they can have success against arguably the best defense in the NFL? Maybe. I don’t think the 49ers are good enough to win their fourth game in a row, though. PICK: Jaguars -4.5

Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys (-4): Seattle got the crap beaten out of them last week. Could they suffer their third straight loss in a row? Well, probably. The Seahawks have a lot of injuries and their offensive line is a major concern. The Dallas defense isn’t good but they’re able to rush the passer. The loser of this team is eliminated from the playoff picture, so it’s a high-stakes game. Just don’t see the Cowboy losing at home in Ezekiel Elliott’s return. The NFL will pull out an index card that allows Dallas to win even if the Seahawks are ahead at the end of the game. PICK: Cowboys -4

New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals (-3): The Cards play pretty tough at home, so I’m sure I’ll regret this later, but I don’t know. Just don’t have a lot of faith in Drew Stanton here. New York is 6-8 against the spread this year while Arizona is tied for second worst in the NFL at 4-9-1. PICK: Giants +3

Pittsburgh Steelers (-9) at Houston Texans: The Texans just don’t have anything left. They’re banged up and have nothing to play for. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has a chance to potentially clinch a first-round bye this week. I’m a little wary of taking the Steelers on the road since they’ve played down to their competition at times, but they should be motivated after suffering a tough loss last week. PICK: Steelers -9

Oakland Raiders at Philadelphia Eagles (-9): I’m getting “Week 16 of the 2013 season” vibes for this game. That’s when the Eagles completely demolished Chicago by a final score of 54 to 11. I think the Eagles will treat their fans to a big win on Christmas. Oakland could be officially eliminated from the playoffs before Monday. The Eagles are bound to bounce back at home after a shaky performance against the G-Men. Philadelphia is still 10-4 against the spread this season. PICK: Eagles -9