NFL Week 16 Preview

Ravens @ Cowboys, Saturday 8:15pm
Evan: I am benching Romo for this game in favor of Matt Ryan. Ravens defense is too stingy. Also, do you think they’re a little pissed off after that Pittsburgh game? Pick: Ravens
Mike: Wow, a good NFL Net matchup? There is a small chance I’ll check out some of this game. How is Pacman back? How many times has he been done for the year? I think the question is if the Cowboys are clicking or if the Giants are just lousy now. The Ravens came so close to OT. Ravens D: good. Flacco: good. Pick: Ravens
Ahad: The Ravens defense is nasty. They will be fired up after that call against the Steelers last week. Romo will spend much of the evening on the ground. Pick: Ravens
Matt: The Ravens defense may be nasty, but the Cowboys defense has played very well over the past 5 weeks or so. They should continue to play well here. As long as Romo has time in the pocket, he should be able to challenge the Ravens secondary. This is also the last game in Texas Stadium (most likely), so the Cowboys have some extra incentive. I say they get it done again this week. Pick: Cowboys

Steelers @ Titans, Sunday 1pm
Evan: A few weeks ago I said I was going to continue picking against the Titans until they lost. Well, that has happened, and I’m still picking against them. Pick: Steelers
Mike: I talked about how I liked the Steelers this year and add to that the Titans looking like they’ve forgotten how to win. My only concern is that it may be too warm in Tennessee for the Steelers. Pick: Steelers
Ahad: The Titans are missing 2 starting d-linemen and the Steelers can stop the run. Pick: Steelers
Matt: I also like the Steelers in this game, and I am not quite sure why. This will be another grind it out game between two tough defenses. The winner likely gets home field throughout the playoffs. Pick: Steelers

Chargers @ Buccaneers, Sunday 1pm
Evan: I know who we are all rooting for here, and I actually think Phillip Rivers will put on a show. The problem is that the Bucs are too good at home. Pick: Tampa
Mike: Bucs at home, I’ve learned my lesson. The Chargers don’t scare me much either. Pick: Buccaneers
Ahad: NFC South at home, enough said. Pick: Tampa
Matt: Oh boy, this is a tough one. The Chargers can still win the division, so they will come ready to play. It is hard to pick against Tampa Bay at home, but they have been faltering of late. Who knows what you will get with the Chargers? If they play like they do in the 4th quarter, they can win this game. I’d like the Chargers to make things interesting going into their final game against Denver. Pick: Chargers

Falcons @ Vikings, Sunday 4:15pm
Evan: I know who we are all rooting for here, and I actually think Matt Ryan will put on a show. The problem (or good thing) is that the Vikings are home, and, well, I’ve just got a feeling. Pick: Minnesota
Mike: Motivating the Vikings: a division crown. Motivating the Falcons: a playoff spot (assuming they would also beat the Rams). The Vikings haven’t decided on Jackson or Frerotte, but that isn’t too concerning. The Pat Williams injury concerns me for the Vikings. I have the opposite feeling of Evan, Matt Ryan will put on a show and lead his team to a victory. Pick: Falcons
Ahad: Who is playing QB for the Vikings this week? Jackson was impressive last week. Peterson runs wild at home. Pick: Vikings
Matt: Pat Williams missing from the lineup will hurt the Vikings some, but they at least still have the other half of the Williams wall. I think Adrian Peterson outplays Michael Turner, and the Vikings defense forces a few turnovers from Matt Ryan. Pick: Vikings

Panthers @ Giants, Sunday 8:15pm
Evan: I feel like this is a marquee matchup that I’m not real excited about watching. I’ve never liked either of these teams. It will kind of be like watching Ohio State and USC play or The Yankees and Astros. Pick: Giants
Mike: I liked the Panthers because they drafted Kerry Collins. They don’t really cross my mind much these days. What is going on with the Giants? The numbers are fairly even in this game. Take away Burress but add it being in NY still leaves it up in the air. I’ve got to lean on the fact that the Giants aren’t playing well. Pick: Panthers
Ahad: The Giants are struggling. The offensive line is banged up and the Panthers are on a roll. The Panthers are the one team from the NFC South that I can see winning on the road. They will rely on the running game to carry them to victory. Pick: Panthers
Matt: The Giants are reeling a little bit, and the Panthers are hot. If the Panthers can get their running game going, it will be good night for the Giants. I think Delhomme will struggle a bit. However, I somehow feel the Giants will pull this one out. Just call it a gut feeling. Pick: Giants