NFL Week 16 Picks, Point Spread, TV Schedule, and Announcer Lineup

Update: The NFL Week 17 TV schedule, point spreads, and picks post is up.

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Update 12/22: The spreads for every game but one (Oakland-Cleveland) is posted, as well as the announcers for every game.

The egg that Minnesota laid on Sunday Night Football against the Panthers ensure that Week 15 would be my third straight losing week. After going 7-9 in back-to-back weeks, I am 4-6-2 heading into the Redskins-Giants Monday night game.

Hopefully the ‘Skins can cover the three and help to minimize the damage. Regardless, even if the ‘Skins don’t cover, I will still be at least 19 games over .500 for the season. For making picks on Monday/Tuesday morning based on gut instinct, I’m still feeling pretty good about the season as a whole.

What’s on tap for Week 16? As you would expect, there are some huge, pivotal games this week with tremendous playoff impact.

Among these ultra-important games: Chargers-Titans, Texans-Dolphins, Jaguars-Patriots, Ravens-Steelers, Broncos-Eagles, Cowboys-Redskins, and even the Vikings-Bears game on Monday night, considering how poorly Minnesota has played recently.

Let’s go game-by-game like we always do and look at the kickoff times, TV listings, announcers, and spreads, plus I’ll give you my pick for each.

A couple of quick things to keep in mind:

• All times are ET.
• Some games do not have all of the information filled in as of this post being published (i.e. a few games don’t have spreads yet and the announcer assignments have not yet been announced). I’ll up date this post as soon as the information is available at the506.com.
• Point spread and over-under listings are as of Sunday night, and obviously subject to change throughout the week. If you want update point spread info, or some expert advice as you make your weekly picks, below are a few helpful links.
• DocSports: NFL Odds
• DocSports: NFL Picks

And with all that said, here is your Week 16 TV schedule, point spreads, announcers, free picks, and byes.

Note: I will add my picks for the games that don’t have them whenever the spreads for that game are posted.

NFL Week 16 Viewer’s Guide

TV Schedule – Announcers – Kickoff Times – Byes

Point Spreads – Free Picks – Odds – Over-Unders

San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans

• Chargers-Titans Date: Christmas Day, Friday, December 25
• Chargers-Titans Kickoff Time: 7:30
• Chargers-Titans TV Network: NFLN
• Chargers-Titans Announcers: Bob Papa and Matt Millen
• Chargers-Titans Point Spread: Titans -3
• Chargers-Titans Over-Under Odds: 47.5
• Chargers-Titans Spread Pick: Very difficult spread here if you ask me. The Chargers and Titans are two of the hottest teams in the NFL right now, with the oddsmakers obviously giving the Titans the edge being at home. I’m not so sure. Norv Turner never loses December games with the Chargers, and if the Dolphins had a QB as solid in the clutch as Philip Rivers, they probably take down Tennessee in Week 15. Tennessee could win a close win, but I see San Diego at least covering, and probably winning outright. Chargers-Titans free pick: Chargers +3

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints

• Buccaneers-Saints Date: Sunday, December 27
• Buccaneers-Saints Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Buccaneers-Saints TV Network: FOX
• Buccaneers-Saints Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa
• Buccaneers-Saints Point Spread: Saints -15
• Buccaneers-Saints Over-Under Odds: 50
• Buccaneers-Saints Spread Pick: The Saints have really struggled in recent weeks against teams like the Rams, Redskins, and obviously the Cowboys this past week. I don’t see this weekend’s game against Tampa Bay as being all that difficult, however. Even though the Bucs took care of Seattle in Week 15, the Saints are light years ahead of the Seahawks offensively. I think this is a good bounce back game for the Saints and that there is no hangover from their first loss. When it’s Drew Brees against a very raw rookie QB, I’m taking Brees and the points. Bucs-Saints free pick: Saints -15

Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins

• Texans-Dolphins Date: Sunday, December 27
• Texans-Dolphins Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Texans-Dolphins TV Network: CBS
• Texans-Dolphins Announcers: Ian Eagle and Rich Gannon
• Texans-DolphinsPoint Spread: Dolphins -3
• Texans-Dolphins Over-Under Odds: 46
• Texans-Dolphins Spread Pick: If this were a game of Texas holdem, both Miami and Houston would be all in before the flop. The Dolphins showed a lot of grit and heart, battling back to force OT after being down by 15 at Tennessee in the 4th quarter. Chad Henne is a work in progress, but he is proving that he will be able to lead a very good passing game once the Dolphins get him some more weapons; a passing game perhaps like the Houston Texans’. This game will hinge the ability of the young Dolphins’ DBs to contain Andre Johnson. After allowing Vince Young to throw for three TD passes, there is no telling what Matt Schaub might do. I think that this will be a close game between two evenly matched 7-7 teams that are fighting for their playoff lives. Because the Dolphins have the more stable ground game and are at home, I’m siding with Miami. Texans-Dolphins free pick: Dolphins -3

Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers

• Seahawks-Packers Date: Sunday, December 27
• Seahawks-Packers Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Seahawks-Packers TV Network: FOX
• Seahawks-Packers Announcers: Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick
• Seahawks-Packers Point Spread: Packers -13.5
• Seahawks-Packers Over-Under Odds: 42
• Seahawks-Packers Spread Pick: Seattle got destroyed at home by Tampa Bay and rarely plays well on the road. The Packers will be smarting after their last-second loss to Pittsburgh. I smell a blowout in Green Bay as the Packers look to solidify their playoff positioning against a team that is clearly just playing out the string. Seahawks-Packers free pick: Packers -13.5

Carolina Panthers at New York Giants

• Panthers-Giants Date: Sunday, December 27
• Panthers-Giants Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Panthers-Giants TV Network: FOX
• Panthers-Giants Announcers: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
• Panthers-Giants Point Spread: Giants -6.5
• Panthers-Giants Over-Under Odds: 42.5
• Panthers-Giants Spread Pick: Wow, the Giants looked good on Monday night, didn’t they? It is certainly tempting to an expect a similar performance this week, but I don’t totally trust their defense yet. Washington played horribly and I’m not sure that we got a true reading on a Giants team that has really struggled the second half of this season. I think New York will win, but Carolina runs the ball well enough and can contain Eli Manning enough to keep this one close. Panthers-Giants free pick: Panthers +6.5

Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns

• Raiders-Browns Date: Sunday, December 27
• Raiders-Browns Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Raiders-Browns TV Network: CBS
• Raiders-Browns Announcers: Don Criqui and Randy Cross
• Raiders-Browns Point Spread: No line as of Tuesday morning
• Raiders-Browns Over-Under Odds: No line as of Tuesday morning
• Raiders-Browns Spread Pick:

Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots

• Jaguars-Patriots Date: Sunday, December 27
• Jaguars-Patriots Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Jaguars-Patriots TV Network: CBS
• Jaguars-Patriots Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots
• Jaguars-Patriots Point Spread: Patriots -8
• Jaguars-Patriots Over-Under Odds: 44
• Jaguars-Patriots Spread Pick: Jacksonville showed a lot of fight last Thursday night in taking the Colts down to the wire. That game, however, was at home against a division rival that Jacksonville knows well and usually plays tough. Playing the Patriots at home will be another story. The Pats are desperately trying to get their passing game back on track and the Jaguars porous secondary is just the team to do it against. I look at this as a game that the Patriots will use to get clicking on offense, and I don’t think Jacksonville can do much to stop them. Jaguars-Patriots free pick: Patriots -8

Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals

• Chiefs-Bengals Date: Sunday, December 27
• Chiefs-Bengals Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Chiefs-Bengals TV Network: CBS
• Chiefs-Bengals Announcers: Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker
• Chiefs-Bengals Point Spread: Bengals -13.5
• Chiefs-Bengals Over-Under Odds: 40
• Chiefs-Bengals Spread Pick: I was rooting for the Bengals to honor Chris Henry with a win in Week 15, but they just happened to be going up against the December buzzsaw known as the Chargers. After watching the Chiefs try to stop the Browns’ running game – and fail miserably – there is no telling what Cedric Benson and the Bengals will be able to do. Cincinnati hasn’t blown many teams out, but I can see this one getting ugly. Kansas City sucks and the Bengals need a solid home win to ensure that they are playing at home the first weekend of the playoffs. Chiefs-Bengals free pick: Bengals -13.5

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

• Ravens-Steelers Date: Sunday, December 27
• Ravens-Steelers Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Ravens-Steelers TV Network: CBS
• Ravens-Steelers Announcers: Dick Enberg and Dan Fouts
• Ravens-Steelers Point Spread: Steelers -2.5
• Ravens-Steelers Over-Under Odds: 39
• Ravens-Steelers Spread Pick: The first thing I want to say about this game is take the over. Neither of these defenses is as good as their reputation, and both QBs have proven that they like to sling it around the field. Pittsburgh narrowly escaped with a win in Week 15 and I don’t think that Joe Flacco and Baltimore are quite good enough to come into Pittsburgh and steal another one. As long as the Steelers still have Big Ben, Hines Ward, and James Harrison, it’s hard to pick against them when they are at home and a playoff spot hangs in the balance. I think they get it done. Ravens-Steelers free pick: Steelers -2.5

Buffalo Bills at Atlanta Falcons

• Bills-Falcons Date: Sunday, December 27
• Bills-Falcons Kickoff Time: 1:00
• Bills-Falcons TV Network: CBS
• Bills-Falcons Announcers: Bill Macatee and Steve Beuerlein
• Bills-Falcons Point Spread: Falcons -8
• Bills-Falcons Over-Under Odds: 41
• Bills-Falcons Spread Pick: This is a game between two teams that will not be going to the playoffs…so who really cares? I think Atlanta wins but Buffalo covers. The Bills have a solid pass D to slow down Matt Ryan and Roddy White, and the Bills should be able to run the ball enough to stay in it, even on the road. Bills-Falcons free pick: Bills +8

St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals

• Rams-Cardinals Date: Sunday, December 27
• Rams-Cardinals Kickoff Time: 4:05
• Rams-Cardinals TV Network: FOX
• Rams-Cardinals Announcers: Sam Rosen and Tim Ryan
• Rams-Cardinals Point Spread: Cardinals -14
• Rams-Cardinals Over-Under Odds: 44
• Rams-Cardinals Spread Pick: Who the hell knows with Arizona. My first instinct here is to go with the Rams, who continue to play teams well while the Cardinals have scuffled for two straight weeks. However, I think that the Cards get themselves right against heading back home and are able to take of the Rams with ease. Rams-Cardinals free pick: Cardinals -14

Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers

• Lions-49ers Date: Sunday, December 27
• Lions-49ers Kickoff Time: 4:05
• Lions-49ers TV Network: FOX
• Lions-49ers Announcers: Dick Stockton and Charles Davis
• Lions-49ers Point Spread: 49ers -10.5
• Lions-49ers Over-Under Odds: 42
• Lions-49ers Spread Pick: Another game between teams that will not be going to the playoffs. The 49ers will win this game, and I think they’ll win big. Mike Singletary is not going to let his squad play out the string, and Detroit won’t have an answer for either Frank Gore or Vernon Davis. Plus, who the hell is going to play QB for Detroit? Lions-49ers free pick: 49ers -10.5

Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles

• Broncos-Eagles Date: Sunday, December 27
• Broncos-Eagles Kickoff Time: 4:15
• Broncos-Eagles TV Network: CBS
• Broncos-Eagles Announcers: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
• Broncos-Eagles Point Spread: Eagles -7.5
• Broncos-Eagles Over-Under Odds: 41.5
• Broncos-Eagles Spread Pick: The Eagles are on fire right now, whereas Denver is really struggling to find any sense of consistency. I mean, how are you going to lose to the Raiders when JaMarcus Russell is forced to come into the game? And this is a playoff team? I don’t think Denver can play well enough on the road to beat the Eagles; the question is can they slow Philadelphia down. With their playoff lives hanging in the balance, I think the Broncos can do enough to cover the spread, but they won’t win. Broncos-Eagles free pick: Broncos +7.5

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts

• Jets-Colts Date: Sunday, December 27
• Jets-Colts Kickoff Time: 4:15
• Jets-Colts TV Network: CBS
• Jets-Colts Announcers: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
• Jets-Colts Point Spread: Colts -5.5
• Jets-Colts Over-Under Odds: 40.5
• Jets-Colts Spread Pick: This game will come down to how long the Colts’ starters stay out there. It also comes down to how well the Colts can throw the ball against the best pass defense in the NFL. The Jets play good enough defense and muck games up enough that I think they can keep this close. And if Jim Caldwell decides to keep Peyton Manning out of harm’s way, they could even win. Jets-Colts free pick: Jets +5.5

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins

• Cowboys-Redskins Date: Sunday, December 27
• Cowboys-Redskins Kickoff Time: 8:20
• Cowboys-Redskins TV Network: NBC
• Cowboys-Redskins Announcers: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth
• Cowboys-Redskins Point Spread: Cowboys -6.5
• Cowboys-Redskins Over-Under Odds: 42
• Cowboys-Redskins Spread Pick: Washington got destroyed by the Giants at home and the Cowboys beat the Saints on the road, so the Cowboys should win this one by 50 right? I say not so fast. Washington played the Cowboys tough earlier this year, and I just cannot imagine the Redskins coming out and playing with such lackluster effort again. Plus, one victory does not erase a decade of up and down Decembers for the Cowboys. I think they’ll win, but division games almost always are closer than you think. Cowboys-Redskins free pick: Redskins +6.5

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

• Vikings-Bears Date: Monday, December 28
• Vikings-Bears Kickoff Time: 8:30
• Vikings-Bears TV Network: ESPN
• Vikings-Bears Announcers: Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, and Jon Gruden
• Vikings-Bears Point Spread: Vikings -7
• Vikings-Bears Over-Under Odds: 41
• Vikings-Bears Spread Pick: Boy, this is a tough one. The Vikings are clearly the superior team based on their body of work this season, but the truth is that these two teams may actually be playing the worst football in the NFL over the last two weeks. That said, I don’t see the Bears winning this game, but I do think that they will play hard despite their season being over. It is one of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL, the Bears are at home, and it will no doubt be frigid. Brett Favre is not the cold weather QB that he once was. Vikings win, but Bears cover. Vikings-Bears free pick: Bears +7

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