Dec 20, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws the ball during the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
It is Week 16 of the National Football League season, and the games are getting bigger by the second. Well, for some teams. Other teams are simply awful and playing out the string, and we can all thank God that it is almost over. My goodness, the pain is unbearable.
For the Kansas City Chiefs, they simply need two wins at home in Weeks 16 and 17 to get into the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. This would be the first time that has happened for this franchise since 1995 and 1997. Yikes.
Here are my Week 16 NFL picks, with the lines coming from OddsShark.
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs (-13.5)
Kansas City (9-5) has won eight straight games and Cleveland (3-11) is absolutely horrible. This is the kind of game that the Chiefs have to get ahead early and bury the Browns before this becomes interesting. Cleveland can’t stop the run or protect the quarterback. Its weapons are embarrassing. Time to win.
Pick: Kansas City 30, Cleveland 9
San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders (-5)
Oakland (6-8) is improving while San Diego (4-10) is a dumpster fire. With the Chargers being done with the home slate, it is time for those boys to roll over for winter.
Pick: Oakland 27, San Diego 20
Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles (-3)
Washington (7-7) is a better team than Philadelphia (6-8) which might be the biggest disappointment in the NFC. Chip Kelly made a ton of wild personnel moves and missed the mark. Time to get fired.
Pick: Washington 23, Philadelphia 17
Carolina Panthers (-7.5) at Atlanta Falcons
Carolina (14-0) is really good and Atlanta (7-7) has completely fallen apart. This should be a cakewalk for the Panthers, who are looking like a great bet to enter the postseason undefeated.
Pick: Carolina 28, Atlanta 10
Dallas Cowboys at Buffalo Bills (-7)
Dallas (4-10) is terrible. Buffalo (6-8) is about to fire everybody. Good times.
Pick: Buffalo 16, Dallas 13
Next: More early window games