Saturday started with the Titans gutting out a win to remain in the playoff hunt before the Ravens shocked the Chargers in L.A. to give them a great shot of landing a playoff spot, and potentially the AFC North crown. That'll come down to whether the Steelers can upset the Saints in New Orleans on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Chiefs head into Seattle with a chance to lock up the No. 1 seed, and if they do, their players can take the next two weeks off and get ready for January football.
We'll take you game by game to reveal how our experts picked the lines earlier in the week while also sharing our thoughts on survivor pool picks for Week 16 and showing you all the great places you can find NFL picks talk throughout the week. Let's get to it.
What NFL picks can you make with confidence in Week 16? And which Super Bowl contender goes down hard? Visit SportsLine now to see which NFL teams are winning more than 50 percent of simulations, all from the model that has beaten 98 percent of experts over the past two years, and find out.
Buccaneers at Cowboys
- Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX), stream on fuboTV (Try for free)
- Open: Cowboys -7
- Current: Cowboys -7
"Tampa looks to be playing out the string, Jameis Winston will struggle with this defense and Dallas is a different team at home. Check out the splits. This Cowboys' front-seven will bounce back after getting pushed around by the Colts. The Cowboys need only watch film of last week to see how easy it is to run the ball on the Bucs." -- Jason La Canfora on why the Cowboys are one of his best bets
La Canfora is 22-18-1 on his best bets for the season, and you can see which other teams he's taking this week in his Friday column.
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| Buccaneers at Cowboys (-7) |  | |  | | | | | |
Bills at Patriots
- Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on CBS All Access or fuboTV (Try for free)
- Open: Patriots -10.5
- Current: Patriots -13.5
"I'm gonna take the Patriots in this spot here, because people remember what they saw last -- the Patriots lost to the Steelers and lost two straight games now -- and the Bills have looked pretty decent. Josh Allen has been pretty good, but this kind of reminds me of that Patriots-Broncos playoff game after Tebow and the Broncos beat the Steelers, went into Foxborough and Patriots beat them 45-13. [Bill] Belichick just did not let Tebow do his thing, running around and making plays, and I think we'll see something similar this week. Bills are not gonna score a lot, Patriots will blow them out from pillar to post here. I love the Patriots in the first quarter, Patriots first half, Patriots for the game. Patriots win this game by at least 17 points." -- Nick Kostos on why the Patriots are one of his best bets
Kostos is joined by a cavalcade of NFL betting experts each Sunday at noon ET for SportsLine's NFL preview, where the team goes through the NFL slate each week and shares what you have to know before placing your bets. Be sure to join them at noon ET on Sunday over at CBS Sports HQ, your 24/7 home for news, analysis, Fantasy and gambling insight, and more.
Falcons at Panthers
- Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX), stream on fuboTV (Try for free)
- Open: Panthers -3.5 (pre-Cam Newton news)
- Current: Falcons -3
"With Cam Newton out, this line has swung six points toward the Falcons, and now the market is valuing the Panthers with Taylor Heinicke the same as the Cardinals (making the Falcons about six points on a neutral field in both cases). I think that valuation is off -- the Panthers were -6 on the lookahead and were already getting dinged in the market for how Cam looked. And they still bring DVOA's No. 2 rush offense into a matchup with an atrocious Atlanta defense, which will take pressure off Heinicke in the passing game. The Falcons have no reason to show up on the road, so the Panthers can win ugly here." -- R.J. White on why the Panthers are one of his SuperContest picks
I've cashed twice in the last three years in the Las Vegas SuperContest, the biggest NFL picks competition in the world. Head over to SportsLine to get all five of my contest picks, and use promo code WHITE to get your first month of access for just $1.
Jaguars at Dolphins
- Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on CBS All Access or fuboTV (Try for free)
- Open: Dolphins -4
- Current: Dolphins -3.5
"The Jaguars have not been a very good team all season long -- that win over the Patriots in September feels like a million years ago -- and they have been a very bad team on the road this year. Against the spread they're just 1-4-1, losing those games on average by 11.8 points and failing to cover by 11.3 points. This is a small line, but it's not a surprisingly small line: the Dolphins just got blown out last week by the Vikings and the Jaguars, in theory, have a good defense. I mean, they have the players, but they haven't performed well at all away from Jacksonville. The Jaguars have one road win this year (Week 1 against the Giants) and have given up an average of 374 yards per game on the road (versus 276.6 at home) and an average of 28 points per game on the road (versus 18.8 at home). Their season is over, Cody Kessler just threw for 57 passing yards in a home loss to a Josh Johnson-led Redskins team, they are all headed to Miami and probably will appreciate a week to get away. Leonard Fournette is coming out and openly saying he should be in better shape. It's hard not to fade this team, especially when the Dolphins have to win if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive." -- Will Brinson on why the Dolphins are one of his best bets
Brinson has been on fire with his best bets, going 9-1 over the last two weeks. See who else he's taking in his Friday column.
Giants at Colts
- Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on CBS All Access or fuboTV (Try for free)
- Open: Colts -9.5
- Current: Colts -9.5
"I know the Giants looked bad last week against the Titans. And I know the Colts have been playing well on both sides of the ball. But this is a lot of points, and the Giants have the ability to run ball with Saquon Barkley. I think that will keep them in the game." -- Pete Prisco on why the Giants are one of his best bets
Prisco is backing five underdogs in his bid to catch Will Brinson in the SuperContest. See who else he likes in his Friday column.
Texans at Eagles
- Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on fuboTV (Try for free)
- Open: Texans -1.5
- Current: Eagles -1.5
"The Eagles' shocker over the Los Angeles Rams has triggered a breakout of Philly fever. Suddenly, the public is viewing Philadelphia through a 2017 lens - the version that won the Super Bowl. Well, this isn't that team. The secondary is shoddy, owing largely to injuries, and the defense ranks 29th. Even though QB Nick Foles is the reigning Super Bowl hero, he remains a backup. The offense, which stands at a middling 17th, is not as versatile without ailing Carson Wentz (back) behind center. Has there ever been a less appreciated team with a 10-4 record than Houston? The Texans have won five in a row on the road, so they will not be distracted by the rabid Eagles fans." -- Mike Tierney on why the Texans are one of his top underdog picks
SportsLine's Mike Tierney knows in order to win your office pick 'em pools, you need to nail the right underdog picks. He's got two more 'dogs to consider in his SportsLine column.
Vikings at Lions
- Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX), stream on fuboTV (Try for free)
- Open: Vikings -4
- Current: Vikings -6
"Detroit scored 13 points last week and Matthew Stafford has three TD passes over his last five games. The Lions are missing their top running back and only have one healthy legitimate wideout. Minnesota ran the ball 40 times last week, and that really helps Kirk Cousins and the defense. Minnesota needs the game, and Detroit is horrible. This is a bargain at 5.5." -- Hammerin' Hank Goldberg on why the Vikings are one of his best bets
Legendary handicapper Hank Goldberg swept his three best bets in Week 14 again, returning a juicy 6-to-1 payout for anyone that followed his picks. See who else he's putting in his three-team parlay in Week 16 over at SportsLine.
Packers at Jets
- Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX), stream on fuboTV (Try for free)
- Open: Packers -3
- Current: Packers -2.5
Will Brinson: "I will take the Jets +2.5 against the Packers. My logic here is that the Packers are terrible! Aaron Rodgers is hurt, and if [the Jets] get any pressure on him, I think, Pete, that you're going to see the Packers yank Aaron Rodgers out of there, pull the plug on this whole sham of a season and get him into 2019 healthy. If he tears his ACL against the Jets in Week 16 after they've been eliminated from the playoffs, that entire franchise should be shot to the moon --"
Nick Kostos: "How do you make a leap like that? Like, he's gonna tear his ACL, where did that come from?"
Brinson: "He's got a hurt knee and a hurt groin! What is he doing on the field in Week 16? Sit him out!"
Pete Prisco: "He's healthy enough to play, he plays!"
Brinson: "It's insane! What if he gets hurt? What if he breaks his leg?"
Prisco: "He can get hurt in Week 5 --"
Kostos: "He can get hurt crossing the street --"
Brinson: "They're eliminated from the playoffs, they need him in 2019 if they want to be any good at all. Playing him this week and next week is insane. I get the leadership and the reps and all that, but you're gonna have a new coach, new system, new young receivers in there, you have to make sure he's healthy for the offseason. This is crazy."
That's from the Friday edition of the Pick Six Podcast, hosted by Will Brinson five days a week. You can check it out below and get our thoughts on the entire NFL slate. Remember to click the button to subscribe!
Bengals at Browns
- Time: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on CBS All Access or fuboTV (Try for free)
- Open: Browns -6.5
- Current: Browns -9
In an earlier version of this post, I recommended the Titans as a survivor pool pick, thinking they were a safe play for a win and knowing that most of the competitors left alive would be going with the Browns. It wasn't easy, but the Titans ultimately pulled it off on Saturday. But if you didn't get them in as your survivor play, the Browns are the obvious selection, as they're rolling offensively and head into this game as the biggest favorite they've been in years.
But that's just my opinion. If you head over the SportsLine, you can get Mike Tierney's survivor pool thoughts for Week 16. Tierney is 138-84 picking every game straight up this year, so you'll want to hear what he has to say.
Rams at Cardinals
- Time: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX), stream on fuboTV (Try for free)
- Open: Rams -13.5
- Current: Rams -14.5
"The Rams might be coming off an uninspiring effort against Nick Foles and the Eagles but two things to remember: They're still the No. 2 seed in the NFC, and they have an easier schedule than the top-seeded Saints over the final two weeks. While New Orleans hosts Pittsburgh and Carolina, L.A. travel to the hapless Cardinals and then finish at home against the 49ers. For Arizona, all that's left to play for is experience for rookie Josh Rosen and perhaps a last-ditch effort for first-year coach Steve Wilks to save his job." -- Ryan Wilson on why he thinks the Rams win but the Cardinals cover in this game
Wilson is 139-83-2 straight up this season as he projects the score of every single NFL game. You can see the rest of his picks in his Wednesday column.
Bears at 49ers
- Time: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX), stream on fuboTV (Try for free)
- Open: Bears -3.5
- Current: Bears -4
"The injuries to safety Eddie Jackson and pass rusher Aaron Lynch, both of whom will presumably miss Sunday's game, will be felt by the Bears. But the Bears are still substantially better than the 49ers on both sides of the ball. While 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens has outshot all reasonable expectations, he'll likely struggle against a defense that is the best in the league by a significant margin. He's thrown six interceptions in six starts. The Bears lead the league in takeaways by a significant margin. On the other side of the ball, after Mitchell Trubisky submitted one of his best outings of the season against Packers, he should find more success against a 49ers defense that ranks 23rd in DVOA. Trubisky tends to be pretty good when he isn't under pressure and the 49ers' defense isn't particularly good at attacking quarterbacks. Against the pass, they're 25th in DVOA. I think the Bears will jump out to a big lead and that will be enough. After an emotional win over the Packers, don't expect the Bears to suffer a letdown. Suddenly, they're in play for a first-round playoff bye. They still have too much to play for to take a week off." -- Sean Wagner-McGough on why the Bears are one of his best bets
Wagner-McGough is up to 42-32-1 in his best bets this season, and he has four other picks he likes in his Thursday column.
Steelers at Saints
- Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS), stream on CBS All Access or fuboTV (Try for free)
- Open: Saints- 6.5
- Current: Saints -6.5
"I have no idea why, but the Steelers' kicking situation has somehow turned into my favorite ongoing drama in the NFL. Chris Boswell has been so bad this year that it's basically a Christmas miracle anytime he actually hits a ball through the uprights. ... Of course, Boswell isn't the only person in Pittsburgh I'm worried about. If this game comes down to Mike Tomlin throwing a challenge flag, there's a 100 percent chance the Steelers are going to lose. I mean, the real Christmas miracle on Sunday would be if Tomlin actually wins a challenge in this game [after 10 straight lost challenges]. That's so bad, it's almost impressive. In what might go down as my craziest prediction of the year, I say that Boswell makes all his field goals, Tomlin wins at least one challenge AND the Steelers win in New Orleans. And yes, I'm already regretting two of those three predictions." -- John Breech on why the Steelers will upset the Saints in New Orleans
Breech's perfect record picking Seahawks games went up in smoke last week, but you can still see his picks and score projections for every Week 16 game in his Tuesday column.
Chiefs at Seahawks
- Time: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC), stream on fuboTV (Try for free)
- Open: Chiefs -2
- Current: Chiefs -2.5
When it comes to Chiefs vs. Seahawks on Sunday Night Football, you need to hear what former Vegas bookmaker Micah Roberts has to say. Roberts is an insane 12-1 in his last 13 spread picks for or against Kansas City, including fading the Chiefs (-3.5) in their Week 15 home loss to the Chargers. "The Chiefs have gone just 1-4-1 ATS since starting the season 7-0 ATS," Roberts wrote then. "I wouldn't call them overrated, but I would suggest they're not as good without Kareem Hunt."
Roberts, who ran the Station Casinos sportsbooks for 13 years, shared his take on this game over at SportsLine. See which side of the line he likes before you lock in your pick.
Broncos at Raiders
- Time: Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Open: Broncos -2.5
- Current: Broncos -3
Roberts is also an amazing 10-3 in his last 13 spread picks for or against Denver, including fading the Broncos (-3) at home in Week 15 vs. Cleveland. "The Broncos we saw lose in Week 14 at San Francisco are really who they are," Roberts wrote, urging readers to back Cleveland without hesitation. "They've been decimated with injuries at all positions and the product at San Fran was a reflection of trying to patch up the wide receivers, offensive line, linebackers and secondary." The result: Browns 17, Broncos 16 -- an outright upset. Anyone who has followed him is up big-time.
Roberts is leaning to the Under on Monday night, but you'll really want to hear which side of the line he's taking. Check it out at SportsLine before you lock in your pick.
Thanks for checking us out, and good luck with your picks in Week 16!
