With a game on Christmas Day and three games on Saturday, the NFL is giving us the gift of football this festive season. With playoff spots to be clinched, divisions to be won, and the race to the first overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft to be decided, there is sure to be drama and upsets. Find out who’s winning in Week 16 with our NFL predictions against the spread.
Week 16 NFL Predictions against the spread
All spread lines are provided by DraftKings and were correct at the time of writing. They are, of course, subject to change the closer we get to kickoff.
Friday, December 25th, 4:30 PM ET
Minnesota Vikings (+7.5) @ New Orleans Saints (-7.5)
The New Orleans Saints can win the NFC South with a win over the Minnesota Vikings when they kick off Week 16 on Christmas Day. Whether it is Drew Brees or Taysom Hill directing the offense, they should dominate the Vikings defense. Minnesota has allowed the eighth-most passing yards per game, whereas the Saints have been defensively solid in 2020.
NFL predictions against the spread for Week 16 Thursday Night Football: Saints win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Minnesota Vikings 23, New Orleans Saints 34
NFL Week 16: Saturday Football Predictions
Saturday, December 26th, 1 PM ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7.5) @ Detroit Lions (+7.5)
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Ford Field looking to secure a place in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions have only NFL draft position left to play for. The Lions have one of the worst rush defenses in the NFL in 2020. As a result, expect the Buccaneers to ram the ball down their throats with Leonard Fournette and the returning Ronald Jones.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 16 clash: Tampa Bay wins and covers the spread.
Final score prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, Detroit Lions 21
Saturday, December 26th, 4:30 PM ET
San Francisco 49ers (+3.5) @ Arizona Cardinals (-3.5)
Kyler Murray leads the Arizona Cardinals in their NFC West rivalry game against the injury-ravaged San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals need the win to keep the pressure on the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams at the top of the NFC West. Despite putting up 33 points on the Dallas Cowboys, the 49ers’ offense won’t be a match for Murray.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 16 NFC West clash: Cardinals win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: San Francisco 49ers 21, Arizona Cardinals 27
Saturday, December 26th, 8:15 PM ET
Miami Dolphins (-2.5) @ Las Vegas Raiders (+2.5)
After knocking the New England Patriots out of playoff contention, the Miami Dolphins can improve their own postseason potential with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Although the Raiders have a more potent offense than the Patriots, the Dolphins’ defense should be more than a match for them. The Raiders have lost four of their last five to obliterate their playoff chances.
NFL predictions against the spread for Week 16 Saturday Night Football: Dolphins win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Miami Dolphins 27, Las Vegas Raiders 23
NFL Week 16: Sunday Football Predictions
Sunday, December 27th, 1 PM ET
Atlanta Falcons (+10.5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (-10.5)
Despite the best efforts of Matt Ryan and the offense, the Atlanta Falcons are 4-10. Their record is a result of having the third-worst passing defense in the NFL. After giving up another big lead to Tom Brady, the Falcons face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16. The Falcons have little to no chance of stalling the Chiefs’ offense as Kansas City marches on towards the Super Bowl.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 16 clash: Chiefs win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Atlanta Falcons 23, Kansas City Chiefs 34
Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets
The New York Jets caused the upset of Week 15, sending shockwaves through the NFL. With their win over the Los Angeles Rams, they impacted the race for the NFC West title. More importantly for Jets fans, however, they also gave up the first overall pick in the NFL draft. With the Cleveland Browns very much still in playoff contention, I expect them to overcome the Jets.
Although the Browns’ powerful run game faces a tough challenge against the Jets’ defensive line, Baker Mayfield has shown he can lead the Cleveland offense with his arm.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 16 matchup: no spread available at the time of writing.
Final score prediction: Cleveland Brown 31, New York Jets 17
Indianapolis Colts (+2.5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5)
Two of the top teams in the AFC go head-to-head in a game that will have huge playoff implications. This should be a close game with both teams being defensively dominant so far this season. Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers will battle in a clash of the 2004 NFL Draft class of quarterbacks. The Indianapolis Colts have a slight offensive advantage and could seal a surprise victory at Heinz Field.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 16 showdown: Colts win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Indianapolis Colts 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 23
Carolina Panthers (+2.0) @ Washington Football Team (-2.0)
Both teams have losing records coming into this Week 16 clash, but remarkably the Washington Football Team is still in playoff contention due to the NFC East’s dire nature this season. The Carolina Panthers contained Aaron Rodgers well in Week 15, and this game should prove to be a defensive matchup. With the expected return of Christian McCaffrey, the winner could be decided by which team dominates on the ground.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 16 game: Washington wins but with a push on the spread.
Final score prediction: Carolina Panthers 21, Washington Football Team 23
Chicago Bears (-7.5) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (+7.5)
The Mitch Trubisky transformation continued in Week 15 as the Chicago Bears defeated NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings. The Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t won since opening weekend, with a high pick in the NFL draft the only light at the end of a dark 2020 tunnel. They’ve been abysmal at defending the run in that losing streak. As a result, a resurgent David Montgomery should be the difference-maker in a Bears win.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 16 clash: Bears win but fail to cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Chicago Bears 23, Jacksonville Jaguars 17
New York Giants @ Baltimore Ravens
Dez Byrant got his first touchdown in three years as the Baltimore Ravens trounced the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15. With the win, they kept the pressure on the teams above them in the AFC North and the race for a playoff spot. The New York Giants are one of the better teams at stopping the run in the NFL, putting the emphasis on Lamar Jackson to lead with his arm. Arguably, the Giants need the win more for their chances of making the postseason. However, the Ravens should secure a comfortable win.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 16 matchup: no spread available at the time of writing.
Final score prediction: New York Giants 19, Baltimore Ravens 27
Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans
Since Joe Burrow suffered his season-ending injury, the Cincinnati Bengals have struggled to get anything going on offense. Although the Houston Texans have had their own struggles, Deshaun Watson should be able to guide them to just their fifth win of the season. The best chance the Bengals have of getting a surprise win is to run on the second-worst rush defense in the NFL this season.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 16 battle: no spread available at the time of writing.
Final score prediction: Cincinnati Bengals 16, Houston Texans 24
Sunday, December 27th, 4:05 PMET
Denver Broncos (+3.5) @ Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5)
The Los Angeles Chargers lost a close one in Mile High Stadium when the two teams met in Week 8. Can the Denver Broncos sweep this AFC West rivalry, or will Justin Herbert make it two divisional wins in a row after leading the team to a win over the Las Vegas Raiders last week? Denver hasn’t held a team under 20 points since their win over the Miami Dolphins. With Herbert on fire, the Chargers should emerge victoriously.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 16 AFC West rivalry: Chargers win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Denver Broncos 23, Los Angeles Chargers 30
Sunday, December 27th, 4:25 PM ET
Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5) @ Dallas Cowboys (+1.5)
The NFC East is still there for the taking, especially with the Dallas Cowboys winning and the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Football Team losing in Week 15. Jalen Hurts showed in the loss to the Arizona Cardinals that he can lead this offense effectively and now faces a Cowboys defense that is particularly poor against the run. Between Hurts’ mobility and the rushing capability of Miles Sanders, the Eagles should secure the win.
A Philadelphia win would give the New York Giants and Washington Football Team the advantage in the division headed into Week 17.
NFL predictions against the spread for this Week 16 NFC East rivalry: Eagles win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Philadelphia Eagles 27, Dallas Cowboys 23
Los Angeles Rams (+2.5) @ Seattle Seahawks (-2.5)
Prior to Week 15, I presumed that these two teams would be 10-4 going into this game. Following their surprise loss to the New York Jets, the Los Angeles Rams are a game back of the Seattle Seahawks. The Arizona Cardinals are just one game back from the Rams in an extremely competitive NFC West.
This game now turns into a must-win for the Rams if they are to have any chance of winning the division. The odds of a win are in their favor. They have already beat the Seahawks once this season and Seattle has struggled to maintain their offensive wizardry from the start of the season.
NFL predictions against the spread for this NFC West rivalry: Rams win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Los Angeles Rams 24, Seattle Seahawks 23
Sunday, December 27th, 8:20 PM ET
Tennessee Titans (+4.0) @ Green Bay Packers (-4.0)
One of the best passing teams in the NFL takes on the second-best rushing team in the league on Sunday Night Football.
The Green Bay Packers have already locked up the NFC North, whereas the Tennessee Titans have it all to play for in the AFC South. Although the Packers have had their struggles against the run and will need to contain Derrick Henry, I expect Aaron Rodgers to be the difference-maker. The Titans have the fourth-worst passing defense in the NFL, and Rodgers should take advantage and lead the Packers to their 12th win of the year.
NFL predictions against the spread for Week 16 Sunday Night Football: Packers win but fail to cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Tennessee Titans 30, Green Bay Packers 31
Monday Night Football Predictions
Monday, December 28th, 8:15 PM ET
Buffalo Bills (-6.5) @ New England Patriots (+6.5)
Monday Night Football represents a genuine passing of the AFC East torch. The Buffalo Bills wrapped up the division title on Saturday night, whereas the New England Patriots miss out on a playoff spot for the first time in 12 years. Although Josh Allen had his second-lowest passing yard total of the season in the first game against the Patriots, it’s difficult to believe that Cam Newton and the New England offense can go toe-to-toe with the Bills.
NFL predictions against the spread for Week 16 Monday Night Football: Bills win and cover the spread.
Final score prediction: Buffalo Bills 26, New England Patriots 19
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Oliver Hodgkinson is an NFL draft and NFL analytics contributor for the Pro Football Network. You can follow him on Twitter at @ojhodgkinson.