Mark Maske's Week 16 NFL Picks
By Mark Maske
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, Dec. 22, 2004; 12:04 p.m. EST
Friday
Packers at Vikings
Packers won't miss an extra point with the game on the line, will they?
Pick: Packers
Saturday
Raiders at Chiefs
Kansas City suddenly looks like a real team, just too late.
Pick: Chiefs
Broncos at Titans
Two teams that are lousy right now, but Denver is supposed to be playoff-bound.
Pick: Titans
Sunday
Redskins at Cowboys
When the Cowboys are better, they beat the Redskins. When the Cowboys are worse, they beat the Redskins. There's a pattern emerging here.
Pick: Cowboys
Ravens at Steelers
The Steelers do what the Ravens do -- run the ball and play punishing defense -- and they do it better. Plus, they have Ben Roethlisberger at QB. They can avenge their only defeat of the season and clinch the top seed in the AFC playoffs, all at once.
Pick: Steelers
Games of the Week
Chargers at Colts
A toss-up game that could turn on who's at home.
Pick: Colts
Patriots at Jets
Champs need to re-establish themselves.
Pick: Patriots
Eagles at Rams (Monday night)
Philly will desperately want to send a message that it can win without T.O.
Pick: Eagles
Lock of the Week
Bills at 49ers
With or without Willis McGahee, Buffalo gets a game that it needs in the playoff race.
Pick: Bills
Upset of the Week
Panthers at Buccaneers
Panthers should have won in Atlanta, and the Bucs are a bickering bunch this week.
Pick: Panthers
Other Games
Bears at Lions
Chicago is yet to win without LB Brian Urlacher this season, and now he's on the injured reserve list.
Pick: Lions
Giants at Bengals
Eli Manning looked far better last weekend, but the Giants very well might finish the season on a nine-game losing streak.
Pick: Bengals
Texans at Jaguars
Jags are staring at 10-6 and a spot in the playoffs.
Pick: Jaguars
Falcons at Saints
Even if they don't have to face Michael Vick, Saints will find a way to botch it.
Pick: Falcons
Cardinals at Seahawks
Can the NFC West leaders save at least a shred of dignity for the division?
Pick: Seahawks
Browns at Dolphins (Sunday night)
Miami was the league's worst team. Cleveland is the league's worst team.
Pick: Dolphins
Record
Last Week: 10-6
Season: 123-85
© 2004 The Washington Post Company
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