Week 16 Preview

Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans
The Broncos travel to Tennessee looking for some sort of spark to get them out of their slump. They know if they lose here they are out of the playoff race. After the debacle at KC, look for the Broncos to come out fast. Tatum Bell will get most of the work at RB and could ignite this team with a few big runs. Denver must stop turning the ball over and the defense must show up this week if the Broncos are to have any chance. I see a Denver victory on Saturday.

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
The Falcons are resting Vick, so the Saints have a good chance to win this one and keep their playoff hopes alive for another week. But Atlanta's running game should be enough to overcome the Saints.

Buffalo Bills at San Francisco 49ers
This could be a trap game for the Bills. With their playoff hopes still alive, they must come out strong. Buffalo's defense should have a big day here and hand the offense several opportunities. As long as the Bill are looking past the 49ers to Pittsburgh next week, they should win this one easily.

Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
This game could decide a lot of things; the NFC West title, the Seahawks playoff future, and Mike Holmgren's future as coach of the team. Even in the victory over Minnesota, the Seahawks looked like a team that is lost. If Seattle wins, they should take the West and move on to first-round elimination. If the Cardinals win, they are in position to win the NFC West with a 7-9 record.

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
This is the game of the week! The Ravens are the only team that has beaten the Steelers this year, so Pittsburgh will be fired up for revenge and to clinch home-field advantage. The Ravens are clinging to their own playoff hopes and desparately need to upset the Steelers. If the Steelers win, it could hand a playoff berth to Jacksonville and give more hope to Denver and Buffalo, if the Ravens win, it keeps the AFC playoff picture fuzzy for another week and makes it even more difficult for the Bills to beat Pittsburgh next week. I think the Steelers will win a close one, Baltimore just doesn't have the offense to pull off the sweep this year.

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
This is a big trap game for the Jags. After going to Green Bay and shocking the Pack last week, it would be real easy for the Jaguars to let down a bit. But Fred Taylor has really found his stride and Jacksonville will use him to control the clock. And the Jags defense should be able to shut down the Texans.

San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts
This will also be a very good game to watch. It should be a high-scoring game, but remember that Schottenheimer likes to use the run to control the clock. That could take the Colts out of their game by keeping them off the field. The real question is, can the Chargers defense stop the Colts offense. Probably not. I think the Colts will win a close one.

New England Patriots at New York Jets
Two very good teams going at it. The Patriots' only hope of home-field advantage is to win their last two games. The should be angry about how they lost on Monday night and come out strong. The Jets want to lock up their position and show that they can play with these elite teams. It will be a close game, but I can't see the Pats losing two in a row.

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay blew it against the Saints and their playoff hopes are hanging by the thinnest of threads. The Panthers should put them out of it for good. Carolina's running game will keep the Bucs off balance and their defense should be able to stop Tampa from scoring more than two TDs. Carolina knows they can lock up a spot with a win and some help, so they will be fired up.

Philadelphia Eagles at St Louis Rams
Can the Rams beat the Eagles without TO. I don't think so. The Eagles are hurt by Owens' injury, but they still have a stellar defense and a decent running game. The Eagles also now have something to play for, showing they can win without TO. The Rams are banged up and have been playing some bad ball lately. The Eagles win, and Martz finds himself on the hot-seat. And the Cardinals come one step closer to the NFC West division title.