I picked the absolute worst time to match my worst week of the season for my worst two-week stretch of the season. For that, I want to send a special shoutout to the Patriots for the dumbest play I’ve ever witnessed in real time.
Thanks a lot for adding the most unnecessary of my Ls to a 5-11 record for the week (96-120-8 overall). But I digress.
The rest of the crew played things closer to .500 in Week 15 with Blake Schuster leading the way at 8-8 (89-99-8), and Caroline Darney (94-109-6) and Charles Curtis (95-121-8) each going 7-9.
And now, before Week 16 picks, a word:
Charles: Eh, my late-season momentum is stalling. Let’s just get to the playoffs already.
Blake: I can’t believe I’m happy about going 8-8 last week. Send help.
1
Jaguars at Jets (-1)
Prince: Jets
If defenses can’t stop Trevor Lawrence, maybe below freezing weather will do the trick.
Charles: Jaguars
The Jets D is menacing, but I love what I’m seeing out of T-Law. Jags 13, Jets 10.
Blake: Jets
I don’t like anything about this matchup, but I especially don’t like Trevor Lawrence playing in extremely cold weather when the Jets have found a pretty good running attack and can eat up clock.
2
Bills at Bears (+9.5)
Prince: Bills
This is another game where weather will test a team’s will. I’m rolling with the squad with more to play for.
Charles: Bears
I don’t know, maybe there’s some Justin Fields magic combined with the awful weather in Chicago that’s coming.
Blake: Bills
Buffalo should be able to cover -8.5 in its sleep.
3
Lions at Panthers (+2.5)
Prince: Lions
I don’t think Carolina is the team to extinguish Detroit’s blaze.
Charles: Lions
A deceptively tricky game given the Panthers defense playing better. But you have to back the team that’s on a roll and might even make the playoffs.
Blake: Lions
Always take the team with something to play for this time of year. I’d also imagine Detroit is one of a handful of clubs no one wants to play right now.
4
Saints at Browns (-2.5)
Prince: Browns
Cleveland is better built for this potential snowy weather game.
Charles: Browns
Sigh. Sure. I’m not touching this game in real life though.
Blake: Saints
I will also not be betting on this game in real life, but the points seem nice on what’s supposed to be a brutal weekend in the midwest.
5
Texans at Titans (-5)
Prince: Texans
Houston has played better teams this close in the past two weeks.
Charles: Texans
I agree with Prince, the Texans have put together some feisty weeks as of late.
Blake: Titans
Maybe it’s because I’m banking on him to win me my fantasy league, but I’m fully trusting Derrick Henry this week.
6
Seahawks at Chiefs (-9.5)
Prince: Seahawks
I’m learning to lean points on these larger spreads.
Charles: Seahawks
Sorry to agree with my smarter colleague here, but he’s right. The Chiefs defense may allow a backdoor cover.
Blake: Chiefs
Fine, let me be the only one backing Mahomes.
7
Giants at Vikings (-4)
Prince: Giants
The Giants are fired up after Sunday night’s big win. And by the Giants, I mean me. Let’s go!
Charles: Giants
Are you trusting the Vikings defense after what happened last week? Didn’t think so.
Blake: Giants
No way I’m banking on the Vikes to sustain the momentum from the Colts comeback. That bubble is ready to burst.
8
Bengals at Patriots (+3.5)
Prince: Bengals
A lot of focus on Joe Burrow and Cincy’s offense, but the defense is why they’ll cover in this one.
Charles: Bengals
Cincy might be the AFC’s best team (yeah, that’s right, I said it).
Blake: Bengals
You absolutely do not want to bet against Joe Burrow right now.
9
Falcons at Ravens (-7.5)
Prince: Falcons
Baltimore will have to show me some sustained offensive success before I ever pick them at a spread this large.
Charles: Falcons
If Lamar Jackson plays, I might change my mind … but even then, this feels really big.
Blake: Falcons
Usually this many people putting their faith in the Falcons is a bad sign, but whatever. It’s too many points to turn down against a beat up Baltimore team.
10
Commanders at 49ers (-7)
Prince: 49ers
This might be a long day for Taylor Heinicke.
Charles: 49ers
No reason to doubt the Niners’ D right now.
Blake: Commanders
Weird matchup. One the Niners might be sleeping on. Give me the points.
11
Eagles at Cowboys (-4.5)
Prince: Eagles
OK, so maybe no Jalen Hurts. But this Eagles defense gets after the quarterback. I’ll take the points.
Charles: Eagles
I think this line has swung too hard the other way. I’ll gladly take the free points here.
Blake: Cowboys
I’m going to wait to bet this one and hope the line comes down a bit, but I’ll end up taking Dallas regardless. Their offense should be able to keep pace with Philly as long as Hurts is out.
12
Raiders at Steelers (-3)
Prince: Raiders
The Raiders are 3-1 ATS as underdogs this season.
Charles: Steelers
My “I don’t know, both teams are so mediocre, I’ll just take the home team” pick.
Blake: Steelers
This should be an emotional game after the death of Franco Harris. I don’t love Pittsburgh as underdogs, but I like them here a lot more than the Raiders.
13
Packers at Dolphins (-4)
Prince: Packers
I do think Miami snaps its losing streak, but the Packers have come to life a bit and won’t make it easy.
Charles: Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa righted what was wrong last week, and now he gets to throw at home.
Blake: Dolphins
You’ve got to hand it to Aaron Rodgers, he knows how to distract from a bad season.
14
Broncos at Rams (+2.5)
Prince: Broncos
Broncos shutout. I’m calling it right now.
Charles: Broncos
The most unwatchable game of the week (year?) comes on Christmas Day!
Blake: Broncos
I would never recommend betting on a 0-0 tie, but I’m tempted to take it here just to root for the potential chaos.
15
Buccaneers at Cardinals (+6.5)
Prince: Buccaneers
The Cards could get shutout too. That’s the absolute only reason I’m hesitantly taking the Bucs.
Charles: Buccaneers
Who’s the QB for the Cardinals this week? Hence why I’ll back the struggling Tom Brady.
Blake: Buccaneers
Another game I’m not going to touch in real life but good luck to anyone who sees an edge here.
16
Chargers at Colts (+4.5)
Prince: Chargers
I just don’t believe the Colts will be able to get up from last week’s collapse.
Charles: Chargers
No Matt Ryan this week … but Nick Foles isn’t pulling off a miracle this time.
Blake: Colts
Because it can’t get any worse for them…right?
