2015 NFL Season: Pokorny's Week 16 Picks

Note: This prediction was posted on Thursday; it is re-posted here for record-keeping purposes.

Thursday Night Football: On the eve of Christmas, Charles Woodson is playing his final game in Oakland, and it could also be the Raiders' final game in Oakland too. Could both of these teams be headed for Los Angeles next year? Neither team can make the playoffs this year, but Oakland has played a little more consistent and they'll have the emotional lift from Woodson. Raiders 24, Chargers 17

Saturday Night Football: If the Redskins defeat the Eagles, they will clinch the NFC East crown with a week to go, eliminating both the Eagles and the Giants in the process. If the Eagles when, though, then they control their own destiny but it sets up a Week 17 in which either Washington, Philadelphia, or New York could still take the division title. The division as a whole is still the most inconsistent in football, but I think Kirk Cousins and the Redskins will taste the opportunity of getting in now and play with a hunger that Philadelphia won't match. Redskins 28, Eagles 21

Not Even Entertaining It: The Falcons are the only slim reason the Vikings haven't clinched a playoff spot yet, but Minnesota will be in by the time they play Sunday night. Why? Because the Panthers, who have stormed their way through 14 opponents this year, shouldn't have any issues dismantling the Panthers. This was a 38-0 domination just two weeks ago, in Carolina. The Falcons finally snapped their losing streak last week, but still haven't played good football for 2-3 months. Panthers 31, Falcons 17

Building for the Future: It's too bad that so many wildcard-type-of-teams are out of it with two weeks to go. The Bears and Buccaneers both couldn't been in the hunt, but have lost three and two games in a row, respectively, ending their playoff hopes. Something has to give this week. Chicago is actually 4-3 on the road, but I'm not letting that sway my decision away from the hungry Jameis Winston, who is looking to get his team to .500 as a rookie. Buccaneers 23, Bears 20

Disappointment of the Year: Because there was so much hype about Rex Ryan and the Bills' defense heading into the year, I bought in to them being a wildcard contender. Instead, their defense faltered so many times as Ryan's former team, the Jets, are three games ahead of them. Both of these teams are out of the playoffs, but I'll go with the Bills this week because Dallas can't muster any offense without Tony Romo. Bills 20, Cowboys 14

Weeden vs. Mettenberger: How absurd is it that in the AFC South, the team with the most stable quarterback position is the Jaguars? This week, due to injuries, the match-up in the division features Brandon Weeden vs. Zach Mettenberger. The Texans can rely on their defense a lot more than Tennessee, and Weeden has the benefit of knowing he has a true No. 1 receiver in DeAndre Hopkins to throw the ball to every time. It won't be pretty, but a win will clinch the division for Houston. Texans 20, Titans 16

Bruised and Battered: As chaotic as things have been for the Dolphins, Matt Hasselbeck has just about every injury imaginable, and his novelty has worn off. Indianapolis can stay alive in the playoff race with a victory, but I see them losing and ending all doubt for their playoff hopes. Dolphins 23, Colts 15

Trying to Stay Alive by a Thread: The Jaguars need the Texans and Colts to lose their final two games, and then to win out, in order to make the playoffs. That seems unlikely to happen, but given both team's backup quarterback situations, you never know. The Jaguars are 1-5 on the road, though, and have still had trouble getting over their hump. This won't be a defensive game, but the Saints should make a few more plays on offense at home. Saints 31, Jaguars 23

Trying Not to Draw the Short Straw: There is a three-team wildcard race in the AFC, and the Jets are trying not to be the odd team odd. If the Jets, Chiefs, and Steelers each win out, they'll all be 11-5, but the Jets will miss the playoffs. The Jets had a fourth quarter lead on the Patriots the last time they played before New England got two back-to-back touchdowns to seal it. I anticipate this being a close game, but sadly, a loss figures to eliminate the Jets from playoff contention given Pittsburgh and Kansas City's opponents. Patriots 27, Jets 20

Having Some Fun: The Steelers are not guaranteed to make the playoffs, but they are in an ideal situation for these final two games, all things considered (being on the road). They are facing the bottom dwellers in their division, but they know heading in to both games that they have to play all out to maintain their wildcard spot, and to even have a crack at the AFC North title. In the mean time, they can also play loose, knowing they are far superior to the Ravens this year. This will be a massacre. Steelers 34, Ravens 10

Pointless Game of the Week: The 49ers don't have much direction right now, and even though the Lions have won more times than not the second half of this season, the same can be said for them. Is Detroit's team built to contend in the NFC long-term, or do they need some more re-tooling? With no playoff games at stake for either team, the 49ers have been phoning games in while Detroit has still been giving it their all, so I'll take the Lions at home. Lions 21, 49ers 18

Game of the Week: Both of these teams have clinched playoff berths, and Arizona, but this game has a lot of stakes. Arizona likely won't get the first seed, but if Green Bay wins this week, they will only have a one game cushion for their first round bye heading into Week 17. Their opponent in Week 17? The Seahawks -- Arizona could go from first-round bye to hosting a first-round playoff game. The Packers, meanwhile, are trying to secure their division. If the Packers lose this week, though, they'll know that Week 17's game against the Vikings will still allow them a chance to reclaim the division. Carson Palmer has been too good down the stretch to pick against him. Cardinals 28, Packers 24

The Seed Matters: The Seahawks have already clinched a wildcard spot, but I imagine they'd like to get the No. 5 seed instead of the No. 6 seed so they can face the NFC East winner in round one of the playoffs. Russell Wilson has been on a tear and Seattle will seek vengeance on the team that they opened the year with a loss to. Seahawks 31, Rams 10

Sunday Night Football: If NBC could revise their decision to flex this game, I wonder if they'd take it back? In order for New York to make the playoffs, the Giants need to win their final two games and the Redskins need to lose both of their games. The Eagles face Washington and New York, so if the scenario I just described comes true, it would dictate the Giants taking the division.

Meanwhile, for the NFC North, this game might not matter much to the Vikings if Arizona beats Green Bay earlier in the day. If that happens, the decision will be decided in Week 17 head-to-head. Minnesota will probably have clinched a playoff spot too by the time they play -- the only way they miss out is if they lose their final two games, the Seahawks lose their final two games, and the Falcons win their final two games (including one over the Panthers).

Odell Beckham is out for this week's game, depleting the Giants of their main offensive threat. I think they have luck on their side this week with their veterans rising to the occasion in prime time and the Vikings withering a bit in the spotlight. Giants 27, Vikings 23

Monday Night Football: Could the Denver Broncos miss the playoffs altogether? Could the Cincinnati Bengals lose out on the AFC North title? This is as high stakes of a game as you can get. We'll know more about the Broncos' playoff possibilities on Monday, but if Pittsburgh, the Jets, and Chiefs all win on Sunday, then if Denver loses, they will not control their own destiny in Week 17 and could miss the playoffs altogether! What a story that would be, given Peyton Manning's status heading into Week 17 too. I think Denver's defense will get back to carrying them again this week, getting the job done against A.J. McCarron, who won't have things as easy as the 49ers game was. Broncos 23, Bengals 17

Nine in a Row? Can Browns fans even fathom their team winning nine in a row? The Chiefs will try to do it this week, and it could very well put them in position to move into the AFC West lead after starting the year at 1-5. My full game preview will be up later.