Broncos-Chiefs Preview and Week 16 Picks!

The Broncos come into their Week 16 showdown in Arrowhead against the Chiefs on Christmas night with their backs squarely against the wall in order to make the playoffs. Not only do they need help with the likes of Miami and Baltimore losing the last two weeks, but the Broncos have to win out to have a realistic chance of making the playoffs. That won't be easy considering they face the Chiefs and Raiders the last two weeks. The first stop is at Kansas City this week. The Chiefs are 10-4 and are coming off a shocking loss to the Titans last week at home. Can they lost two games at home in a row? I'm not sure. Can the Broncos win a sixth straight time in Arrowhead? I'm not so sure either. Plus, the Broncos are banged up and could be without T.J. Ward, Derek Wolfe and Brandon Marshall. Those are a lot of key guys out on that defense. On offense, we are looking at the possibility of having A.J. Derby and Virgil Green missing the game. I just don't see how this offense is going to move the ball and put points on the board against that fired up crowd and that KC defense. The Broncos playoff hopes will take a major hit on Sunday night, and we might have to start looking towards 2017 a lot earlier than we thought.

KANSAS CITY (-4) over Denver
Final Score: Chiefs-26 Broncos-12

Onto the picks for Week 16......

Last Week's Record: 11-4-1
Overall Record: 126-83-13
(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

Washington (-3) over CHICAGO: Bad loss by the Skins at home to the Panthers last night, and now they have to run the table to possibly get in. I think they will take care of business in Chicago this Sunday.

Miami (+3) over BUFFALO: The Dolphins have one win over a team that is over .500 this year but somehow at 9-5, they are in position to get the final wild card in the AFC. I think they somehow pull out a win in Buffalo this week-even with Matt Moore at the helm for the injured Ryan Tannehill.

Atlanta (-3) over CAROLINA: Atlanta is rolling at 9-5 and in position to win the NFC South and the #3 seed in the NFC. I think this will be a close and entertaining game, and I wonder how much the Panthers have left here down the stretch at 6-8. Take Atlanta to win it late.

Minnesota (+7) over GREEN BAY: At 8-6, the Packers have won four straight and are making a run to the NFC North title. At 7-7, the Vikings' season has collapsed. I think the Packers win, but this will be a close one in Lambeau.

NY Jets (+16.5) over NEW ENGLAND: The Patriots will roll in this one at home, but I don't know if they get the cover. In any event, they will put it on the Jets and get to 13-2.

Tennessee (-4) over JACKSONVILLE: At 8-6, the Titans have a shot to win the AFC South. They head to Jacksonville, who is 2-12 and just fired their coach, Gus Bradley. I think the Jags will have their minds on the holidays and not the Titans, and I think the Titans will win easily to get to 9-6.

CLEVELAND (+6) over San Diego: The Browns are 0-14 and look like they are headed to 0-16. I just can't see them winning a game these last two weeks. The Chargers are coming in at 5-9, but I think they are too talented to screw this up and lose to the lowly Browns.

OAKLAND (-3) over Indy: Interesting game because the 7-7 Colts are not out of the AFC South race just yet, and I could see Andrew Luck giving the Raiders defense fits. I think the Raiders will close the deal in the 4th quarter like they always do, and they will get to 12-3 with the #1 seed in play.

LOS ANGELES (-3) over San Francisco: A matchup pitting the 1-13 49ers and the 4-10 Rams is about as bad as you can get on Christmas Eve.

SEATTLE (-8) over Arizona: At 9-4-1, the Seahawks are in position to get the #2 seed in the NFC. I think they will take full advantage of a Cardinals team that is limping towards the finish line in a disappointing year.

Tampa Bay (+3) over NEW ORLEANS: The Bucs are 8-6 and still in the thick of the NFC wild card picture. A win here could really boost their odds of making it. It won't be easy on the road in New Orleans, but I have a feeling the Bucs will pull this one out-especially considering they are underdogs. I a gut feeling that the Bucs are going to find their way into the playoffs somehow.

Cincy (+3) over HOUSTON: Bill O'Brien decided to bench the struggling Brock Osweiler last week as the Texans were in danger of losing to the Jaguars at home. In comes Tom Savage and the Texans pulled off the comeback and the 21-20 win. At 8-6, they can still win their division, but it will be interesting to see how Savage responds getting the start on Christmas Eve against the Bengals. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bengals play spoiler here.

Baltimore (+5) over PITTSBURGH: Great game for Christmas Day as the AFC North could possibly be decided between these two bitter rivals. I had the Steelers pegged to win the division from the beginning of the season, so I still think they will get it done, but I just think this spread is way too high. These games are always tough, and I see the Ravens giving the Steelers everything they can handle on Sunday. It feels like a three-point game regardless.

Detroit (+7) over DALLAS: What is the motivation for Dallas considering they have the NFC East and #1 seed in the NFC locked up? The Lions have more to play for at 9-5, and usually the teams that have more to play for to get into the playoffs play harder than the teams that are already in. Look for that to happen on Monday night with the Lions and the Cowboys.