2015 NFL Week 16 Sleepers and Sleeper Picks

Week 16 in the NFL presents quite a few good looking and playoff implicating tilts. The biggest of which, in this writer’s opinion, would have to be the New York Jets hosting the New England Patriots. There’s a strong rivalry in that one and the NYJ need a big win to keep their playoff hopes alive. [sc:NFL240banner ]Not to be outdone though, the other big matchup is without a doubt the Washington Redskins heading to Philly to take on the Eagles. With a win, the Skins could lock up a playoff spot heading into the final week.

There are a lot of playoff hopefuls and a lot of potential playoff spoilers heading into the weekend. Let’s take a closer look now and who stands out as the sleepers in Week 16. Now now now, if you’re not interested in who will be sleeping, perhaps you’d be more interested at who might be favored. Well for this you’ll have to check out Expert’s Picks piece here.

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Top 5 Week 16 NFL Sleepers Predictions

New England Patriots (-3) vs. New York Jets (+3)

Sunday December 27th at 1:05 ET

The New York Jets need to win-out to have a chance at making the playoffs, it’s that simple. Any other day, this game would present one hell of a hill to climb. In Week 16 though, with the Patriots as dinged up as they are, the J-E-T-S have a great shot at home against one of the league’s best. The green and white are also coming off a massive 19-16 snoozer of a win over Dallas last weekend. They are 9-5 and can stay alive with a clutch victory. Unfortunately for them, the Kansas City Chiefs are also 9-5, are currently in the playoffs and host the Cleveland Browns this weekend. Needless to say, the Jets need to win because let’s face it…the Chiefs are playing Cleveland!

Writer’s Prediction: This game will be a nail biter either way. Giving the Jets three points is doing you a favor. Jet’s win 28-27.

Washington Redskins (+3) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-3)

Saturday December 26th at 8:25pm ET

The Washington Redskins can secure a Wild Card playoff spot with a win in this game. The Eagles currently trail the 7-7 NFC East leading Skins by a win and are in dyer need of a victory in this one to stay alive. Washington controls their playoff destiny and can use Week 17 as an exhibition week with a big road victory. With that said, the Redskins are a mere 1-5 on the road this season and only seem to win when it counts at FedEx Field in the nation’s capital. None the less, watch for Kirk Cousins to pull out the game of his life. Cousins has playoff and clutch game experience, whereas the dinged up Sam Bradford has next to no experience in meaningful games and is coming off a blowout loss to Arizona last week.

Writer’s Prediction: The Redskins +3 is a gimme. Washington locks up a postseason berth with a 19-10 win.

Carolina Panthers (-7) vs. Atlanta Falcons (+7)

Sunday December 27th at 1:05pm ET

Yea, I’m the guy who called the Panthers blowing out Atlanta and taking out New York last week. Real bold Ryan, I know. I’m also the guy though that called the Atlanta Falcons to beat Carolina this weekend in A-T-L. The Panthers began to struggle last week and gave up 21 unanswered in the fourth to the Giants. Of course they beat them in the final few minutes mind you, but then again that’s what everyone does to New York. We’ve seen the dents in the armour and despite Cam Newton’s five touchdowns last weekend, the Falcons are still pissed at that 38-0 stomping that they received in Week 14. I like Matty Ryan to come through with a big win to please the very bitter Falcon faithful.

Writer’s Prediction: Atlanta does the unthinkable and drops the Cats 32-31.

Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) vs. Denver Broncos (+3.5)

Monday December 28th at 8:30pm ET

This could very well be both Brock Osweiler and AJ McCarron’s swan songs for the 2015-16 regular season. Both have played extremely well while filling in for their respective mentors. In this one though, I like AJ coming off last week’s big win over San Francisco. No question Brock has earned some credit, but the Broncos are a beatable football team. They are where they are because they’ve had a great schedule this season. Sure they’ve had a few tough matchups, but the AFC West again has been a cupcake ride for Denver. Oakland has started to step it up and Kansas came around half way through the year, but once again it’s been Broncos all the way.

Meanwhile, the Cincy offense has adjusted nicely to the new kid under center. McCarron last week only threw for 192 yards and one touchdown, but he also left the week with a QB rating of 115.6. He was extremely accurate and that’s something Denver’s defense haven’t faced in some time, a very accurate passing attack. The Broncos have a great defensive set, but the Cincy offense may be too hot to handle.

Writer’s Prediction: The Bengals walk out of the snow with a win on Monday Night Football 21-15.

Green Bay Packers (+4.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals (-4.5)

Sunday December 27th at 4:05pm ET

Green Bay has been turning it on as of late. The Packers are on a three-game win streak and are 4-1 in their last five. Arizona, of course, has been red hot this season, and as of late as well. The Cards are riding an eight-game win streak and have only lost once at home. Through those eight games though, they have beaten the Browns, Ravens, Rams, 49ers, Eagles and Seahawks (before Russell Wilson woke up)…so let’s take that streak with a grain of salt.

The Pack are coming into their own and are firing on all cylinders. Excluding last week in Oakland, Rodgers has looked much stronger through the air as of late and the ground game is the best it’s been all year. Eddie Lacy has finally found his game tallying up 100-yards or more in three of his last five games. Now wait, I know what you’re going to say, he was brutal last week. Yes, that’s true, but James Starks picked up the pace in turn. Meaning whether it’s Lacy finding his game again or James Starks filling in, the Green Bay ground game seems to have returned. Although, I emphasize “seems”.

Writer’s Prediction: Green Bay wins a nail biter and beats the spread 31-29.