Two teams clinch their playoff spots, and multiple more find themselves now making plans for mid-January to not be on a football field. There's so much that still needs to be settled as we make our way into the final 3 weeks of the regular season.
Before the picks, congratulations to PATRICIA from Hadley. She was the top picker in Week 15 and won the $50 Bogie's Pub and Grill gift certificate. You can be the next winner, but only if you get your picks in on the Q101.7 app when you play Football Picks with Rockin' Rick
And with that, let's move onward to Week 16, and the start of Saturday games now that the NCAA Football season has moved into playoff + bowl season.
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks - Thursday, 8:15pm on Prime Video
The first meeting was a narrow win for the Los Angeles Rams, and while the Rams are holding serve on the #1 seed, they're going to find a battle here with the Seattle Seahawks. This being said, Seattle really needs to play a bit stronger compared to their latest efforts, including being behind thrown into service on less than a week's notice Phillip Rivers. Matthew Stafford and company are going to force the Seahawks to be strong throughout. The 12's will come out in full force and I think they'll be the deciding factor that will bring more chaos to the NFC West.
Rick's Pick: SEATTLE
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders - Saturday, 5:00pm on FOX 23 WXXA
The first Saturday game may of been a stronger divisional match earlier in the season when the Commanders were coming fresh off their playoff run last season, but injuries have turned this into what could feel like a lopsided appetizer to the main event later on Saturday. Philadelphia has issues, yes, but I cannot trust Washington.
Rick's Pick: PHILADELPHIA
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears - Saturday, 8:20pm on FOX 23 WXXA
Now this should be fun. Green Bay traditionally owns Chicago, so that might be the edge I go with. But Green Bay also now has to adjust to a playoff push without Micha Parsons, who torn his ACL last week. The Packers are a team that are questionable at times, but you cannot deny their record. Nor can you deny the presence that Caleb Williams is finally having with the Bears. 2 weeks ago the Bears lost at Lambeau Field 28-21. Can they learn their lessons learned for this match?
Rick's Pick: GREEN BAY
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers - Sunday, 1:00pm
Both teams had a chance to take firm control heading into this first of two meetings between these two teams over the next three weeks. But they both lost last week -- though Carolina's is more concerning as they now have lost both games against the New Orleans Saints. Bryce Young still isn't providing staggering stats, which would make Baker Mayfield the better quarterback on paper of the two, but who knows what is going to happen in a divisional match.
Rick's Pick: TAMPA BAY
Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns - Sunday, 1:00pm on CBS 6 WRGB
The Bills know they need to play this game strong, failure to do so could result in the New England Patriots winning the AFC East later on Sunday. This being said, the Bills also have the best chance they have this season to make the comeback to win the division, with the Patriots facing Baltimore. While you cannot control what other teams do, you have to take care of what you do. But Buffalo needs to play a full 60 minute game, this second half comeback that they've had the past two weeks, isn't sustainable.
Rick's Pick: BUFFALO
Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys, Sunday 1:00pm
The Chargers kept pace with Buffalo as the best AFC wild card team and gave Kansas City their first elimination from playoff contention in Patrick Mahomes's career. Now they can end another team's playoff aspirations, even if those aspirations are so minimal that they could be dead by the time the two teams take the field on Sunday. You can't deny what Dak, George and CeeDee can do, but that defense even with some mid-season modifications, still needs some help.
Rick's Pick: LA CHARGERS
New York Jets at New Orleans Saints, Sunday 1:00pm
The worst in the AFC East takes on the worst in the NFC South. A thriller that only people in Louisiana and New York City will get to watch. I really don't have any thoughts about this one, going to side with New Orleans based on how they've played competitively all season.
Rick's Pick: NEW ORLEANS
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants, Sunday 1:00pm on FOX 23 WXXA
I still can't figure out this Minnesota Vikings squad. J.J. McCarthy is playing slightly better as the season progresses, but he's still having a bit of communication issues with one of the best receivers he has in Justin Jefferson. But one can turn a blind eye to that when the Vikings win like they did against the Dallas Cowboys. While the players may not be trying to keep the #1 draft pick, management and coaching might.
Rick's Pick: MINNESOTA
Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans, Sunday 1:00pm
The vibe feels different with Kanas City in both how they were eliminated from playoff contention and how they lost Patrick Mahomes for the rest of the season in the same game. I would feel more worried about Kansas City if they weren't facing the Titans.
Rick's Pick: KANSAS CITY
Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins, Sunday 1:00pm
So they're benching Tua, according to reports. A 7th Rounder will be tasked at showing Miami what they can do. It can't be much worse than Tua's lead leading 15 interceptions this season, but on an accuracy level, maybe it could. Joe Burrow is still frustrated with his defense, which might give us the wrong impression about Quinn Ewers's level of talent. Both teams are having a complete opposite of the season that they thought they would have at this point.
Rick's Pick: CINCINNATI
Come Back Thursday for the late games as well as Sunday Night and Monday Night previews and picks. And remember to get your picks in for the chance to win the Bogie's Pub and Grill $50 gift certificates. Enter now on the Q101.7 app! Good luck!
