Photograph by Neal
by John Hirschauer
It's Week 16, and we know just as much about how the playoff bracket will take shape as we did three weeks ago. The intricate tie-breaking standards of the NFL will take an odd center stage as teams grapple for seeding.
Game of the Week:
Cardinals at Seahawks (Sunday 4:05 ET)- Carson Palmer- high ankle issues and all- and Arizona will play Seattle much, much tougher than many fans think. If Arizona was in the AFC, the nationwide perception of their talent level would certainly be different. All this being said, I don't see Seattle losing this game at home.
Seattle 22 - Arizona 17
Three Noteworthy Games:
Saints at Panthers (Sunday 1:00 ET)- A compelling game on multiple fronts. Look for Cam and the Panthers to jump out to an early lead to try to prove they belong among the NFL's elite.
Carolina 35- New Orleans 32
Patriots at Ravens (Sunday 4:25 ET)- Baltimore has been riding high the last few weeks and Justin Tucker's leg moved them to 8-6 last Monday in Detroit. New England got upset by Miami, making it oddly plausible, albeit not likely, that the Pats don't qualify for the postseason. I don't see that coming to fruition, even with Brady's shelled out recieving corps.
New Enland 27- Baltimore 17
Steelers at Packers(Sunday 4:25 ET)- This is one of the most intriguing games of the week. Rodgers, ruled out, will be on the sidelines once again with Flynn under center for the Pack, up against a Pittsburgh team that is going to come to play. Tomlin teams never stop grinding.
Pittsburgh 31-Green Bay 26
The Rest:
Dolphins 23- Bills 20
Browns 31- Jets 16
Bengals 45- Vikings 27
Cowboys 28- Washington 27
Broncos 37- Texans 14
Cheifs 31- Colts 21
Titans 24- Jaguars 18
Buccaneers 17- Rams 13
Lions 35- Giants 24
Chargers 47- Raiders 32
Eagles 27- Bears 20
49ers 34- Falcons 19
by John Hirschauer
It's Week 16, and we know just as much about how the playoff bracket will take shape as we did three weeks ago. The intricate tie-breaking standards of the NFL will take an odd center stage as teams grapple for seeding.
Game of the Week:
Cardinals at Seahawks (Sunday 4:05 ET)- Carson Palmer- high ankle issues and all- and Arizona will play Seattle much, much tougher than many fans think. If Arizona was in the AFC, the nationwide perception of their talent level would certainly be different. All this being said, I don't see Seattle losing this game at home.
Seattle 22 - Arizona 17
Three Noteworthy Games:
Saints at Panthers (Sunday 1:00 ET)- A compelling game on multiple fronts. Look for Cam and the Panthers to jump out to an early lead to try to prove they belong among the NFL's elite.
Carolina 35- New Orleans 32
Patriots at Ravens (Sunday 4:25 ET)- Baltimore has been riding high the last few weeks and Justin Tucker's leg moved them to 8-6 last Monday in Detroit. New England got upset by Miami, making it oddly plausible, albeit not likely, that the Pats don't qualify for the postseason. I don't see that coming to fruition, even with Brady's shelled out recieving corps.
New Enland 27- Baltimore 17
Steelers at Packers(Sunday 4:25 ET)- This is one of the most intriguing games of the week. Rodgers, ruled out, will be on the sidelines once again with Flynn under center for the Pack, up against a Pittsburgh team that is going to come to play. Tomlin teams never stop grinding.
Pittsburgh 31-Green Bay 26
The Rest:
Dolphins 23- Bills 20
Browns 31- Jets 16
Bengals 45- Vikings 27
Cowboys 28- Washington 27
Broncos 37- Texans 14
Cheifs 31- Colts 21
Titans 24- Jaguars 18
Buccaneers 17- Rams 13
Lions 35- Giants 24
Chargers 47- Raiders 32
Eagles 27- Bears 20
49ers 34- Falcons 19