Week 16 Picks: Don’t bet the house on the Falcons
Christine Daniels’ Week 16 predictions for a league that has advised the cranky old men who played for the 1972 Miami Dolphins to lay off the champagne and get that prescription for bitter pills filled.
Giants over Bills:
During last week’s 22-10 home loss to Washington, the Giants dropped 10 passes as well as the argument that Its All Eli’s Fault.
Packers over Bears:
The Packers had hoped this game would mark the symbolic passing of the NFC championship torch from Chicago to Green Bay. But then Kyle Orton had the torch intercepted.
Browns over Bengals:
Good news for the 5-9 Bengals: In their first meeting this season with the Browns, the Bengals surrendered 554 yards and 51 points. So in all likelihood, things cannot get worse.
Lions over Chiefs:
What happens when a Lions team that has lost six in a row plays a Chiefs team that has lost seven in a row?
Colts over Texans:
If Adam Vinatieri converts a 29-yard field-goal try against San Diego and the Colts hold a 10-point fourth-quarter lead against New England, Indianapolis is 14-0 today.
Jaguars over Raiders:
A note to Jaguars fans griping about David Garrards’ Pro Bowl “snub”: You haven’t seen anything until your entire city gets snubbed by Al Davis.
Vikings over Redskins:
Joe Gibbs is 5-0 in games played at the Metrodome, including the 1992 Super Bowl.
Patriots over Dolphins:
The next-to-last line of defense for the 1972 Dolphins are the 1-13 2007 Dolphins. Then its the shrinking Giants in Week 17. Sometimes, it is over before its over.
Cardinals over Falcons:
Falcons owner Arthur Blank says he is disappointed Bill Parcells chose a front office job with the Dolphins over one with the Falcons. But he shouldn’t be surprised. Blank wanted to offer the job to a smart guy, and he did.
Saints over Eagles:
Last Sunday, Philadelphia running back Brian Westbrook bypassed a sure touchdown to drop to the turf at the Dallas one-yard line, thus pioneering a revolution in pro football: How to win by not scoring. Since then, coaching staffs in Atlanta, Detroit and Kansas City have spent way too much time fixated on that videotape.
Seahawks over Ravens:
Rick Neuheisel, who used to coach college football in Seattle, now serves as offensive coordinator in Baltimore, the only team to lose to the Dolphins. If UCLA needs more background, Qwest Field on Sunday is the place to be.
Titans over Jets:
From 1960-1962, the Jets were known as the Titans. And if those Titans showed up in Nashville on Sunday, the Jets would be underdogs against them too.
Buccaneers over 49ers:
Jeff Garcia, Jon Gruden return to the Bay Area. Showoffs.
Chargers over Broncos:
It’s the last “Monday Night Football” telecast of the season. At least one person in the ESPN booth is playing for his job.

