Posted by Brandon

With Jake under the weather and the holiday weekend approaching, I will be posting our picks for Week 16. It certainly will be a strange Saturday with most of the NFL slate being played.  But what can make a Saturday of delicious food and family gatherings better? Gambling on the NFL of course! Let’s add some 55 Percenters to this week’s picks. We’ve tied the last two weeks, so Jake’s lead holds at 8-5-2.

Houston -6.5 over INDIANAPOLIS

Jake Ind +6.5 / Brandon Hou -6.5

Just the start I needed here, I’m almost mathematically eliminated for the season if Jake gets win this week. Indy, with only Jacksonville left on the schedule, likely blew their chance for Andrew Luck with this win. They’d better hope that Peyton’s neck is a go.

Denver -1.5 over BUFFALO

Jake Den -1.5 / Brandon Den -1.5

I’m picking Denver, but definitely will not go near this line. Denver is clearly overvalued by the public at this point. Their schedule has been ridiculously easy and the Pats exposed their “elite” defense last week. With Buffalo tanking, everybody is on Denver and this just has the feel of a weird late season game. With all of that said, why am I picking Denver? Tebow. Christmas Eve. Angels on the Gridiron. Book Christopher Lloyd.

CINCINNATI -4 over Arizona

Jake Arz +4 / Brandon Arz +4

Another tough line here as these two teams are heading in seemingly opposite directions. I feel comfortably saying this: the crowd will be awful. Cincy has no faith in this team and can’t sell out a regular week, much less Christmas weekend. I’ll take the hot team and the points. I can’t make John Skelton on the road a 55 Percenter though.

TENNESSEE -7 over Jacksonville

Jake Jax +7 / Brandon Ten -7

The Titans have become one of the most unpredictable teams in the league, I have no idea what they will be from week to week. Back in the days of Jeff Fisher, the only uncertainty was his facial hair from week to week, you at least knew when this team was good and bad. Tennessee zigged last week, getting thumped by the Colts, so I’ll anticipate the zag and a blowout of a Jacksonville team that already has their bags packed for the season.

KANSAS CITY -1 over Oakland

Jake Oak +1 / Brandon KC -1

I was in Arrowhead last week (ugh). It was literally 50 percent Packer fans and the place was still rocking. The Chiefs are playing the best they have all season and the Raiders are regressing. Let’s make this our first official bet of the week.

55 Percenter: Kansas City -1

NEW ENGLAND -9.5 over Miami

Jake NE -9.5 / Brandon Miami +9.5

I’ll preface this by saying that I expect a Bill Belichick coached team to be ready. But I have learned one fact about the NFL over time: Seeding and home field are NOT motivators for NFL players. We have seen teams with clinched playoff spots but byes/home field on the line play uninspired games time after time. New England likely wins this game, but I think the Fins will be feisty.

NEW YORK JETS -2.5 over New York Giants

Jake NYG +2.5 / Brandon NYG +2.5

Wait, a massive game between two New York teams battling for their playoff lives and Rex Ryan has found a way to make the entire week about him? No way! I’m sure the players never get tired of having to back his bravado! This act will never get old in the Jets locker room, they love having to answer questions about their coach week after week.

Meanwhile, the Giants have lost 5 of 6 and everyone is finally counting them out. In classic Giants style, they’ll pull this one out only to crush their fans dreams with an egg against the Cowboys next week, with a red faced Tom Coughlin looking perplexed, hands on hips, on the sideline.

55 Percenter: NY Giants +2.5

PITTSBURGH -17 over St. Louis

Jake StL +17 / Brandon StL +17

This line seems awfully big for a team likely to be led by Charlie Batch. Sadly, the Rams are so bad that I still won’t touch it. Ladies and gentlemen, my 2011 NFC West predicted champion!

WASHINGTON -6.5 over Minnesota

Jake Min +6.5 / Brandon Was -6.5

The Vikings are now firmly in the Andrew Luck Sweepstakes and unlike the Colts, are “valleying” at the right time. They’ve lost 6 straight and have let up at least 21 points every game since Week 6! Washington is schizophrenic, but that’s better than just plain awful.

CAROLINA -7.5 over Tampa Bay

Jake Car -7.5 / Brandon TB +7.5

Tampa Bay has been very, very bad. But they are one game worse than the 5-9 Panthers. How does that equal getting over a touchdown? Carolina did crush them at home just three weeks ago, but I see this week’s game being much closer. If the players have any respect for Raheem Morris, they’ll come out battling for his job. It’s a hunch…so I’ll make it a 55er too.

55 Percenter: Tampa Bay +7.5

BALTIMORE -13 over Cleveland

Jake Cle +13 / Brandon Bal -13

The differences are piling up now, but I see the Ravens rolling on Sunday. They have been fantastic at home and the Steelers loss to San Francisco opened the door for them to grab this division. I know that I said seeding isn’t a motivator, but I think this Raven team is the one exception. They have continually had to play on the road in the playoffs, so I think they know how important it is to grab this opportunity, not just at a home playoff game, but for a first round bye. Ravens big.

55 Percenter: Baltimore -13

DETROIT -1.5 over San Diego

Jake SD +1.5 / Brandon Det -1.5

Shocking news: Jake and I disagree on the Lions! It’s hard to believe that this Charger team is somehow still alive. Charger fans should probably be cheering for a loss…the last thing they want is grabbing a lucky playoff spot, meaning another year of an underachieving Norv Turner team. I expect the Lions to wrap up their spot in their last home game of the season and give Detroit fans something other than the Pistons to cheer for after Christmas.

55 Percenter: Detroit -1.5

DALLAS -1 over Philadelphia

Jake Phi +1 / Brandon Phi +1

This is just set up too perfectly. The Eagles, the Kenny of the NFL, keep dying and keep reappearing. Somehow, they are still realistically alive for the NFC East title and Eagles fans have been sucked back in one last time. I think the Cowboys win the division with a win over the Giants next week, but think the Eagles find a way here.

San Francisco -1.5 over SEATTLE

Jake SF -1.5 / Brandon Sea +1.5

I know I rave about the Seahawks at home. And I believe in my argument about seeding now being a motivator. So why does this pick make me sick? Let’s move on.

GREEN BAY -13 over Chicago

Jake GB -13 / Brandon Chi +13

I think the Packers will win and clinch home field, but it’s tough to take them -13 right now. Their OLine is banged up badly and no Greg Jennings clearly changes their offense. Luckily, they will get Jennings and Bulaga back before their next game that really counts.

Lovie Smith said that they have lost three games to the Packers this calendar year and are “letting the rivalry down”. Well, no way to really pick up the level of play like naming Luke McCown this week’s starter. I’m glad Lovie has resorted to taking advice from Dave Wannstedt’s moustache.

NEW ORLEANS -6.5 over Atlanta

Jake Atl +6.5 / Brandon Atl +6.5

I’m sure nobody is more surprised by my pick than Jake, as he knows my lack of faith in Atlanta. This is just a recipe pick. The Falcons played last Thursday, so have had extra preparation time. The Saints have the division essentially locked up either way, so this game clearly means less to them. I do think the Saints pull it out, but I expect a close game

55 Percenters

2011 - 2012 Season Record: 21-16-1 (.566)

All Time on ADPTP: 150-145-5 (.508)

Last Post: 2-5-0 (.400)