2015 NFL Winning Stats Predictor Picks: Week 16

Week 15 of 2015 will go down as one of those weeks for the Predictor that just cannot be explained. It ended up 5-11 on the week, but I count five different games that were either a half point off or teams were in prime position to cover but got railroaded at the end. Jets missed by half a point in Dallas when they should have gone for a TD late instead of settling for a game-winning field goal; Panthers were up 35-7 before letting Giants score 21 in 4th quarter, then kicked GW FG to win by 3; Patriots kicked a field goal up 14 with a minute to go; Ravens were inside the 10 ready to score and get within 6 and throw a pick-six the other way; Broncos were up 27-10 with under two minutes to go in the first half, only to not score again and lose 34-27. Just a brutal day that with even a couple breaks would have been ok. Season record now dips below .500 at 108-110-6.

Picking winners was leaps and bounds better going 12-4, but I think it was a fairly easy week picking winners, as twelve favorites won their game. Season total is now north of 60%, 135-89. I'd like a really strong finish to the season, mostly because the pool I'm in I'm sitting in sixth place, just in the money. I had a good start with the Raiders Thursday night, and have a halftime lead with the Redskins, so I'm hoping it's a sign of good things to come.

SuperContest suffered the same fate as all the other picks, going 1-4, only hitting the Cardinals. Season record now 42-33. I need just four wins over the final two weeks to best last year, so let's just take care of that this week.

• Bears +3 at Buccaneers
  Bears failed me last week, but despite this being a "revenge" game for Lovie Smith, I think the Bears beat an inconsistent Buccaneers team who isn't playing for much, but knows they might be playing 15-0 Carolina next week. 
  
• Cowboys +6.5 at Bills
  This is one of those games that looks like a sure thing one way, so I'm going with the opposite here. I think the Cowboys just kinda hang around all day and cover.
  
• 49ers +9.5 at Lions
  Doesn't matter to me how bad the 49ers are: there's no way the Lions should be 9.5 point favorites over anyone. I'll take a whole lot of points here.
  
• Ravens +10 vs. Steelers
  Bitter rivals, I think the Ravens give the Steelers fits despite the clear talent disadvantage. I think the Steelers win, but it won't be by 10. And I'm assuming the inevitable Matt Schaub pick-6 happens too. 
  
• Bengals +3.5 at Broncos
  This could easily end up being a 9-6 field goal fest, so I'll take the points with the better team.

Here are the rest of your Week 16 picks: