The Silcoff Selections: NFL Week 16 Picks Straight Up & ATS

The Silcoff Selections are here for Week 16 of the 2024 NFL Season! Below are my records for my straight up and against the spread picks for the season thus far.

Records Last Week:

Straight Up: 12-4

Against The Spread: 8-8

Season Records:

Straight Up: 148-76

Against The Spread: 113-105-6

Thursday Night Football: Denver Broncos (9-5) @ Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) I Line: Chargers -2.5

At this point in the season, health is so important, especially for teams on the verge of the playoffs . On Sunday, Justin Herbert didn’t seem fully right, and now he faces a tough Broncos defense. I believe Denver will pull off an upset on the road, seeking revenge for their Week 6 loss to the Chargers, where they were defeated 23-16.

Prediction: Broncos 23, Chargers 20

Saturday Game #1: Houston Texans (9-5) @ Kansas City Chiefs (13-1) I Line: Chiefs -3.5

Based on the line, it seems Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be available for this game. Even with a banged up, Mahomes I believe Kansas City will find a way to win. The Texans have one of the worst offensive lines in the league, while the Chiefs' pass rush is among the best. The Chiefs win, with or without Mahomes.

Prediction: Chiefs 21, Texans 20

Saturday Game #2: Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4) @ Baltimore Ravens (9-5) I Line: Ravens -6.5

Lamar Jackson has historically struggled against the Steelers defense, but if Pittsburgh is without T.J. Watt, that must be considered. While I’m not fully confident in the pick, I believe the Ravens will win at home and make the division race very interesting heading into the final two weeks of the season.

Prediction: Ravens 26, Steelers 23

Early Sunday Slate

New York Giants (2-12) @ Atlanta Falcons (7-7) I Line: Falcons -9

Even if it came earlier than expected, it’s the right move. The Michael Penix Jr. era has officially begun in Atlanta! With the quarterback change, I expect the Falcons to come out energized, especially with a postseason berth still within reach. Atlanta takes care of business against a Giants team that could very well be the worst in the league.

Prediction: Falcons 23, Giants 13

Arizona Cardinals (7-7) @ Carolina Panthers (3-11) I Line: Cardinals -4.5

While an upset wouldn’t be surprising to me, the Cardinals have proven they can convincingly beat the league’s worst teams this season. Like the Falcons, Arizona is still fighting for a postseason spot, and I like them to secure a road victory.

Prediction: Cardinals 27, Panthers 20

Detroit Lions (12-2) @ Chicago Bears (4-10) I Line: Lions -6.5

A lot has changed since these two last faced off on Thanksgiving. The Bears fired coach Matt Eberflus the day after that matchup, and the Lions have been hit hard by injuries. The Bears are overdue for a win, but I just can’t trust them. The Lions are still battling for the NFC North title and the number one overall seed, and I think they secure a much-needed road victory.

Prediction: Lions 28, Bears 21

Tennessee Titans (3-11) @ Indianapolis Colts (6-8) I Line: Colts -3.5

Both teams seem ready for the season to end, so I’m going with the more talented roster. Indianapolis takes the win at home.

Prediction: Colts 21, Titans 17

Los Angeles Rams (8-6) @ New York Jets (4-10) I Line: Rams -3

A West Coast dome team playing outdoors in the Eastern time zone has all the makings of an upset, but I just can’t see Sean McVay losing off a mini-bye against Jeff Ulbrich. The Jets will keep it close, but the Rams prevail in the end.

Prediction: Rams 23, Jets 21

Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) @ Washington Commanders (9-5) I Line: Eagles -3.5

The Commanders have looked better in their last two games, but the Eagles are on a different level right now, having won a league-best ten in a row. Philadelphia defeats their division rival and stays firmly in the race for the NFC's number one seed.

Prediction: Eagles 24, Commanders 23

Cleveland Browns (3-11) @ Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) I Line: Bengals -7.5

The Browns have turned to Dorian Thompson-Robinson as their starting quarterback in what has been a nightmare season for Cleveland. I like the Bengals to win big at home this weekend, which would mark their third consecutive victory, but it’s likely too little, too late for a postseason run.

Prediction: Bengals 33, Browns 20

Sunday Afternoon Slate

Minnesota Vikings (12-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (8-6) I Line: Vikings -3

After a scare on Sunday night, it looks like Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith should be good to go this week. However, if his mobility is affected in any way, the Vikings' pass rush might be the last team he wants to face. Minnesota is on a roll right now, and if they win out, they could very well claim the NFC's number one seed. I think they get the road victory in Seattle.

Prediction: Vikings 26, Seahawks 21

New England Patriots (3-11) @ Buffalo Bills (11-3) I Line: Bills -14

I do believe that Josh Allen vs. Drake Maye has the potential to become a great division rivalry for years to come, but right now, these teams are on very different levels. Allen is on the verge of winning his first MVP award, while New England is close to securing a top-three overall pick for the second year in a row. If I were a Patriots fan, I’d be hoping this team gets blown out in every remaining game. If that happens, I think the Kraft's would be tempted to fire Jerod Mayo, which, in my opinion, would be the best plan moving forward.

Prediction: Bills 35, Patriots 20

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11) @ Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) I Line: Raiders -1

In the tank bowl, I'll take the team with the more competent coach, which, incredibly, is Doug Pederson. The Jaguars win and worsen their draft positioning.

Prediction: Jaguars 19, Raiders 14

San Francisco 49ers (6-8) @ Miami Dolphins (6-8) I Line: Dolphins -1

In a matchup between two of the more disappointing teams this season, I’ll once again take the team with the better coach. The last time the Dolphins faced the 49ers, San Francisco’s pass rush dominated Tua Tagovailoa, and after what we saw from him last week, everything needs to be perfect for him to execute. The Niners win.

Prediction: 49ers 23, Dolphins 20

Sunday Night Football: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) @ Dallas Cowboys (6-8) I Line: Buccaneers -4

Can we talk about how good Baker Mayfield has been this year? He’s not going to win MVP, but don’t be surprised if he ends up on some MVP ballots when the season ends. I like what I've seen from the Cowboys in recent weeks, and with how hard they’re playing, they may have saved coach Mike McCarthy’s job for next season. However, the Buccaneers are rolling right now, and I like them to inch closer to a division title. Tampa Bay is very much a dark horse to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl come postseason time.

Prediction: Buccaneers 31, Cowboys 23

Monday Night Football: New Orleans Saints (4-10) @ Green Bay Packers (10-4) I Line: Packers -14

For the second straight year, Jordan Love and the Packers seem to be peaking heading into the postseason and they should take care of the Saints at home fairly easily. With their current quarterback situation, I just don't see how New Orleans scores enough to keep up with this Green Bay offense.

Prediction: Packers 26, Saints 10

ATS Picks Recap:

• Broncos +2.5

• Texans +3.5

• Steelers +6.5

• Falcons -9

• Cardinals -4.5

• Lions -6.5

• Colts -3.5

• Jets +3

• Commanders +3.5

• Bengals -7.5

• Vikings -3

• Bills -14

• Jaguars +1

• 49ers +1

• Buccaneers -4

• Packers -14