Sunday 23 December 2018 08:24, UK
Two weeks left of the 2018 regular season and Neil Reynolds has a mountain to climb, trailing Jeff Reinebold by eight games as they make their Week 16 picks...
Each week, Neil and Jeff make their predictions for every NFL game, keeping a tally of their records as the season goes on. A further two-game swing in Jeff's favour last week has seen him edge out ahead even more.
Read on to see Neil and Jeff's Week 16 predictions...
NEIL PICKS: TEXANS
I would love to go against Jeff here because I have a lot of games to claw back but I am not convinced by the defending Super Bowl champs. I'm not all-the-way-convinced by a Texans team that let the Jets hang around too much last week. But they should get the win.
JEFF PICKS: TEXANS
This is going to be a phenomenal game. You've got Deshaun Watson at quarterback for the Texans - one of the bright young stars of the NFL - and J.J. Watt having a comeback year on defense. The Eagles offense found a way last week against the Rams, but I don't think they will beat Houston - they're in the No 2 seed right now in the AFC and still have a lot to play for.
NEIL PICKS: STEELERS
I need to make up some games so it's time to roll the dice. I don't genuinely feel like the Steelers will win this game on the road but I am willing to give it a shot. They can pressure the QB and also score plenty of points, so they have a puncher's chance.
JEFF PICKS: SAINTS
This is going to be a great football game! The thing that the Saints can do that the Patriots couldn't, is rush the passer. Cam Jordan and Sheldon Rankins on the Saints defensive line are great pass rushers and will get to Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers have a lot to play for, but I like the Saints at home.
NEIL PICKS: SEAHAWKS
Let's take another gamble and go for the Seahawks to maintain their historically-good home form. They can run for fun and will present a real challenge to a Chiefs team that still struggles to contain opposing offenses. I'm not convinced by this one, either… but I need to catch up.
JEFF PICKS: CHIEFS
I think the Chiefs are going to win this game, but Seattle will make it tough for them - the Chiefs will need to find some run defense if they're are indeed going to come out with the W.
NEIL PICKS: BRONCOS
Things could get ugly at the Coliseum as the Raiders could very well be playing their last game in the city of Oakland. The fans could turn ugly if the Broncos - as I expect - win this game.
JEFF PICKS: BRONCOS
This was the game they gave us for Christmas?! Two bad football teams. It's hard for me to ever pick the Broncos to beat the Raiders, because this is a big rivalry game, but I just think they have the better team.
NEIL PICKS: TITANS
The Titans are finding their physical, defense and Derrick Henry-led formula at the right time of the year and even though the Redskins are only a game out of first in the NFC East, they are too banged-up to win this one.
JEFF PICKS: TITANS
I think it's a tough ask to expect Josh Johnson and the Redskins to win again, against a much better defense. Plus, Derrick Henry's emergence for Tennessee in the run game has really helped them over the last few weeks.
NEIL PICKS: CHARGERS
The Chargers have proven they are the real deal with some quality wins in recent weeks. The Ravens will present a very stiff challenge but they are not as complete a team as Los Angeles.
JEFF PICKS: CHARGERS
This is a really interesting game. The Ravens are 100 per cent committed to the run, and they've got a good defense. But I'm taking the Chargers, because they've got Philip Rivers and he's as hot as any quarterback in the league.
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