NFL SuperContest Picks: Week 16 Locks Include Redskins, Packers, Bengals
Hey, you’re still here?
Most rational people have let their attention to the NFL season fade as the holidays arrived and their teams were knocked out of playoff contention. It’s almost like they have better things to do with their lives, like spend time with family or go caroling… or just drink themselves into a stupor in front of the fire during yet another Christmas alone, contemplating the slow, inevitable march toward their doom.
Whoa, sorry. It got a little real there for a second.
Anyway, NESN.com’s super-picking trio of Mike Cole, Ricky Doyle and Ben Watanabe is still going strong — in a manner of speaking — with Tom Brady’s Emails, NESN.com’s entrant into the Westgate SuperContest as part of Team OddsShark. Every week, we lock up five games against the spread and compete against media personalities nationwide for bragging rights in the world’s largest football handicapped competition.
Let’s see who we’re locking up in Week 16.
Washington Redskins (+3) vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Saturday, 8:25 p.m. ET
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
The Eagles are an unpredictable bet, at 3-4 against the spread both at home and on the road. Yet there’s no arguing Washington is trending in the right direction, going 4-2 ATS in its last six games and, as a bonus, 6-2 ATS in its last eight on South Broad Street.
Carolina Panthers (-6.5) vs. Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Georgia Dome, Atlanta
Las Vegas sent an early Christmas present when the SuperContest lines went out Wednesday night with this one at 6 1/2, rather than the seven or more it had been earlier in the week. Atlanta’s win over Jacksonville and Carolina’s failure to cover against the Giants shouldn’t register as more than blips, considering the Falcons had lost nine in a row ATS and the Panthers are still 10-4 ATS on the season.
Green Bay Packers (+4.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
For all the talk about the Packers’ struggles and the Cardinals’ status as NFC favorites, Green Bay’s 9-5 ATS record is actually slightly better than Arizona’s 8-6 ATS mark this season. The Cards have also dropped four of their last five ATS at home, while the Packers are on a 4-1 ATS streak in their last five.
Seattle Seahawks (-13.5) vs. St. Louis Rams, Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
CenturyLink Field, Seattle
The Seahawks are on a roll, while the Rams had not scored more than 14 points in a game in five weeks, before last week’s win over Tampa Bay. Bank on Seattle’s defense being a lot better than that, and for St. Louis’ offense to struggle against a Seahawks squad whose last ATS loss came way back on Nov. 15.
Cincinnati Bengals (+3.5) vs. Denver Broncos, Monday, 8:30 p.m.
Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver
Another case where a half-point makes all the difference. In a battle of backup quarterbacks, Cincy’s A.J. McCarron is getting more than a field goal and just led the Bengals to an ATS victory last week against San Francisco, while the Brock Osweiler-led Broncos have failed to cover the last two weeks and have severe problems scoring in the second half of games.
Thumbnail photo via Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports Images
