Popular Bob's Week 16 NFL Forecast

Week 16 of the NFL season already is off to a bizarre start with four teams that hold division leads listed as underdogs. In the case of Pittsburgh's game at Detroit, it's by a touchdown.

The other front-runners getting points are New England at Baltimore, and Jacksonville at AFC West leader Denver. Also, Chicago is a dog despite playing at home against Green Bay. That's a head-scratcher.

Here's a look at this week's games:

THURSDAY

---> LA Rams (11-3) at Seattle Seahawks (11-3), 6:15 p.m.

Seahawks -1 (42 O/U)

Forecast: Rams 27, Seahawks 21

There's an 87% chance of rain forecast for this first-place battle in the NFC West, with the conference's top seed also at stake. The Rams and QB Matthew Stafford, who have the league's second-ranked offense, will face a Seahawks defense that's allowed one TD the past three weeks — but against teams using backup QBs. If this game is anything like their Week 11 meeting, a 21-19 LA victory, it could be a long day for Seattle QB Sam Darnold, who threw four INTs in that outing.

SATURDAY

---> Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) at Chicago Bears (10-4), 3 p.m.

Packers -1 (46.5 (O/U)

Forecast: Bears 26, Packers 21

In this matchup to determine the front-runner in the NFC North, it's somewhat of a surprise the Bears are underdogs. That's because Chicago's foe is really banged up, lowlighted by the ACL tear suffered by Packers DE Micah Parsons last week. Also ailing is safety Evan Williams (knee), the leading tackler in the secondary.

---> Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) at Washington Commanders (4-10), 6:20 p.m.

Eagles -6.5 (44.5 O/U)

Forecast: Eagles 30, Commanders 19

The Commanders stand a chance to pull the upset but ex-Lobo RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington's leading rusher, probably would have to go bonkers. That's not likely, though, against a defense that allowed an NFL-low 75 yards last week against Las Vegas.

SUNDAY

---> Buffalo Bills (10-4) at Cleveland Browns (3-11), 11 a.m.

Bills -10 (42 O/U)

Forecast: Bills 35, Browns 13

Holy cow! The over/under total is 42. The past six games involving Cleveland have seen an O/U number of 38 or less. Anyway, Buffalo should handle the Browns and QB Shedeur Sanders, who just had his second game below the passer-rating Mendoza line of 39.6.

---> LA Chargers (10-4) at Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1), 11 a.m.

Cowboys -2 (49.5 O/U)

Forecast: Chargers 23, Cowboys 17

If the Eagles win Saturday, dirt already will be piled on the Cowboys' coffin. That could play to LA's advantage. And even though Dallas has the league's top-ranked offense, it hasn't played a defense this strong. The Chargers' unit is ranked second.

---> Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) at Tennessee Titans (2-12), 11 a.m.

Chiefs -3 (37.5 O/U)

Forecast: Titans 29, Chiefs 23

Tennessee rookie QB Cam Ward had his best game of the year last week at San Francisco. Can't see him being outdueled by Gardner Minshew, who replaces injured Patrick Mahomes.

---> NY Jets (3-11) at New Orleans Saints (4-10), 11 a.m.

Saints -4.5 (40 O/U)

Forecast: Saints 21, Jets 13

NYJ will give undrafted rookie QB Brady Cook (5 INTs) his second start.

---> Minnesota Vikings (6-8) at NY Giants (2-12), 11 a.m.

Vikings -3 (43.5 O/U)

Forecast: Giants 21, Vikings 17

With both OTs questionable for Minnesota it's hard to back the Vikings.

---> Tampa Bay Bucs (7-7) at Carolina Panthers (7-7), 11 a.m.

Bucs -3 (45 O/U)

Forecast: Bucs 26, Panthers 19

In Weeks 5 and 6 Carolina RB Rico Dowdle had back-to-back games with 206 and 183 yards rushing. Over the past five he hasn't surpassed 58 in any outing. What's with that?

---> Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) at Miami Dolphins (6-8), 11 a.m.

Bengals -4 (47.5 O/U)

Forecast: Bengals 27, Dolphins 14

Miami's Quinn Ewers, on a short work week, will become the eighth rookie QB to start this season. He replaces benched Tua Tagovailoa. Other first-year passers were a combined 2-5 in their debuts (3-4 ATS).

---> Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) at Denver Broncos (12-2), 2:05 p.m. 

Broncos -3 (47 O/U)

Forecast: Jaguars 23, Broncos 20

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence had five TD passes and no INTs against the Jets on Sunday. It was the first time since Week 7 a QB had such a game, and it was by LA's Matthew Stafford against the Jaguars. During Jacksonville's current five-game winning streak it has yielded only two scoring throws. Denver's offense should struggle.

---> Atlanta Falcons (5-9) at Arizona Cardinals (3-11), 2:05 p.m.

Falcons -2.5 (48 O/U)

Forecast: Falcons 28, Cardinals 17

Atlanta has had a league-high six games this season with at least five sacks. Arizona has allowed five-plus sacks in six games, also a league high.

---> Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) at Detroit Lions (8-6), 2:25 p.m.

Lions -7 (52 O/U)

Forecast: Lions 34, Steelers 21

Pittsburgh, which has allowed more than 200 rushing yards twice the past three weeks, will be going against one of the league's top ground games. Detroit also benefits from facing a team that's off a Monday night game.

---> Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) at Houston Texans (9-5), 2:25 p.m.

Texans -14 (38.5 O/U)

Forecast: Texans 41, Raiders 10

Vegas has lost three games by 30-plus points this year, including 31-0 last week in Philadelphia. Here's No. 4.

---> New England Patriots (10-3) at Baltimore Ravens (8-6), 6:20 p.m.

Ravens -3 (48 O/U)

Forecast: Patriots 34, Ravens 24

Just like the Chiefs, the once-dominant Ravens don't seem to have it anymore.

MONDAY

---> San Francisco 49ers (10-4) at Indianapolis Colts (8-6), 6:15 p.m.

49ers -6 (46 O/U)

Forecast: 49ers 31, Colts 21

The 49ers have won four straight (3-0-1 ATS) since QB Brock Purdy's return from injury.

RECORDS

Last week's results: 5-10-1 ATS; 10-6 straight up

Season total: 100-115-7 ATS; 137-80-1 SU