Prisco’s Week 16 NFL picks: Chiefs crush Seahawks, Vikings edge Giants, 49ers roll over leaders

Week 15 hasn’t been very good for me with my choices. In fact, it was one of my worst weeks of the season.

Ouch.

So much for a hot streak in the last month. But this is the week of Christmas, which means that the best gift I can give you all is a bunch of winners – that’s what I intend to do.

But first, a look back at last week’s debacle. I went 11-5 with my straight picks, 5-10-1 with my spread expert picks and 1-3-1 with my best bets as part of the Pick-Six podcast. Note: Two of my best bets are the Patriots – thanks to the crazy finish – and the Saints – thanks to the two-point conversion.

This puts my records at 136-87-1 straight, 101-114-9 ATS and 47-36-5 with my best bets.

With three weeks to go, it’s time to pick it up. Or coal is coming into my store.

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)

The Ravens could bring back Lamar Jackson in this one. They need it in the worst way. The scrolling game is struggling. However, the Falcons do have defensive issues, which could help. Desmond Reader was fine last week in his first start, and now faces a tougher defense. Crows win it.

pluck or pluck: Crows 26, Hawks 13

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)

This is an important game for both teams in terms of playoff implications. The Lions play back-to-back road games, which will be a challenge. Carolina looked bad last week in a loss to the Steelers. The Lions are a tough challenge to Carolina’s defense, which will be the difference in the game. The lions keep rolling.

pluck or pluck: Lions 27, Panthers 17

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

The Bills are trying to lock up the top seed in the AFC Playoffs, while the Bears are playing the championship. But the Bills play with the Bengals next week, after their victory over the Dolphins. This looks like a sandwich game. it will not be. Josh Allen will put in plenty of points for the Bills as they continue to roll.

pluck or pluck: Bills 37, carry 21

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

These two are alive in playoff races, but neither of them can afford another loss. This makes this game great for both of them. The Browns haven’t been great on offense with Deshaun Watson running back at quarterback, but this could be the game that gets them going. Look for Brown to win it.

pluck or pluck: Browns 23, Saints 16

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)

The Chiefs win games, but they’ve looked away the past few weeks. Seattle has also struggled in the past few games. This is a must for them, but this is a tough place to play. Their defense has major issues, which will come to light here as Patrick Mahomes lights them up.

pluck or pluck: Chiefs 35, Seahawks 21

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)

The Vikings clinched their division, while the Giants played for Card’s spot. The Giants play back-to-back road games, while the Vikings were given an extra rest day. Minnesota’s defense is a major issue, which is why the Giants are going to hang around this one. It’s close, but the Vikings take it.

pluck or pluck: Vikings 27, Giants 26

Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5) at New England Patriots

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

The Bengals play back-to-back road games, but the Patriots are hurting from last week’s heavy loss to the Raiders. The Bengals have some injuries defensively, but the Patriots have problems offensively. Look for Joe Burrow to continue playing well as the Bengals win it.

pluck or pluck: 30 Bengals, Pats 17

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

The Giants are in danger of missing the playoffs if they don’t turn things around. The Texans have played much better in recent weeks, but this will be a challenge against a team that desperately needs it. The Titans will patch things up here with a great show by Derrick Henry.

pluck or pluck: Titans 23, Texas 21

Saturday, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

This is a tough trip for Washington against a team that will get four extra days off. Washington struggles on offense, which is never a good thing against a 49ers defense that is the best in the NFL. Look for that defense to shine again with Brock Purdy doing just enough to win it.

pluck or pluck: 49ers 25, Leaders 14

Saturday, 4:25 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)

The Eagles’ Gardner Minshew is likely to start here for the injured Jalen Hurts. This changes the way they play offense. The Cowboys have looked bad the past couple of weeks on defense, but I think that’s changing here. They will chase Minshew without any threat of running a quarterback with him into the game. Cowboy wins it.

pluck or pluck: Cowboys 33, Eagles 25

Las Vegas Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3)

Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET (NFL Network, fuboTV)

This is another game involving two teams with small playoff hopes. The Raiders pulled off a stunning victory over the Patriots, while the Steelers dealt with the Panthers on the road. Kenny Pickett should come back for the Steelers here, which is important. Pittsburgh’s defense will get the best of Derek Carr. Steelers take it.

pluck or pluck: Steelers 24, Raiders 16

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fuboTV)

The Packers are still alive after the win Monday night, but this is a tough turnaround in a short week. The Dolphins have lost three in a row, but they played better last week. This would be a shootout with the Packers staying close and Aaron Rodgers and Tua Tagovailoa also pitching.

pluck or pluck: Dolphins 31, Beams 30

Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS, Nickelodeon, Paramount+)

This is a game many expected to be significant, but instead it features two of the year’s biggest disappointments. Both teams have offensive problems. The Broncos have the better defense and Russell Wilson will be back. The Rams are also playing in a short week. But something says the Rams are finding a way to win it.

pluck or pluck: 21 Rams, Broncos 14

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC, fuboTV)

Those two have major issues, but the Bucs are still in first place while the Cardinals are finishing up. Arizona could go down to third-team quarterback Trace McSorley against a Bucs team that blew a huge lead last week. Tom Brady has struggled, but I think he’ll play well here. Take it.

pluck or pluck: Bucks 24, Cardinals 20

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN, fuboTV)

The Colts are coming away losing as they blew a 33-point lead, the kind of loss that could send a team packing for the year. They too would be without the backing off Jonathan Taylor. The Chargers beat the Titans last week, but they didn’t play well doing it. I will here. Justin Herbert is playing a huge role to keep the Chargers on the path to the playoffs.

pluck or pluck: Chargers 30, Colts 20