Welcome to the AFC North weekly predictions!
Each week, our AFC North featured writers will list their picks for that week and be forced to explain why they voted as they did. Keep in mind that these picks are for entertainment purposes only, and in no way should be used to influence gambling or illegal activity, unless you’re smart enough to recognize that we know more than you because we publish things.
In week 15, The AFC North writers were near flawless with an 8-1 record. They would have been perfect if not for me once again channeling my inner Ricky Bobby going all “if you ain’t first, you last”. Here’s a lesson for you kids: Worry about making up a 2-game deficit in the last week or two and not four weeks out. Instead of going 6-0 over the past two weeks 2-games from first, my deficit is up to four, likely to finish last… so naturally, I’m going to double down this week. Don’t try this in Vegas.
Week 16 Games:
Saturday:
San Diego (6-8) @ Cleveland Browns (0-14), 1:00 pm, CBS
Sunday:
Cincinnati Bengals (5-18-1) @ Houston Texans, 8:25 pm, NBC
Sunday:
Baltimore Ravens (8-6) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5), pm, 4:30pm NFLN, CBS
On to the predictions!
Michael Thompson’s picks (35-11-1, 1-2 last week)
Unfortunately, little time this week:
Chargers 35, Browns 10
Bengals 21, Texans 20
Ravens 17, Steelers 28
Paul Johansson’s picks (31-15-1, 2-1 last week):
Chargers @ Browns
The only way I make up four games is to take the Browns either this week or next. I’ll gamble this week.
Head: Chargers
Ricky Bobby (and my final answer): Browns
Chargers 17, Browns 20
Bengals @ Texans
I normally pick before looking at the Sideline Report competition, but this time I cheated. My head would have taken the Texans with their playoff hopes still on the line, even though the Bengals are still the better team.
Bengals 21, Texans 24
Ravens @ Steelers
Flacco will most likely make a horrible decision (or execute horribly, slowly, erroneously) to cost the Ravens this one, but lately this series has been on-sided because of Mike Tomlin’s questionable coaching. That said, on a normal day I’d take the Steelers because the Ravens secondary struggles when Jimmy Smith is out. This isn’t a normal day. Christmas miracle in Baltimore on a Justin Tucker 60-yarder
Ravens 24, Steelers 23
Jack Crawford’s picks (30-16-1, 2-1 last week):
Chargers @ Browns
The Chargers are resurgent but occasionally threatening. The Browns, at least this season are…futile. Apologies to the Browns fans that are patiently waiting until the season is over.
Chargers 27, Browns 14
Bengals @ Texans
The Texans, having possibly discovered a serviceable quarterback, still have enough talent to dispense with the woeful Bengals and have them begin to entertain offseason changes.
Bengals 20, Texans 30
Ravens @ Steelers
The Ravens have an odd habit of winning games they’re not supposed to. This isn’t one of them.
Ravens 24, Steelers 35
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