NFL Week 16 Sunday picks

Week 16 of the 2024 NFL campaign is an intriguing one, with playoff implications all over the place. Our experts are here to focus on the Sunday slate, which is headlined in part by Eagles vs Commanders, Vikings vs Seahawks and 49ers vs Dolphins. Let’s break down our expert NFL best bets for Week 16 of the season.

Predictions 

Pick #1: Los Angeles Rams vs New York Jets Over 46.5 (-110) 

Pick #2: Buffalo Bills -14 over New England Patriots (-110) 

Pick #3: Miami Dolphins -1 over San Francisco 49ers (-110) 

PICK #1: Rams vs Jets Over 46.5 (-110) 

It’s too late for the Jets to do anything this season (they have already been eliminated from playoff contention), but Aaron Rodgers is heating up down the stretch. The 41-year-old has tossed eight touchdown passes compared to just one interception over the past four outings and his two most recent yardage totals are 339 and 289. Recapturing the chemistry of old with his favorite target has been a big factor, as Davante Adams has 307 yards and three touchdowns in the last two weeks. They now get to face a Los Angeles defense that has surrendered the eighth-most passing touchdowns and third-most yards per pass attempt in the NFL, in addition to the fourth-most points in the NFC.

Although Thursday Night Football between the Rams and 49ers in Week 15 was an offensive disaster, Matthew Stafford and company should get back on track. Sauce Gardner can’t cover both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, while Kyren Williams has been outstanding for L.A. out of the backfield. Count on the scoreboard being lit up on Sunday. 

PICK #2: Bills -14 over Patriots (-110)

This AFC East matchup features the largest spread of the week (currently tied with Saints at Packers on Monday Night Football). Still, 14 points probably aren’t enough for the Patriots. They are 3-11 and quite frequently aren’t even competitive. New England has lost by at least 16 points five times this year and it just lost to Arizona – a team much worse than Buffalo – this past Sunday by 13. Quarterback Drake Maye has thrown at least one interception in six straight contests and during this stretch has as many INTs as TDs (seven each).

Meanwhile, the Bills are riding high at 11-3 and are fresh off a massive 48-42 road win over the NFC-favored Lions last week. Star QB Josh Allen is streaking toward MVP honors. He has accounted for 13 total touchdowns (seven passing, six rushing) without being picked off a single time in the last three games. With an offensive juggernaut like Buffalo on the other side of the field, it’s tough to see New England doing enough offensively to keep this game remotely close. 

PICK #3: Dolphins -1 over 49ers (-110)

No team has been more disappointing than San Francisco this season. Among the favorites to win the Super Bowl when the 2024 campaign began, the 49ers find themselves at 6-8 and on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention. Injuries, of course, have been a factor. Christian McCaffrey missed the first eight games with a foot issue and did not last long, suffering a knee injury soon thereafter that has him out for the remainder of the year. Brock Purdy and a depleted offense have produced 10 points or fewer in three of the last four outings.

Although the Dolphins are also 6-8 overall, they are in much better shape at the moment. Miami is 4-2 in its last six games, while San Francisco is 1-4 in its last five. Since Week 8, the Fins have lost only to the Bills, Packers and Texans – three teams that are heading straight for the playoffs. Tua Tagovailoa has remained healthy throughout the second half of the season, so he should have Miami poised to take advantage of a vulnerable opponent.