Welcome to Week 16! Fantasy football playoffs have begun and the NFL playoffs are rapidly approaching, but before we can get to that, there are still a few weeks left of the regular season. I’ve combined my 3 favorite NFL picks from Sunday’s slate to create a parlay that pays out at nearly 17/1 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. Check out all of our NFL Week 16 predictions.
Commanders ML (+136)
Lions alternate spread -6.5 (+172)
Cardinals ML (+176)
Parlay odds: +1671
Washington Commanders ML (+136) over New York Jets
The big news out of New York this week was about Aaron Rodgers not coming back this season. Not many expected Rodgers to return in the first place, but his remarkably fast rehab time had people wondering if he actually could return. However, he can’t, so it’s back to being Zach Wilson’s team – if he can suit up. Wilson suffered a concussion in Week 15 and has been in concussion protocol this week, and if he can play, he will start. However, if Wilson isn’t cleared in time, it will be Trevor Siemian’s turn under center.
Siemian replaced Wilson last week after he left the game and didn’t do particularly well. The backup was 14/26 for 110 yards and threw 2 interceptions. The Jets lost 30-0 to the Dolphins last week, and now it’s Sam Howell’s turn to come to town. I’m surprised to see the Commanders as underdogs in general, so I’ll happily back the value with Washington on Sunday.
Detroit Lions Lions -6.5 (+172) over Minnesota Vikings
There is a severe mismatch between offenses in this game. The Lions just blew out the Denver Broncos by scoring 42 points last week while the Vikings have switched to Nick Mullens at quarterback. Minnesota has scored just 37 points in the last 3 games and the offensive benefits of Justin Jefferson have been non-existent. The offense was supposed to involve Alexander Mattison, T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Addison and Jefferson, but Mattison has been hurt a lot recently and Jefferson hasn’t been the same since returning from injury. In summary, I have very little faith in the Minnesota offense right now with Nick Mullens at quarterback.
Detroit possesses one of the most dynamic and dangerous offenses in football. The Lions average 29.7 points per game in their last 7 games and are coming off a blowout win against the Broncos last week. After a mid-season lull when the Lions seemed to be the offense on autopilot, the team has seemingly woken up with the playoffs just a few weeks away. Between Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta on the outside and the two-headed monster of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery on the inside, I have confidence that the Lions can win by at least a touchdown on Sunday against a sinking Vikings team.
Arizona Cardinals ML (+176) over Chicago Bears
Two non-playoff teams battle it out in Chicago, and I’m not so sure the right team is favored. Justin Fields and the Bears have had a roller coaster of a season, and following Chicago’s Week 15 loss, Field’s future in Chicago has become uncertain. Last week, Fields was 19/40 for 166 yards and 2 interceptions. He seems more of a running back than a quarterback since he’s returned from injury, which is very worrisome. Plus, the Bears are facing a feisty Cardinals squad that doesn’t seem to have any quit.
The Cardinals are 3-11 this season but 2-3 under Kyler Murray. The franchise quarterback is finally back from his torn ACL and has been great in his limited action. He’s led the Cardinals to wins over the Falcons and Texans, and last week, he was even able to get Arizona to score 29 points against an elite 49ers defense. Murray has found a new favorite target on the outside in Trey McBride while having the always-dependable James Conner in the backfield. Plus, Murray will take off several times throughout the game, which should keep the Bears on their toes. The Bears have proven that they don’t deserve to be favorites, and I’m backing the Cardinals to complete the upset in Chicago.
Check out our Arizona Cardinals vs Chicago Bears predictions
