Week 16 NFL picks: Eagles ready to run on Bears; Ravens get Pats again

There are only two weeks left in the 2013 NFL regular season, and there are only four teams that have punched their tickets to the playoffs. That means there are still eight spots left in the 'tournament,' and as we've seen over the past few seasons, anyone can win it all if they're in the bracket.

For the unlikely 13 teams that won't be advancing, they can still play for pride and play the role of spoiler. That should make for another wild week for division and wild-card hopefuls alike.

IYER: More analysis of every Week 16 game in this week's Huddle Up! Podcast

TUCKER: Losing teams aren't quitting | Playoff picture | Power rankings | Hot seat coaches

Game of the Week

Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles (8:30 p.m. Sunday, NBC). Everything points to this being a shootout. The Eagles have the No. 1 rushing offense, and the Bears have the No. 32 rushing defense. The Bears have the No. 7 passing offense, and the Eagles have the No. 32 passing defense. So logic would tell you the home team will have great success with LeSean McCoy, while the road team should love its matchups for Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.

While the explosive plays can come there, the difference will be what's more effective, Matt Forte vs. the Eagles run defense or Nick Foles vs. the Bears' pass defense. Advantage to Philadelphia because it has the front seven to contain Forte. Chicago, even with Julius Peppers doesn't have the pass rush to rattle Foles.

It's hard to believe we are throwing defenses out the window based on what these teams used to do under Buddy Ryan, but they're both in the playoff hunt because the modern NFL is all about offense. Eagles 38, Bears 34

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AFC Game of the Week

New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens (4:25 p.m. Sunday, CBS). The Ravens swept the Patriots last season, including their impressive victory in the AFC title game at New England. They still match up well against Tom Brady, and this one's back in friendly Baltimore. The Ravens' defensive backs are outstanding in covering and make quick tackles after the catch, and don't need to contend with Rob Gronkowski, setting them up to keep Brady from overworking the middle of the field.

Offensively, the Ravens can't run, but are getting more comfortable just going no-huddle with Joe Flacco, especially with a healthy Dennis Pitta as a security blanket underneath. Look for both teams to go up-tempo, with the Patriots running out of time and falling short of a road comeback. Ravens 24, Patriots 20

Rematch of the Week

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers (1 p.m. Sunday, FOX). The Saints aren't a good road team for a variety of reasons. Their offense gets out of sync with shoddy line play, and their defense doesn't play with the same attacking energy. More than the dome, it's the atmosphere in New Orleans that's so uplifting.

Here, Carolina fans will be the ones rocking for their team's biggest game of the season, and the Panthers' pass rush will be fired up to get after Drew Brees. Since the tough Week 1 battle with Seattle, they have been exceptional at home, with an average margin of victory of 20 points. The script will be flipped from what happened in the Superdome two weeks ago. Panthers 27, Saints 17

Fans of the Week

Pittsburgh Steelers at Green Bay Packers (4:25 p.m. Sunday, CBS). This is a rematch too, of Super Bowl XLV, and the question is, will it be another duel between Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers. The Lambeau Field faithful would go nuts if Rodgers can make a triumphant return just when the division title is back within reach-the Packers win out, and they're in. Even if it's Matt Flynn again, they have enough firepower, as their defense makes a few more needed plays at home. Diehard cheese beats diehard steel. Packers 27, Steelers 20

Rivalry of the Week

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Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins (1 p.m. Sunday, FOX). Kirk Cousins woke up the Redskins' offense, but it still didn't add up to victory in Atlanta. Let's hope the running game (no fumbles) and defense give him a little better support here, given they have the chance to keep the hated Cowboys out of the playoffs. Dallas, however, is due for a big rebound after a big meltdown, as usual, and matches up well with Washington across the board. The offenses may play to a draw, but there's a huge edge on special teams. Cowboys 26, Redskins 23

Lock of the Week

Denver Broncos over Houston Texans (Sunday 1 p.m., CBS). The Texans showed a little fight three weeks ago at home against the mighty Patriots, but everything broke down in their road losses to Jacksonville and Indianapolis. The offense was lifeless against the Colts, and the defense, even J.J. Watt, was dragged down. The Broncos haven't played their best on either side of late, but they'll find their solution in exploiting Houston's many problems. Broncos 34, Texans 14

Upset of the Week

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. Sunday, CBS). The Bills edged the Dolphins, 23-21, in Miami in Week 7. Here comes the surprise sweep that may end up keeping the Dolphins just out of the playoffs. Ryan Tannehill has played very well, but it's tough to play in Orchard Park against Buffalo's pass rush at this time of year. Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller were contained in the first matchup, but the Dolphins can be leaky against the run. Thad Lewis, with E.J. Manuel out with a knee injury, will give them just enough at QB again, and Mario Williams will give them plenty. Bills 20, Dolphins 17

Rest of the Week

Cleveland Browns at New York Jets (1 p.m. Sunday, CBS). Both teams have been somewhat strong up front, but despite some marquee names in the secondary (Joe Haden, Antonio Cromartie), speedy wide receivers give them issues. The Browns have the best such player on the field, Josh Gordon, and have the veteran mistake-limiting quarterback in Jason Campbell that the Jets don't have in Geno Smith. It's one of Man-Genius' former teams over the other. Browns 20, Jets 16

Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs (1 p.m. Sunday, CBS). The Colts and Chiefs don't want to show their entire hand with their game plans, given there's a strong possibility of the teams meeting in Indianapolis again to open the playoffs. In Kansas City, the Colts' biggest weakness, run defense, figures to be exposed by red-hot Jamaal Charles. As Andrew Luck tries to play catchup, he'll take plenty of hits from the Chiefs' defensive strength, the pass rush. Chiefs 31, Colts 17

Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals. (1 p.m. Sunday, FOX). The Vikings have played inspired offense with Matt Cassel, passing when they can't run as well with Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart both hurting. The Bengals have been able to pound the ball and let Andy Dalton loose for big plays at home, where they are 6-0. The Bengals need to keep winning to ensure they get either the AFC North title or a wild card, and it will lead to a needed rout. Bengals 38, Vikings 20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at St. Louis Rams (1 p.m. Sunday, FOX). Jeff Fisher and Greg Schiano have been able to keep their teams competitive because of hardnosed defense, power running and the confidence to not back down against anyone. This sets up as an ugly game where the turnovers and sacks should pile up around Kellen Clemens and rookie Mike Glennon. The Rams are better in that department at home with defensive player of the year candidate Robert Quinn. Rams 19, Bucs 13

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (1 p.m. Sunday, CBS). The Jaguars were surging, but offensive injuries contributed to the home loss to Buffalo. The Titans have found more offensive consistency since these teams' first meeting with Ryan Fitzpatrick gunslinging with his expanded arsenal of receivers. Jacksonville's veteran backup turned starter, Chad Henne, will have trouble pushing it downfield against Tennessee's excellent corners and inside pressure. These similar alliterative teams were bound for a season split. Titans 24, Jaguars 20

Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks (4:05 p.m. Sunday, FOX). The Cardinals are looking like the best non-playoff team in the NFL in 2013. It's unfortunate they play in the same division with the NFC's best team (Seattle) and its reigning champs (San Francisco), who also happen to be their final two opponents. This is a brutal road matchup, as the energy of the home crowd will help the Seahawks swarm and peck a lot more defensively than Arizona will. Seahawks 30, Cardinals 10

New York Giants at Detroit Lions (4:05 p.m. Sunday, FOX). Matt Stafford's continued struggle with turnovers has cost Detroit in its playoff chase, but there's no doubt no No. 1 overall quarterback pick has been worse than Eli Manning this season. The Giants' defense has played better of late, but their offense hit rock bottom because of wide receiver injuries and a running game gone dormant. The Lions couldn't possibly mess this one up against a team even less disciplined than them, could they? Lions 24, Giants 13

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers (4:25 p.m. Sunday, CBS). The Raiders' defense couldn't stop the Chiefs' short, efficient passing attack at home, and it won't get too much better against the Chargers on the road. Danny Woodhead isn't Jamaal Charles, but he's pretty elusive in the open field, and Oakland will already have a hard time slowing down sizzling rookie wide receiver Keenan Allen. Philip Rivers will have his way, pushing defensive-minded Raiders coach Dennis Allen further down the firing line. Chargers 38, Raiders 24

Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers (8:40 p.m. Monday, ESPN). The final regular-season game at Candlestick Park is also a rematch of the final game of last year's NFC playoffs, but with major differences. It's far away from the Georgia Dome, and the Falcons are far removed from being last year's 13-3 power. Against Atlanta's defense, this is another chance for the 49ers to dial up big passing numbers to keep Colin Kaepernick hot before their return trip to the playoffs. Turn out the lights, the party's over in a Niners walkover. 49ers 42, Falcons 21

Stats of the Week

Last week's straight-up record: 10-6Season-to-date record: 137-86 (plus that pesky tie)Locks record: 12-3Upsets record: 6-9