Scout.com Week 16 NFL Picks

As NFL teams get ready for action before the Christmas holiday, former pro scout Tom Marino takes a look at the lineup of games for Week 16 and makes his picks.

Pittsburgh at St. Louis:Why do I think this one is going to be closer than most people expect? But in the end, I just don't believe the Rams have the people up front offensively to handle the Steelers' blitz packages Pick: Pittsburgh

Dallas at Carolina: Both clubs were surprised last weekend — the Panthers with a win over the Seahawks and the Cowboys with their loss to the Eagles — but don't look for history to repeat itself this weekend in "The Queen City." Pick: Dallas

Cleveland at Cincinnati: The Browns, still alive for the AFC North title, are not about to let this struggling but still dangerous Bengals club avenge their 51–45 loss in Week 2 and possibly upset their playoff plans. Pick: Cleveland

Kansas City at Detroit: The Chiefs have lost seven straight while the Lions' losing streak stands at six. Both clubs were soundly beaten last week, so my pick of the Lions is based solely on the fact that there are playing on their turf. Pick: Detroit

Houston at Indianapolis: Trust me, Tony Dungy and his business-like Indianapolis Colts football club have total tunnel vision and are not looking beyond this week's home matchup against the Texans. Pick: Indianapolis

Green Bay at Chicago: Coming off a short-week loss to the division rival Vikings, the only advantages the beleaguered Bears possess — and can hope for — is their home turf and weather conditions that could possibly neutralize the Packers' potent offense. Pick: Green Bay

New York Giants at Buffalo: The Bills are out of the playoff picture while the struggling Giants desperately need this one to get to the promised land. Both clubs are banged up physically, but I don't like what I've seen from Eli in recent weeks. And the Bills' special teams are superior. Pick: Buffalo

Oakland at Jacksonville: You can put this one up on the board today. The Jaguars are playing great football, while the Raiders are just trying to find something positive to take from their fifth-straight losing season. Pick: Jacksonville

Eagles running back Brian Westbrook
(AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)

Philadelphia at New Orleans: The inconsistent Saints can't afford another loss if they are to have any real chance of advancing, and will need some help to advance to the 2007 playoff round. QB Drew Brees has been on fire in recent weeks. Pick: New Orleans

Tampa Bay at San Francisco: The 49ers, led by former Vikings third-QB Shaun Hill, upset an underachieving Bengals squad last week. But I give them little chance this week against the NFC South champion Buccaneers. Pick: Tampa Bay

Atlanta at Arizona: Both teams are essentially just playing out the string, but based on the play of Falcons QB Chris Redman last week (4 of 15 for 34 yards and two inteceptions), I'm not certain they could beat the Arizona entry in the Arena Football League. Pick: Arizona

Miami at New England: Based on my exposure, if these two clubs played twenty times this season, I'm afraid the results would be the same in each contest. The Dolphins are a very poor football team with many holes to fill on both sides of the ball. Pick: New England

Baltimore at Seattle: Another no contest in my opinion. The Seahawks have some problems on the offensive side of the ball that limit them against most of the top teams in the league, but the Ravens fortunately are not one of them. Pick: Seattle

New York Jets at Tennessee: The Titans must win at home versus the Jets and get help from the underachieving Bengals in order to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Look for LenDale White to crack the thousand-yard rushing mark this week. Pick: Tennessee

Washington at Minnesota: The Vikings are coming off a short week but have too many offensive weapons at home for a Redskins club who have won two straight, but have lost another key member of their defensive unit (Rocky McIntosh). Pick: Minnesota

Denver at San Diego: QB Jay Cutler has thrown for better then 3,000 yards in his first season as a full-time regular, but unfortunately for the Broncos, he has had little impact on a defensive unit that has allowed 353 points through 14 games. Pick: San Diego