Prisco's NFL Week 16 Picks: Raiders are a lock, Vikings finish off Giants – CBSSports.com

Last week was good for my picks.

I went 13-3 against the spread in a late-season push.

Motivation is key when making late-season picks. Picking San Diego against Miami was so easy last week with all the factors in play.

That’s why I want to give you an early Christmas present:

The Raiders are a lock on Christmas Eve against the Chargers. Why? San Diego is coming off an emotional victory over Miami that could be their last game in San Diego. Now it’s a short week, and they’re playing on the road on a holiday week.

Good luck with that.

The Raiders are a lock.

Merry Christmas, and you’re welcome for the early present.

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San Diego (4-10) at Oakland (6-8)
Thursday, Dec. 24, 8:25 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

The Chargers aren’t great, have a ton of injuries and motivation will be key. The Raiders at home will play hard and show up in front of a national television audience. The Raiders take it.

The Pick: Raiders 24, Chargers 20

Philip Rivers won’t get out of Oakland with a win. (USATSI)

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Washington (7-7) at Philadelphia (6-8)
Saturday, Dec. 26, 8:25 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

If the Redskins win, they lock up the NFC East. If the Eagles win, they would need to just beat the Giants the next week to win the division. With all of that on the line, I think Kirk Cousins will continue his hot streak and find a way to beat the Eagles. Redskins take it.

The Pick: Redskins 24, Eagles 20

Kirk Cousins win lead the Redskins to the NFC East title Saturday night.(USATSI)

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New England (12-2) at NY Jets (9-5)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Jets are still in the playoff hunt, but the Patriots need this to lock up the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Jets have been good on offense lately, but they won’t be able to keep up with Tom Brady and gang here. The Patriots get the top seed.

The Pick: Patriots 27, Jets 20

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Houston (7-7) at Tennessee (3-11)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Texans control their playoff fate. If they win their last two, they win the division. The Titans will be without Marcus Mariota the rest of the way. That means Zack Mettenberger. That will make it tough to pull off the upset. The Texans take another step to the playoffs.

The Pick: Texans 17, Titans 10

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Cleveland (3-11) at Kansas City (9-5)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Browns are playing consecutive road games against potential playoff teams. That’s a challenge. The Chiefs are ripping off victories, and there’s nothing here to think that will stop. They get after Johnny Manziel. Chiefs big.

The Pick: Chiefs 27, Browns 17

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Indianapolis (6-8) at Miami (5-9)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Dolphins didn’t show up last week at San Diego. But this is a home game. It’s easier to show up. The Colts won’t have Andrew Luck back here, which won’t help. They are still alive in the playoff hunt, but need help. The Dolphins are playing for nothing, but they will show up in this one.

The Pick: Dolphins 21, Colts 17

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Jacksonville (5-9) at New Orleans (5-9)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 4:05 p.m. ET (CBS)

If you like points, this is the game for you. Neither team has a defense. Expect a lot of passes with Drew Brees and Blake Bortles. It will be fun, even if it doesn’t mean much.

The Pick: Saints 37, Jaguars 31

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San Francisco (4-10) at Detroit (5-9)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Lions still have a lot of talent and can score points, which they showed against the Saints Monday night. The 49ers won’t be able to keep up. Lions easy.

The Pick: Lions 30, 49ers 21

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Dallas (4-10) at Buffalo (6-8)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Cowboys will start Kellen Moore on the road here. They put a lot into trying to upset the Jets last week. The motivation is gone. The Bills are back home off two bad losses. They rebound.

The Pick: Bills 26, Cowboys 17

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Chicago (5-9) at Tampa Bay (6-8)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

Lovie Smith gets a crack at a team that fired him. But for these two this game is little more than trying to build for 2016. Both teams flirted with playoff hopes, but have losing streaks that ended those chances. At home, I’ll go with Jameis Winston.

The Pick: Bucs 27, Bears 21

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Carolina (14-0) at Atlanta (7-7)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Panthers can lock up the top seed in the NFC with a victory here. The Falcons are still alive in the playoff hunt, but barely. That ends here. Cam Newton keeps it rolling.

The Pick: Panthers 30, Falcons 17

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New York Giants (6-8) at Minnesota (9-5)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 8:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

The Giants are barely alive in the playoff race –- and might be done by kickoff — while the Vikings are likely in and could win the NFC North. But if they want a shot to win the division against Green Bay in Week 17, they have to win here. They do. Teddy Bridgewater is playing much better.

The Pick: Vikings 28, Giants 23

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St. Louis (6-8) at Seattle (9-5)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)

The Rams beat the Seahawks in the opener this year, but these teams have gone in opposite directions. The Seahawks are playing great football. But I expect the Rams to show up and compete here. They will keep it closer than expected.

The Pick: Seahawks 24, Rams 13

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Green Bay (10-4) at Arizona (12-2)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)

This is the best game of the week. The Cardinals are rolling, and these two teams could meet down the road in the playoffs. This is a second-straight road game for the Packers. That matters. They won’t keep up with the Cardinals.

The Pick: Cardinals 37, Packers 31

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Pittsburgh (9-5) at Baltimore (4-10)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

This rivalry isn’t what it’s been in large part because of the Ravens injuries. But the Steelers need the game and they will play like it. They will love beating up on the Ravens, who won’t be able to slow Ben Roethlisberger and crew.

The Pick: Steelers 28, Ravens 13

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Cincinnati (11-3) at Denver (10-4)
Monday, Dec. 28, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

This is basically a game for the second seed in the AFC. Both teams would love that. The Bengals are playing consecutive road games, while AJ McCarron will be making just his second start. The Denver defense will come out and play well after getting ripped up in Pittsburgh last week. The Broncos take it.

The Pick: Broncos 24, Bengals 17

AJ McCarron will have a rough night against the Broncos defense. (USATSI)

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