NFL Week 16 Predictions

Updated: Dec 25, 2018

Juggernauts fell this past week as the top-seeded Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots bit the dust. Both teams securely in the playoffs, mailed in their performance in week 15. Their opponents, in need of a win, dominated in every aspect.

The Steelers held the Patriots to ten points and under 100 yards rushing, the third instance for New England this season. The New England loss allowed the Houston Texans to climb into the number two seed in the AFC after a victory of the Jets.

Eagles' quarterback Nick Fole vs LA Rams (via NFL)

In Los Angeles, the Eagles dominated the NFC West champion Rams. Without Carson Wentz, Philadelphia's fire was lit as Nick Foles marched the offense up and down the field. Although not scoring a touchdown, Foles led the Eagles to a 17 points lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Rams came alive in the fourth quarter scoring ten unanswered points but ultimately fell short. Jared Goff has looked lost. In his last three games, he has totaled 1 touchdown and seven interceptions. Last night was another poor performance.

Two teams that have defeated the Rams and Eagles will clash in a battle of top ten offenses.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS VS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Steelers' WR Antonio Brown (via behindthesteelcurtain)

The New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers face off on Sunday for the first time since 2014. The last time the two teams met, New Orleans traveled to Pittsburgh and put up 35 points on the Steelers defense in route to a three-point victory.

In fact, the Saints currently lead the series 8-7 over the Steelers including two consecutive wins. While the rosters are over 90 percent different, New Orleans and Pittsburgh have had two constants-Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger.

Both quarterbacks have had phenomenal seasons with Drew Brees a leading MVP candidate. Brees has led the Saints to a 12-2 record and the number one seed in the NFC. Although the best record in football, the Saints have quietly struggled in recent weeks.

New Orleans is 2-1 in their last three games but a successful record has clouded poor offensive play. A week 13 loss to the Cowboys ended the Saints five-game streak of scoring 30 points. The game also started the downward trend of the Saints offense.

Dallas held the Saints to 10 points and in subsequent weeks New Orleans went from averaging 34 points in the first 12 weeks to 16 points in the last the three.

The main cause for the slide is quarterback Drew Brees. The Saints' quarterback was putting up MVP numbers and on pace for his 13th straight season with 4,000 passing yards until week 13 against Dallas where is his case for MVP collapsed.

Saints' quarterback Drew Brees & running back Alvin Kamara (via USAtoday)

Against the Cowboys, Drew Brees began a trend of below average play that has carried throughout the last three weeks. Since week 13, Brees has averaged under a touchdown per game, 177 yards and a mediocre 77.2 QBR. Where Brees goes the Saints offense goes and due to the quarterback's struggles, New Orleans' offensive weapons have felt the repercussions.

Running back Alvin Kamara and 2019 Pro Bowl receiver Michael combined for just one touchdown and only Kamara has eclipsed 100 total yards just once in the last three weeks.

While the Saints offensive production has slipped the New Orleans defense has picked up the slack.

New Orleans' defense has dominated against the run, ranking first in the NFL. In their 14 games played this season, the Saints have allowed 100 yards rushing just three times and give up 79 yards per game. The big question is how well will New Orleans' 28th ranked passing defense fend against the Steelers' third-ranked passing attack.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are the most inconsistent good team in the NFL. Pittsburgh has won against Tom Brady and the Patriots and put up 52 points on the Panthers' defense. Pittsburgh has also lost to the dysfunctional Raiders and tied with the pre-Baker Mayfield Browns.

The inconsistencies start with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger as he as thrown 15 interceptions-tied for first in the NFL. The interceptions alone are cause for concern but when Roethlisberger throws them are more worrying. Roethlisberger has four multiple interception games, including two three-interception games. The targets of the errant throws are two of the most dynamic receivers in the NFL.

Steelers' WR JuJu Smith-Schuster & Antonio Brown (via LA Times)

2018 has been the year of JuJu Smith-Schuster. The second-year wideout has totaled 95 receptions, 1,274 yards and 6 touchdowns-out performing his counterpart Antonio Brown in the first two categories. Smith-Schuster may not reach the end-zone as much as Brown, but he has been more effective averaging totaling a seven-point higher catch percentage while being targeted eight times less.

Brown has been his typical elite receiver self with his league-leading 13 touchdowns.

A blimp on the Steelers' radar is the injury to running back James Conner. Conner told the Athletic on Wednesday his ankle was not 100 percent and he was "not ready yet." 2018 fifth-round draft pick Jaylen Samuels will continue to fill in for Conner considering his 142-yard performance last week versus New England.

Pittsburgh can match the threat of New Orleans and the Steelers' ninth-ranked defense can slow down the Saints' star-studded offense.

Defending against Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram is a tough task for any team, but the sixth-ranked Pittsburgh rushing defense could force New Orleans to pass the ball. If the case, the Steelers' strength is getting to the quarterback.

Steelers' sack leader T.J Watt (via steelcityunderground.com)

Led by T.J Watt's 11.5, Pittsburgh is second in the NFL with 46 sacks-only one behind the Vikings for the lead. The Saints' offensive line improves Pittsburgh's chances to get to the quarterback as New Orleans allows only 2.59 seconds for Drew Brees to throw-third worst in the league.

Star-studded offenses are expected to shine on Sunday with top-tier talent on both sidelines. The passing game for both teams will shine while the teams' top six rushing defense will prevent a large impact from the rushing attack.

Verdict:

The Saints and Steelers possess two of the most explosive offenses in the NFL while their defenses are elite when it comes to stopping the run.

The Sunday afternoon matchup is going to come down to the quarterback play as if that was not obvious enough. Drew Brees has struggled as of recently but has somehow found a way to lead New Orleans to victory.

Ben Roethlisberger's Achilles heel has been his inconsistencies. If Roethlisberger can limit turnovers, Pittsburgh will be in prime position to win and upset the Saints at home.

The biggest factor in the Saints' favor is home field advantage. New Orleans is currently 5-1 at home and average 38 points in the comfortable site of the Mercedes Benz Super Dome. In contrast, Pittsburgh averages just 22 points on the road.

A back and forth game with elite offenses matching each other on every level will end in a satisfying way. A Saints victory giving way for New Orleans to rest its stars in the final week of the season while Pittsburgh fights for the AFC North Division title will close out the game of the week.

FINAL SCORE: Saints 31, Steelers 27