The Silcoff Selections: NFL Week 16 Predictions – Straight Up & Against the Spread Picks

The Silcoff Selections are here for Week 16 of the 2025 NFL Season! Below are my records for my straight up and against the spread picks for the season thus far.

Records Last Week:

Straight Up: 9-7

Against The Spread: 9-7

Season Records:

Straight Up: 138-84-1

Against The Spread: 106-113-4

Thursday Night Football: Los Angeles Rams (11-3) @ Seattle Seahawks (11-3) I Line: Seahawks -1.5

Week 16 kicks off with arguably the biggest Thursday Night Football game possibly ever. It’s the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, with both teams sitting at 11–3.

The winner of this game moves into the number one seed not just in the NFC West, but the number one seed overall in the NFC. A lot of people are going to be on the Rams here because the last time these teams played, Sam Darnold looked awful, and honestly, he hasn’t been the same since. As a Seahawks fan, it’s been frustrating that he hasn’t looked as dynamic.

The last time these teams faced off, Darnold threw four interceptions and the Seahawks were still somehow in the game, lining up a potential game-winning field goal in the dying seconds. This time around, the Rams will be without Davante Adams, and the Seahawks will be without Charles Cross. Two major losses on both sides.

I know a lot of people are going to be on the Rams, and this could be the game where Matthew Stafford essentially clinches the MVP if he goes on the road and wins the NFC West. But I actually like Seattle in this spot. I know I’m biased, but I think this is the game where Darnold has his best primetime performance.

I also think Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks defense will find a way to take Puka Nacua out of the game a little bit. He won’t be shut down, but I don’t think he’s as productive as he’s been in recent weeks. This feels like the biggest game at Lumen Field since Week 17 in 2019 when the Seahawks played the 49ers for the division title.

That place is going to be rocking. It’s one of the toughest places to play in football when the games matter. Give me the Seahawks to somewhat surprise people on Thursday Night Football and jump into the number one seed with two games left.

Score Prediction: Seahawks 21, Rams 20

ATS Pick: Rams +1.5

Saturday & Sunday Games

Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) @ Washington Commanders (4-10) I Line: Eagles -6.5

I like the Eagles in this spot. They’re coming off a big win against the Raiders and it feels like they’ve gotten some of their mojo back.

Washington has ruled out Jayden Daniels for the remainder of the season, with Marcus Mariota set to start the final three games. I think the Commanders put up a fight, especially after snapping their losing streak last week against the Giants, but if the Eagles win this game, they clinch the NFC East. I think they do exactly that.

Score Prediction: Eagles 23, Commanders 17

ATS Pick: Commanders +6.5

Green Bay Packers (9-4-1 @ Chicago Bears (10-4) I Line: Packers -1

This game has major NFC North implications. The Packers are coming off a devastating week in Denver where they lost Micah Parsons to a torn ACL and Christian Watson to a chest injury, with his status still uncertain.

Meanwhile, Caleb Williams might have had his best game as a pro last week against Cleveland. I love the way the Bears are playing right now. This is probably the biggest game at Soldier Field in a very long time. If Chicago wins, they’re essentially a lock for the postseason.

I think they get it done at home and jump into first place in the NFC North with two games left.

Score Prediction: Bears 24, Packers 20

ATS Pick: Bears +1

Buffalo Bills (10-4) @ Cleveland Browns (3-11) I Line: Bills -10

Buffalo is coming off a massive comeback win against New England after trailing 21–0. On the other side, Shedeur Sanders is coming off probably his worst game as a pro so far.

I think Cleveland keeps it close early, but just like last week, I see the Bills pulling away late. Give me Buffalo on the road.

Score Prediction: Bills 28, Browns 14

ATS Pick: Bills -10

Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) @ Miami Dolphins (6-8) I Line: Bengals -4

The Bengals are coming off being shut out at home by Baltimore, while Miami is on a short week and has benched Tua. They’re going with Quinn Ewers as their starter.

I think Joe Burrow and the Bengals want to end the season strong despite being eliminated. I expect a major offensive bounce-back and a road win in Miami.

Score Prediction: Bengals 30, Dolphins 23

ATS Pick: Bengals -4

Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) @ Tennessee Titans (2-12) I Line: Chiefs -3

Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL last week, and the Chiefs were officially eliminated from playoff contention. I think this is just a brutal emotional spot for Kansas City.

Meanwhile, Tennessee is still fighting for something down the stretch. I actually like the Titans at home here. Cam Ward and the Titans squeak by Kansas City, and while it’s not the “real” Chiefs, it will feel like a huge win for that franchise.

Score Prediction: Titans 19, Chiefs 16

ATS Pick: Titans +3

Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) @ Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1) I Line: Cowboys -2

The Chargers are coming off a huge win in Kansas City, while the Cowboys are coming off a terrible Sunday night loss to the Vikings.

Indoors, I like Justin Herbert and this offense to dominate the Cowboys defense. If the Eagles win on Saturday, Dallas will already be eliminated, which makes this an even tougher spot for them. I like the Chargers to go into Dallas, win, and lock up their playoff spot.

Score Prediction: Chargers 28, Cowboys 24

ATS Pick: Chargers +2

Minnesota Vikings (6-8) @ New York Giants (2-12) I Line: Vikings -3

J.J. McCarthy has been solid over the last two games. Jaxson Dart is a good quarterback, but he spends way too much time in the blue medical tent, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that happens again here.

If that’s the case, I like Minnesota. McCarthy has been playing well, and I think Justin Jefferson has his best game in a while.

Score Prediction: Vikings 23, Giants 19

ATS Pick: Vikings -3

New York Jets (3-11) @ New Orleans Saints (4-10) I Line: Saints -4.5

This game matters more for draft positioning, but I like what the Saints have shown the past couple of weeks. They’re coming off two straight wins against divisional opponents.

Tyler Shough has looked really good, and this team is clearly playing hard for Kellen Moore. I think the Jets are terrible, and New Orleans keeps the momentum going with a third straight win.

Score Prediction: Saints 27, Jets 17

ATS Pick: Saints -4.5

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) @ Carolina Panthers (7-7) I Line: Buccaneers -3

The winner of this game moves into first place in the NFC South. Carolina is a completely different team at home, and I think they keep this close.

That said, Tampa Bay is coming off two embarrassing division losses and has had extra rest after playing on Thursday. Baker Mayfield has also had success against the Panthers during his time in Tampa. I like the Buccaneers to win a hard-fought road game and take control of the division.

Score Prediction: Buccaneers 27, Panthers 26

ATS Pick: Panthers +3

Atlanta Falcons (5-9) @ Arizona Cardinals (3-11) I Line: Falcons -2.5

Not much to say here. Both teams are long eliminated. I’ll go with the Falcons, who have shown a bit more fight. I think their offense looks better, and Raheem Morris gets the defense going against a Cardinals team that’s had a season from hell.

Score Prediction: Falcons 26, Cardinals 19

ATS Pick: Falcons -2.5

Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) @ Denver Broncos (12-2) I Line: Broncos -3

This is a huge game for AFC playoff implications. Denver is coming off a big win, and Bo Nix might have played his best game as a pro last week against Green Bay.

Trevor Lawrence also had arguably his best game as a pro last week, accounting for six touchdowns against the Jets. Still, I think this is a bad matchup for Jacksonville. I can see Lawrence getting baited into a couple interceptions against a Broncos defense that bounces back in a big way.

Give me Denver at home to get closer to clinching the AFC’s number one seed.

Score Prediction: Broncos 24, Jaguars 17

ATS Pick: Broncos -3

Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) @ Houston Texans (9-5) I Line: Texans -14

There’s not much to break down here. The Raiders might be the worst team in football right now, while the Texans offense is finally starting to match their elite defense.

I think Houston wins at home in dominant fashion and inches closer to clinching a playoff spot.

Score Prediction: Texans 30, Raiders 10

ATS Pick: Texans -14

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) @ Detroit Lions (8-6) I Line: Lions -7

Both teams are in massive playoff fights. Pittsburgh can gain ground in the AFC North, but Detroit needs to win out to even have a chance at making the playoffs.

The Lions have gone win-loss-win-loss throughout the season, and I think they realize how desperate they are here. With T.J. Watt not expected to play again, I like Detroit in a bounce-back spot at home.

Score Prediction: Lions 31, Steelers 23

ATS Pick: Lions -7

Sunday Night Football: New England Patriots (11-3) @ Baltimore Ravens (7-7) I Line: Ravens -3

This is a huge game for Baltimore. If they lose, they’re probably out of the postseason.

New England is coming off a devastating loss where they blew a 21–0 lead against Buffalo and missed a chance to clinch the division. All the stats say I should pick the Patriots, and I really want to, but Baltimore is the more desperate team.

I don’t see this young Patriots team going into a hostile environment on Sunday night and beating a desperate Ravens squad. Lamar Jackson had a strong showing last week, and I think he has one of his better games of the season here.

Score Prediction: Ravens 26, Patriots 22

ATS Pick: Ravens -3

Monday Night Football: San Francisco 49ers (10-4) @ Indianapolis Colts (8-6) I Line: 49ers -6

If the Seahawks win on Thursday night, the 49ers still have a path to a first-round bye. If they win out, they would be the NFC’s number one seed.

They’re taking on Philip Rivers and the Colts. Rivers wasn’t terrible in his first NFL game since 2020 after coming out of retirement, but this feels like too much to ask.

If San Francisco sees a path to the number one seed, I think they go all out. I expect a big day from Christian McCaffrey and one of Brock Purdy’s better games. Despite all the injuries this season, I like the 49ers to go into Indy and get a huge primetime win.

Score Prediction: 49ers 30, Colts 16

ATS Pick: 49ers -6

Straight Up/Moneyline Picks:

• Seahawks

• Eagles

• Bears

• Bills

• Bengals

• Titans

• Chargers

• Vikings

• Saints

• Buccaneers

• Falcons

• Broncos

• Texans

• Lions

• Ravens

• 49ers

Picks ATS:

• Rams +1.5

• Commanders +6.5

• Bears +1

• Bills -10

• Bengals -4

• Titans +3

• Chargers +2

• Vikings -3

• Saints -4.5

• Falcons -2.5

• Texans -14

• Lions -7

• Ravens -3

• 49ers -6