WhatIfSports NFL Week 16 predictions: Cardinals trump Packers in potential playoff preview
Each Tuesday, WhatIfSports.com's NFL simulation engine generates predictions and box scores for every NFL game for the coming week. Our highly sophisticated algorithms simulate every play of every game to produce each team's likelihood to win. Each matchup is simulated 501 times.
To account for injuries and roster moves announced late in the week, we will be re-simulating games on Thursdays through the season.
Note: Our predictions use the latest available team and player information, while NFL SimMatchup includes all players that were or will be available at any point during the 2015 season so that theoretical and "what if" scenarios can be simulated.
Week 15 Review
Our NFL simulation engine got back on the right track in Week 15 by going 10-6 picking games straight up. Unfortunately, picking against the spread was a little more difficult, as the engine went just 3-10. That's the first time since Week 5 that the engine has been below .500 against the spread.
Nailed It: We predicted the Packers would beat the Raiders by an average score of 27-21. The actual final score? Packers 30, Raiders 20.
Wide Right: In the Thursday night matchup, we had the Bucs beating the Rams by an average score of 26-22. Instead, the Rams ran to a 31-23 victory.
Track our 2015 performance or view our accuracy last season.
Week 16 Game to Watch
Green Bay at Arizona: Two of the league's best quarterbacks will go head-to-head in what could be a potential playoff matchup. Our NFL simulation engine has the Cardinals taking down the Packers 57.8 percent of the time by an average score of 25-22.
Week 16 Upset Pick
Redskins (+3) over Eagles: With the Redskins clinging on to the division lead in the NFC East, this one will have big-time playoff implications. Although the Eagles will be at home, our NFL simulation engine likes Washington to pull off the upset 52.1 percent of the time.
Fantasy Radar
Fantasy Start -- Kamar Aiken, BAL: The Ravens could be playing from behind in this one, which means Aiken could once again be a target monster. Our predictions have him ranked as a true WR1 this week, scoring 10.8 fantasy points.
Fantasy Sit -- Demaryius Thomas, DEN: Despite the fact he's coming off a big week, our engine isn't crazy about Denver's quarterback situation. Thomas is projected to score just 8.2 fantasy points this week.
Fantasy Add -- Donald Brown, SD: With Melvin Gordon out, Brown could have some late-season fantasy relevance taking over as the potential lead back in San Diego. Our engine thinks he'll have a big game, scoring 12.9 fantasy points.
For more fantasy football tips, view our Week 16 player projections.
NFL Week 16 Predictions
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Matchup | Win % | Avg. Score | |
| Cleveland Browns | 23.2 | 18 | Box Score |
| @ Kansas City Chiefs | 76.8 | 28 | Simulate Game |
| St. Louis Rams | 25.0 | 18 | Box Score |
| @ Seattle Seahawks | 75.0 | 27 | Simulate Game |
| San Francisco 49ers | 28.9 | 20 | Box Score |
| @ Detroit Lions | 71.1 | 27 | Simulate Game |
| New York Giants | 35.8 | 22 | Box Score |
| @ Minnesota Vikings | 64.2 | 27 | Simulate Game |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 39.6 | 18 | Box Score |
| @ Denver Broncos | 60.4 | 22 | Simulate Game |
| Chicago Bears | 41.2 | 23 | Box Score |
| @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 58.8 | 26 | Simulate Game |
| Green Bay Packers | 42.2 | 22 | Box Score |
| @ Arizona Cardinals | 57.8 | 25 | Simulate Game |
| Dallas Cowboys | 44.5 | 21 | Box Score |
| @ Buffalo Bills | 55.5 | 23 | Simulate Game |
| San Diego Chargers | 45.9 | 26 | Box Score |
| @ Oakland Raiders | 54.1 | 28 | Simulate Game |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 47.7 | 26 | Box Score |
| @ New Orleans Saints | 52.3 | 27 | Simulate Game |
| Washington Redskins | 52.1 | 25 | Box Score |
| @ Philadelphia Eagles | 47.9 | 24 | Simulate Game |
| Indianapolis Colts | 55.2 | 24 | Box Score |
| @ Miami Dolphins | 44.8 | 23 | Simulate Game |
| Houston Texans | 62.6 | 23 | Box Score |
| @ Tennessee Titans | 37.4 | 18 | Simulate Game |
| New England Patriots | 64.1 | 22 | Box Score |
| @ New York Jets | 35.9 | 17 | Simulate Game |
| Carolina Panthers | 79.8 | 27 | Box Score |
| @ Atlanta Falcons | 20.2 | 15 | Simulate Game |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 84.5 | 32 | Box Score |
| @ Baltimore Ravens | 15.5 | 20 | Simulate Game |
For additional content, view our Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, NFL archive or sortable weekly NFL predictions.
