NFL predictions: Week 16

The 16th NFL week offers fewer showdowns than Week 15, which was historic for its number of matchups involving playoff contenders. One problem this week, remember: there are fewer playoff contenders, since every week, another team or two falls from the list.

Falcons at Lions: Atlanta 30-20. Monday Night Football moves to Saturday night this week, and the Falcons nail down the No. 1 seed and thus homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

Titans at Packers: Green Bay 27-16. Packers are only a half game behind the the 49ers. The Packers sure would rather host the 49ers in the NFC title game rather than have to go to San Franciso.

Vikings at Texans: Houston 31-20. Can Adrian Peterson get the majority of the 294 yards he needs to bust Eric Dickerson’s NFL single-season rushing record? Houston will be geared to stop Peterson, but that’s nothing new.

Redskins at Eagles: Washington 30-17. Remember when the ‘Skins were the dysfunctional team headed nowhere and the Eagles were regal? Things change fast.

Saints at Cowboys: Dallas 34-24. You’re always skittish playing Drew Brees and New Orleans, but the Saints’ pass defense is porous, and Tony Romo is playing the best football of his life.

Raiders at Panthers: Carolina 27-10. Cam Newton, love him or kryptonite him, gives the Panthers something the Raiders don’t have. Hope.

Bills at Dolphins: Miami 23-17. I’m told that the 6-8 Dolphins still have a sliver of a playoff chance. Let’s see. If Miami beats Buffalo this week and New England next week, the Dolphins are in the playoffs if Pittsburgh beats Cincinnati this week; the Steelers lose to Cleveland and the Bengals lose to Baltimore next week; and the Jets lose either this week to San Diego or Buffalo next week.