CBS Sports writers Jordan Dajani and Jared Dubin have released their picks for the top matchups in NFL Week 16, highlighting games like Rams at Seahawks and Packers at Bears. With playoff implications on the line, both experts favor the Rams to maintain their NFC West lead. Their head-to-head analysis covers spreads and score forecasts from DraftKings lines.
Week 15 brought injuries to stars like Patrick Mahomes, Micah Parsons, and Davante Adams, while the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals were eliminated from playoffs. The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams have clinched the top seeds in their conferences, but face tough tests ahead.
In the Thursday Night Football opener, both Dajani and Dubin pick the Rams to cover the +1.5 spread against the Seattle Seahawks. Dajani cites Sam Darnold's poor history versus Los Angeles, predicting a 24-20 Rams win, while Dubin expects a low-scoring affair at 20-16.
For Saturday's Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears (-1.5), opinions split: Dajani backs the Bears after their 31-3 rout of Cleveland, forecasting 23-17, noting Chicago's league-leading 30 takeaways. Dubin sees value in the Packers +1.5, predicting 23-20 despite injuries to Parsons and Christian Watson.
Both agree on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) over Carolina Panthers, with Dajani at 26-20 and Dubin at 24-17, trusting Baker Mayfield's offense against Bryce Young's inconsistency.
In Los Angeles Chargers at Dallas Cowboys (-2.5), they pick the Chargers +2.5; Dajani 30-24, Dubin 27-23, praising L.A.'s recent defense allowing just 17.3 points per game.
Jaguars at Broncos (-3) divides them: Dajani takes Jaguars +3 at 27-23, highlighting Trevor Lawrence's surge, while Dubin sticks with Broncos 20-16.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions (-7) sees both favoring Lions; Dajani 30-20, Dubin 31-17, citing Detroit's 30.6 points per game average.
New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens (-3) splits again: Dajani picks Patriots +3 at 28-21, Dubin Ravens 24-20.
Finally, San Francisco 49ers (-6.5) at Indianapolis Colts draws unanimous 49ers support; Dajani 24-16, Dubin 27-16, emphasizing San Francisco's offensive weapons.
These picks reflect lines as of Thursday morning at DraftKings Sportsbook.
