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NFL Week 16 Staff Picks: Saturday night's alright for San Diego

Each week during the NFL season, the staff at theScore will put on their prognosticator hats and offer up selections against the spread for each of the week’s games, highlighting several marquee matchups.

Game Bottero Holroyd Wilkins
Titans at Jaguars JAX -3 JAX -3 JAX -3
Eagles at Redskins WSH +8 PHI -8 PHI -8
Chargers at 49ers SD +2.5 SD +2.5 SD +2.5
Vikings at Dolphins MIN +6.5 MIN +6.5 MIA -6.5
Packers at Buccaneers TB +10.5 GB -10.5 GB -10.5
Lions at Bears DET -7 DET -7 DET -7
Falcons at Saints ATL +6 NO -6 ATL +6
Patriots at Jets NE -10 NE -10 NE -10
Chiefs at Steelers KC +3 KC +3 PIT -3
Browns at Panthers CAR -4 CAR -4 CAR -4
Ravens at Texans HOU +5.5 BAL -5.5 BAL -5.5
Giants at Rams NYG +4.5 STL -4.5 STL -4.5
Bills at Raiders OAK +5.5 BUF -5.5 BUF -5.5
Colts at Cowboys IND +3 DAL -3 IND +3
Seahawks at Cardinals SEA -7.5 ARI +7.5 ARI +7.5
Broncos at Bengals CIN +3 DEN -3 DEN -3

Unanimous selections: Jaguars -3, Chargers +2.5, Lions -7, Patriots -10, Panthers -4

Unanimous selections are 26-23-1 ATS for the season. Last week: 2-1 ATS.

Marquee Matchups

San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers (-2.5)

Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers

Gino Bottero: The Chargers haven't been overly impressive over the last several weeks, but they've looked a lot better than the 49ers. San Francisco's linebacking corps took another hit this week, and this latest blow may be the one that finally breaks the unit's collective back. The Chargers' edge at quarterback will be the difference. Chargers +2.5

Caitlyn Holroyd: Things went from bad to worse for the 49ers in Week 15, as they were officially limited from playoff contention. Colin Kaepernick and the offense continue to lose, and that may end up costing Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman their jobs. The Chargers are dealing with their own quarterback struggles - but are 3-0 in their past three games against the 49ers, with the last two being decided by 27 or more points. Chargers +2.5

Dan Wilkins: Now officially out of playoff contention, and with head coach Jim Harbaugh almost certainly on his way out, the 49ers just don't have much left to play for. Desperate for a win to keep their postseason hopes alive, look for the Chargers to take full advantage and come away with a convincing victory. Chargers +2.5

Indianapolis Colts at Dallas Cowboys (-3)

Andrew Luck, QB, Colts

Bottero: The injury to DeMarco Murray hurts more than just the Cowboys' offense. He was effectively their best defensive player, churning out yards and burning time off the clock, keeping that sub-par Cowboys defense on the sideline. If this becomes a shootout, with both quarterbacks going head-to-head, riding with Andrew Luck over a less than healthy Tony Romo is the way to go. Colts +3

Holroyd: The Cowboys may be without their star running back, but it shouldn't matter, as the Colts' rushing defense is giving up 110.4 yards per game. Indianapolis has also struggled on the road against good teams, losing to the Broncos in the season opener and dropping a 51-34 contest to the Steelers in Week 8. Romo and co. should have plenty of opportunities to put up some big numbers. Cowboys -3

Wilkins: The Cowboys took full control of the NFC East with their prime-time win over the Eagles, but a matchup with the Colts may have them set to give it right back. Indianapolis' top-ranked passing offense will be in for a big day, and with Murray's status in question, Dallas may not be able to keep up. Colts +3

Seattle Seahawks (-7.5) at Arizona Cardinals

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks

Bottero: For his career, Ryan Lindley has thrown zero touchdowns and seven interceptions. The former sixth-round pick will be thrown to the wolves on Sunday, in the former of the Seahawks' top-ranked pass defense. For as good as the Cardinals' defense is, they would have to be near-perfect to keep the team in this one. Seattle wins comfortably. Seahawks -7.5

Holroyd: The Seahawks may be the most dangerous team in the NFL right now, with Marshawn Lynch in Beast Mode and their defense allowing an average of just 6.75 points and 188 yards in their past four games. That will make for a long night for Lindley, who, in seven career games, has yet to record a touchdown pass. Still, the Cardinals are a resilient team and should be able to cover the spread at home, where they're a perfect 7-0. Cardinals +7.5

Wilkins: The Seahawks and Cardinals matching up for the second time this year should result in one of the lowest scoring games we've seen yet. Seattle's defense will carry them to victory with the Cardinals down to their third-string quarterback - but don't sleep on Arizona's defense. They'll keep this game much closer than many will anticipate. Cardinals +7.5

Wild-Card Selections

Bottero: The Bears look lost right now, and they have been even worse off when playing at Soldier Field. Over their last 17 home games, the Bears have covered the number only three times (3-13-1 ATS). In that time, they are 0-6 both straight up and against the number as home underdogs. The Lions enter having won three in a row, including a 17-point victory over these very Bears. Lions -7

Holroyd: The Saints have struggled at home this season, but luckily for them, the Falcons have won in New Orleans just once in the past 10 years. Atlanta also has the NFL's worst passing defense, which Drew Brees will be all too happy to exploit after racking up 375 yards and three touchdowns against an equally-bad Bears defense. Saints -6

WilkinsPeyton Manning and the Broncos' offense may not be at the top of their game, but it won't matter in this one. Denver's strong defensive front shutting down the Cincinnati rushing attack would put the game on the shoulders of Andy Dalton, and that's not what the Bengals want. Broncos -3

More NFL Betting Resources

TNF Betting Preview (Thursday)
Week 16 Betting Preview (Friday)
Game Day Betting Update (Sunday)
MNF Betting Preview (Monday)

Lines courtesy Scoresandodds.com.

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