Prisco’s Week 16 NFL picks: Commanders hand Eagles first loss since September, Bucs top Cowboys to stay hot

I did it.

I did it.

I did it.

I had a winning week. Finally. It’s a Christmas miracle.

After weeks of horrible picking, so bad I even had to make fun of myself, I finally had a winning week both against the spread and straight up.

Whew.

I went 13-3 straight up to bring my season record to 141-83-0, and I went 11-5 ATS to up that record to 101-119-4. The ATS record isn’t where it needs to be, but a few more 11-5 weeks will change that.

I feel so much better now after the winning week and my confidence is growing. That means I will follow it up with another big-time week here with the picks. It’s time to build some momentum as we head to the postseason.

Let’s go.

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (-3)

Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Prime Video)

This is a good Thursday night game between two teams that would be in the playoffs right now. The Chargers have lost two straight and did not play well last week against the Bucs. They will play better here. The defense will limit Bo Nix and Justin Herbert will hit some timely throws down the field to win it.

I did it.

I did it.

I did it.

I had a winning week. Finally. It’s a Christmas miracle.

After weeks of horrible picking, so bad I even had to make fun of myself, I finally had a winning week both against the spread and straight up.

Whew.

I went 13-3 straight up to bring my season record to 141-83-0, and I went 11-5 ATS to up that record to 101-119-4. The ATS record isn’t where it needs to be, but a few more 11-5 weeks will change that.

I feel so much better now after the winning week and my confidence is growing. That means I will follow it up with another big-time week here with the picks. It’s time to build some momentum as we head to the postseason.

Let’s go.

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (-3)

Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Prime Video)

This is a good Thursday night game between two teams that would be in the playoffs right now. The Chargers have lost two straight and did not play well last week against the Bucs. They will play better here. The defense will limit Bo Nix and Justin Herbert will hit some timely throws down the field to win it.

Pick: Chargers 24, Broncos 17

Bonus: We can tell you that SportsLine expert Matt Severance, who is on a 23-7 roll betting the Broncos, is also leaning under for this prime-time matchup. To check out which side he’s backing in this massive AFC West showdown, head on over to SportsLine.

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (NBC, fubo try for free)

Patrick Mahomes is hobbled with a high-ankle sprain, but he could play. If he does, it makes things a lot easier for the Chiefs. But I think they win this game whether he plays or not. If it’s Carson Wentz, the defense wins it. The Texans just haven’t been great this season. Chiefs get it.

Pick: Chiefs 23, Texans 17

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-6.5)

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo try for free)

This is an enormous game in the AFC North. The Ravens lost to the Steelers earlier this year, but this is the time they get even. Lamar Jackson was limited in terms of production in that game, but he won’t be here. He will get the best of the Steelers defense as the Ravens make the division a race.

I did it.

I did it.

I did it.

I had a winning week. Finally. It’s a Christmas miracle.

After weeks of horrible picking, so bad I even had to make fun of myself, I finally had a winning week both against the spread and straight up.

Whew.

I went 13-3 straight up to bring my season record to 141-83-0, and I went 11-5 ATS to up that record to 101-119-4. The ATS record isn’t where it needs to be, but a few more 11-5 weeks will change that.

I feel so much better now after the winning week and my confidence is growing. That means I will follow it up with another big-time week here with the picks. It’s time to build some momentum as we head to the postseason.

Let’s go.

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (-3)

Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Prime Video)

This is a good Thursday night game between two teams that would be in the playoffs right now. The Chargers have lost two straight and did not play well last week against the Bucs. They will play better here. The defense will limit Bo Nix and Justin Herbert will hit some timely throws down the field to win it.

Pick: Chargers 24, Broncos 17

Bonus: We can tell you that SportsLine expert Matt Severance, who is on a 23-7 roll betting the Broncos, is also leaning under for this prime-time matchup. To check out which side he’s backing in this massive AFC West showdown, head on over to SportsLine.

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET (NBC, fubo try for free)

Patrick Mahomes is hobbled with a high-ankle sprain, but he could play. If he does, it makes things a lot easier for the Chiefs. But I think they win this game whether he plays or not. If it’s Carson Wentz, the defense wins it. The Texans just haven’t been great this season. Chiefs get it.

Pick: Chiefs 23, Texans 17

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-6.5)

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo try for free)

This is an enormous game in the AFC North. The Ravens lost to the Steelers earlier this year, but this is the time they get even. Lamar Jackson was limited in terms of production in that game, but he won’t be here. He will get the best of the Steelers defense as the Ravens make the division a race.

Pick: Ravens 27, Steelers 20

New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons (-9)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo try for free)

The Falcons beat the Raiders on Monday night, but Kirk Cousins didn’t look good and now he’s become a very expensive backup to rookie first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. Look for Atlanta’s offense to show some spark — it can’t be much worse — while the defense will limit an undermanned Giants offense. Falcons big.

Pick: Falcons 31, Giants 14

Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers (+4.5)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo try for free)

This is a long trip for the Cardinals, who are coming off a bounce-back victory to snap a losing streak, They played better in that victory over the Patriots. Carolina didn’t play well in losing to the Cowboys, but I think it plays better here as the offense gets back on track. Panthers keep it close.

Pick: Cardinals 23, Panthers 21

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (+6.5)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (Fox, fubo try for free)

The Lions are decimated by injuries to their defense, which will make this a challenge. The Bears are riding an eight-game losing streak and haven’t played well the past two weeks. But something says they hang around against that beaten-down Lions defense. Lions win it, but Bears stay close.