UTTQ Predictions: Week 16

Only two more weeks in the NFL season? How can it be so? In any case, these last few weeks is do-or-die time for multiple teams in the league, including those that are playoff bound, and those that are preparing for next year. What sorts of exciting action will Week 16 bring? Without further adieu, here's UTTQ's 100th post (with hundreds more hopefully on the way):

HOUSTON 23, INDIANAPOLIS 17

Indy finally got off the schnide and will avoid an infamous 0-16 season. Much to the delight of Colts fans, they still possess the first pick in the draft. It's hard to force a team to intentionally lose games, but if the Colts manage to upset the Texans, it could possibly throw a major wrench in their draft positioning. The Texans looked week against the Panthers last weak, but they have managed to keep a consistent gameplan against opponents. If Andre Johnson is brought back into the fold, a Texans win is certainly a must here.

OAKLAND 24, KANSAS CITY 17
So Kansas City just beat the undefeated Green Bay Packers, who were riding a 19 game winning streak. Talk about luck huh? Actually, Kansas City played good enough football to keep the Packers' high-flying offense from getting off the ground. Oakland plays a different type of ball game, and will be looking to try keep their playoff hopes (and respectable start to the season) alive.

JACKSONVILLE 20, TENNESSEE 27
Tennessee fell flat on its face last week against the winless Colts, and now get to face another disappointing AFC South team in the Jaguars. The Jags have relied on rattled rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert, and the strong legs of Maurice Jones-Drew. But even that may not be enough to beat Tennessee.

MIAMI 20, NEW ENGLAND 34
The Patriots wrote another chapter in their rivalry with Denver by thoroughly demolishing the Broncos. Miami has quietly been doing some good things this season, despite their record. However, the talent level between the Dolphins and Patriots is still a gap as wide as the distance between Boston and Miami.

ARIZONA 20, CINCINNATI 23
Arizona has been effective this season, but only found their late season success behind quarterback John Skelton. The Bengals have certainly performed well in many games this season, and although they'll end up on the outside looking in, they could certainly be a formidable AFC North for years to come (sounds like people talking about the '07 Browns). In any case, this game is certainly a toss-up, so I'll take Cincy just for kicks.

DENVER 27, BUFFALO 23
Tebowmania rolls into Buffalo this week, and after a disappointing loss to the mighty patriots, the Bills could be just what Denver needs to get back on track. The Bills have fallen hard in recent weeks, and will try to play spoiler to the AFC West leading Broncos. It will be interesting to see whether Tebow and company can rebound from last week, or if their season too was nothing more than a fluke.

ST. LOUIS 14, PITTSBURGH 31
The Steelers were humbled in San Francisco, and their bid to make the top seed in the AFC was seriously threatened. Fortunately, with a few games against cupcake teams on the immediate horizon, the Steelers can ease back players like Ben Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey back into the fold slowly.

NEW YORK GIANTS 23, NEW YORK JETS 30
Quite possibly the game of the week, each team is fighting for a spot in the playoffs. Both teams were embarrassed by weaker opponents last week (You think the Eagles are a strong team? Then why aren't they a lock for the playoffs yet?), and the pressure is certainly on, as both coaches can attest. A loss would certainly hurt Ryan's ego, but a loss for the G-Men could result in Coughlin's job. The Giants cannot afford another late season collapse...unfortunately, it seems all-to-expected.