N.F.L. Week 16 Predictions: Our Picks Against the Spread

Quarterback Jalen Hurts delivered one of his best games of the season last week — he completed 77 percent of his passes for 296 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. The offense, led by Hurts and running backs Miles Sanders and Boston Scott, has rushed for more than 200 yards in five of the last seven games.

The Giants’ season has gone another way. Their offense, which struggled even before Daniel Jones injured his neck, has not eclipsed 200 yards passing in six consecutive games (yuck). It is unclear whether Coach Joe Judge will start Jake Fromm or Mike Glennon in Jones’s place. Neither will be able to keep pace with Philadelphia. Pick: Eagles -10

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox

Line: Buccaneers -11 | Total: 44

In a shutout loss to the Saints — Tom Brady’s first shutout since 2006 — the Buccaneers (10-4) were dealt a huge blow with a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury to wide receiver Chris Godwin as well as concerning injuries to wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring), running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and linebacker Lavonte David (foot). The severity of the latter three is something to monitor as the playoffs approach, but Tampa Bay’s backups will suffice against the Panthers (5-9).

Carolina has arguably the worst quarterback room in the league, and Coach Matt Rhule said both Cam Newton and Sam Darnold, who just returned from a shoulder injury, will both play on Sunday. Wide receiver Antonio Brown should play after serving a three-game suspension for using a fake vaccine card, and Brady should be able to score at will while the Panthers’ lousy offense continues to struggle. Pick: Buccaneers -11

Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans, 1 p.m., CBS

Line: Chargers -8 | Total: 46

Coach Brandon Staley has already ruled out edge rusher Joey Bosa, and the Chargers (8-6) could be without running back Austin Ekeler and center Corey Linsley against the Texans (3-11) because of coronavirus issues. Even with those potential absences, Los Angeles is capable of dominating Houston. The Chargers allow the 10th-fewest passing yards per game, and they should easily contain wide receiver Brandin Cooks, the Texans’ best offensive weapon. That’s if he even plays, as the team placed him on the Covid-19 reserve list on Wednesday afternoon. Bet on the Chargers with confidence, even if they are short-handed. Pick: Chargers -9.5

Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m., CBS

Line: Raiders -1.5 | Total: 42.5

The Raiders (7-7) kept their postseason hopes alive on Monday by barely beating a Browns team that started a third-string quarterback. The Broncos (7-7) are also technically in the hunt, making this something of a must-win for both teams. Denver is likely to start Drew Lock at quarterback as Teddy Bridgewater recovers from a concussion. That’s not ideal for Denver, as Lock is known to make improper reads and turnovers. Las Vegas beat the Broncos in October in its first game after Jon Gruden’s resignation, and the team is capable of repeating if it leans on its defense to cause pressure and force Lock into mistakes. Pick: Raiders -1.5

Washington Football Team at Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m., NBC

Line: Cowboys -10 | Total: 47.5

The Cowboys (10-4) beat Washington (6-8) two weeks ago and will likely do so again. Because of the coronavirus, Washington started its third-string quarterback, Garrett Gilbert, against Philadelphia last week, and it is unclear whether Taylor Heinicke or Kyle Allen will be available to play at Dallas. The Cowboys have won three straight games, a surge that has surprisingly been led by the team’s defense. Micah Parsons continues to excel as a versatile edge rusher, with 12 sacks, and Trevon Diggs leads the league with 10 interceptions. If quarterback Dak Prescott and the offense take care of the ball, the defense should smother Washington and keep the score within the spread. Pick: Cowboys -10