Unlike disgruntled Bengals QB Joe Burrow, I can take a hit without pouting, so before we dive into my NFL bold predictions for Week 16, let’s see how well I did or didn’t do in Week 15.
Spoiler alert: It wasn’t pretty.
1) On Thursday Night, the Tampa Bay Defense Could Hold Atlanta QB Kirk Cousins to Under 125 Passing Yards
I blew this one in spectacular fashion, as Cousins racked up 373 yards, 3 tuddies, and 26.9 fantasy points. Whiff. Alan’s Self-Imposed Grade: F-
2) 49ers QB Brock Purdy Might Top 32 Fantasy Points
Purdy had himself a fantasy game, but he couldn’t hit my mark, managing 26.2 points (QB3), Close, but no cigar. Alan’s Self-Imposed Grade: C+
3) Eagles QB Jalen Hurts Could Have a Bounceback Game for the Ages
A near-perfect passer rating of 154.9 might not be one for the ages, but it’s pretty darn good. Alan’s Self-Imposed Grade: A-
4) Bills QB Josh Allen Might Account for 6 Touchdowns
The reigning MVP threw for 3, and ran for none. That’s 50%, thus a failing grade. Alan’s Self-Imposed Grade: F
5) A Deep-Cut Dolphins WR Could Go Off
Not a good week for the Fins’ receivers, who were led by WR1 Jaylen Waddle’s 2.6 fantasy points. Alan’s Self-Imposed Grade: F
This, ladies and gents, gives me a GPA of 1.20, my third-worst of the season, effectively ending my dream of becoming the NFL’s 2025 valedictorian.
But I’m not one to let a garbage report card such as this let me down, so let’s get bold
NFL Bold Predictions, Week 16
Let’s see who might or (probably won’t) do some crazy statistical stuff on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.
1) The Packers Could Cough Up the Ball 4+ Times Against the Bears
The Chicago Bears and their surprising defense lead the league in turnovers (+20) by a relatively wide margin, 6 more than the second-ranked Texans. And seeking revenge for their Week 14, 28-21 heartbreaking loss to the Packers — not to mention revenge for everything that’s happened over the last three-ish decades between their interstate rivals — the Bears D will be, um, hunting Bear.
A plethora of takeaways will be no easy task for the Monsters of the Midway, as Packers QB Jordan Love has thrown just 6 picks, the third-fewest among regular starters. And their 7 fumbles ties them for, yep, third-fewest in the league.
But with the NFC North lead — and possibly the divisional title — on the line, things could get wonky at Soldier Field.
Packers QB Jordan Love vs. Bears PrizePicks Projection: 231.5 Passing Yards
2) The Bills Might Drop a Fortyburger on the Browns
This one might not be as bold as it seems upon first blush.
Last Sunday, the Browns gave up 31 points to the Bears.
Last Sunday, the Bills dropped 35 on the Pats.
So we’ve got a toasty-hot offense facing an ice-cold defense in a game that, for Buffalo, has “crucial” written all over it.
And yeah, I know that Browns DL Myles Garrett is staring at the all-time single-season sack record, but the Bills need this game, and Cleveland needs a high draft pick in 2026, so let’s sit back and enjoy Buffalo QB Josh Allen doing Josh Allen things.
Bills QB Josh Allen vs. Browns PrizePicks Projection: 217.5 Passing Yards
3) Saints QB Tyler Shough Might Discover His Inner Drew Brees
Earlier this season, I wrote that Saint Shough would be this season’s top rookie QB, ahead of Tennessee’s Cam Ward and the Giants’ Jaxson Dart. I nailed it on Ward — the 2025 No. 1 pick needs a whole lot of seasoning — and it’s close with Dart, who probably would’ve earned the top spot had he not lost his RB1 (Cam Skattebo) and WR1 (Malik Nabers) to injury.
But the Jints are hurting, and the Saints are healthy, so here we are.
Fantasy-wise over the last three games, the Louisville product has been legit, averaging 19.6 fantasy points, landing him at QB7 over that stretch. And facing a Jets team with less-than-nothing to play for and the 20th-ranked pass defense, we could see some old-school New Orleans Saints QB magic.
Saints QB Tyler Shough vs. Jets PrizePicks Projection: 215.5 Passing Yards
4) In Vikings vs. Giants, QBs J.J. McCarthy and Jaxson Dart Could Combine for 8+ Interceptions
I very much want to stop being mean to J.J. McCarthy.
He seems like a good dude, and his fiancee just gave birth to their adorable son, and he’s not too far removed from what could have been a career-ending (or at least career-altering) injury.
But he’s not very good at quarterbacking, and it’s part of my job to point out when somebody isn’t very good at quarterbacking, so here we are.
Now officially out of the playoff picture, the Vikings travel to Jersey to tangle with another team playing out the string. As noted in the Tyler Shough portion of our program, Dart has had himself a solid rookie year that’s been marred by injury — his own, as well as his teammates’ — which bodes for a better future than McCarthy’s.
All that said, neither of these teams look super-engaged (#EyeTest), and some bored O-lines could put McCarthy and Dart into a position where they’ll get picked by some bored D-backfields.
Giants QB Jaxson Dart vs. Vikings PrizePicks Projection: 197.5 Passing Yard
5) The Texans Defense Might Hold the Raiders’ Offense to Less Than 75 Total Yards
Nobody likes hearing about anybody else’s fantasy teams, but I’m writing this column, so you get to hear about mine. You’re welcome.
Last week — a week in which my fantasy postseason chances were hanging on by a thread — two of my alleged studs in RB Ashton Jeanty and TE Brock Bowers combined for a total of 7.0 fantasy points. If it weren’t for Trevor Lawrence and his 44.3 fantasy point outburst, I’d have been crying into my Chicago deep dish until next August.
Anyhoobs, the Raiders’ offense is terrible, and the Texans’ defense is literally the best in the biz, and the Raiders have nothing to play for, and the Texans have everything to play for, so it could be another brutal Sunday for the silver-and-black.
Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty vs. Texans PrizePicks Projection: 47.5 Rushing Yards
Will any of these boldies come to fruition? Who the heck knows, but one thing we do know is you can win real money on PrizePicks with your NFL predictions.
Just pick More or Less on at least two player projections and potentially win real cash with your picks every week.
And follow Playbook for the entire NFL season, where you'll always enjoy boldness galore.
