Three weeks remain in the 2022 NFL season. Hopefully, you’re as excited about Week 16 as you are about the long holiday weekend.
We know Colin Cowherd is, thanks to a full lineup of games on both Saturday and Sunday. Of those games, Cowherd chooses five each week as his Blazin’ 5 picks, which come out every Friday at 1 p.m. ET on his show, The Herd.
For each of Cowherd’s picks, he provides a full analysis of the game and why he likes his side. Keep reading to check out the picks and analyses, as well as additional choices from the Barstool Sports Advisors, ESPN’s Erin Dolan and TheLines.com’s Eli Hershkovich.
Once you’ve got your picks, head on over to PA online sportsbooks to find the best lines available.
Colin Cowherd’s Blazin’ 5 record heating up
Cowherd had a 4-0-1 last week, bringing him 19 games above .500 for the year. He’s also up to a 161-155-10 record since 2019, thanks to a strong showing in recent weeks.
- 2022: 38-29-3
- 2021: 37-43-2
- 2020: 40-41-2
- 2019: 46-42-3
Week 15 Wins:
- Indianapolis Colts (+3.5) at Minnesota Vikings (Final Score: Vikings 39, Colts 36)
- Chicago Bears (+9) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Final Score: Eagles 25, Bears 20)
- Las Vegas Raiders (-1.5) vs. New England Patriots (Final Score: Raiders 30, Patriots 24)
- Green Bay Packers (-7) vs. Los Angeles Rams (Final Score: Packers 24, Rams 12)
Week 15 Push:
- Tennessee Titans (+3) at Los Angeles Chargers (Final Score: Chargers 17, Titans 14)
Cowherd Week 16 picks from The Herd
“It’s a fun weekend. It’s a different weekend. So, Saturday, we have a bunch of NFL games. And then Sunday, we have a bunch of NFL games. So, it’s gonna be a very, very unique weekend. Off a little bit of a heater, here’s my picks!”
(Friday NFL lines from FanDuel Sportsbook PA.)
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers (+2.5)
Cowherd pick: Panthers
Final score prediction: Panthers 30, Lions 24
Cowherd said:
“I’m taking the Panthers at home +2.5. They’re 5-2 this year when they rush for over 100 yards. They’re 0-7 when they don’t, and I don’t like the Lions’ defense against the run on the road. Here’s the other thing. Jared Goff home and road splits, you gotta notice. Not the same guy away from home. Eighty-two passer rating; twice as many giveaways as touchdowns.
“This defense will give Carolina and Sam Darnold opportunities. Carolina’s at home for the holidays, plus the points. I’m gonna take them with an upset win, 30-24 Panthers. Lions cool off a little bit.”
Final Score: Panthers 37, Lions 23
Did Colin Cowherd Win? Yes
Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots (+3)
Cowherd pick: Patriots
Final score prediction: Patriots 24, Bengals 23
Cowherd said:
“How about this for an upset? New England +3 is the side. Off a humiliating loss, perhaps the most of Belichick or Matt Patricia’s career. Remember, this team has scored 99 points off of turnovers. Most in the league.
“The Patriots’ defense, 11 sacks over the last three games. They’re starting to get consistent pressure, and their defense overall has been top three-to-five all year.
“The Bengals trailed the Bucs 7-0 until Tampa imploded. They’re on a six-game winning streak, but only one against a winning team. Cold, super windy, will limit the vertical passing game. Patriots in an ugly game where they control the line of scrimmage, 24-23 upset.”
Final Score: Bengals 22, Patriots 18
Did Colin Cowherd Win? No
Washington Commanders (+6.5) at San Francisco 49ers
Cowherd pick: Commanders
Final score prediction: 49ers 26, Commanders 23
Cowherd said:
“If you can buy half a point or a point, I would. But I’m gonna take the Commanders at +6.5. They averaged 6.7 yards per play last weekend against a good Giants defense. The last five road games, 4-0-1. Strangely, they play better on the road. And since Week 5, this is the league’s best defense, and Chase Young returns.
“The Niners, a little beat up. Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel [and] their top corner. Travarius Ward’s coming off a concoussion. I think the Niners win, but Washington’s defense, with Chase Young, is gonna get pressure on Brock Purdy. There’s now some tape on him; 26-23 Niners. It’s ugly. It’s close. Take the points.”
Final Score: 49ers 37, Commanders 20
Did Colin Cowherd Win? No
Las Vegas Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers (-2)
Cowherd pick: Steelers
Final score prediction: Steelers 27, Raiders 23
Cowherd said:
“Steelers -2 at home, to me, is the play. You know, they’ve won three of four. Their only loss was to the Ravens, close. And their defense, very strong. The story here is also beyond the defense: Kenny Pickett, concussion protocol, will return. He has not thrown an interception in his last five starts. He’s starting to get it, and he’s 3-1 in his last four healthy starts.
“The Raiders’ defense does not force you into turnovers at all, and the Steelers’ defense does. In fact, the Raiders’ defense is the only team allowing 100-plus passer ratings to quarterbacks all year. If it was three, maybe I pass. But only -2, Pittsburgh’s gonna win it. I think it’s close, 27-23.”
Final Score: Steelers 13, Raiders 10
Did Colin Cowherd Win? Yes
Green Bay Packers at Miami Dolphins (-3.5)
Cowherd pick: Dolphins
Final score prediction: Dolphins 27, Packers 20
Cowherd said:
“All the wise guys love the Packers. I do not. I think Miami, coming home against a borderline playoff team, is going to thrive…Love how they played against Buffalo in lousy weather. They had 405 yards, almost 190 rushing. It’s their first home game since Week 12, and they’ve been 5-1 at home. Tua, 5-0 at home this year, with a passer rating of almost 109.
“Five of the six Packers wins this year, two have come against the Bears, one against the Rams, the Bucs and the Patriots. This is a high-powered offense and Green Bay’s not. Do you realize Aaron Rodgers has been held under 200 yards passing in two of his last three, and he’s gone 18 consecutive games under 300 yards passing?
“This team isn’t good enough to go on the road to beat a quality team, and I think Miami is. 27-20 Miami over Green Bay.”
Final Score: Packers 26, Dolphins 20
Did Colin Cowherd Win? No
Colin Cowherd weekly record: 2-3
Colin Cowherd 2022 Blazin’ 5 Overall Record: 40-32-3
NFL Week 16 expert picks roundup
Barstool Advisors ‘mortal locks’
The Barstool Sports Advisors cast of Stu Feiner, Dan ”Big Cat” Katz and Jerry “The Kid” Thornton make their “mortal locks” on Twitter before Sunday morning’s games. This week, they’ll announce these picks on Saturday morning, and we’ll update them after they go live.
Remember, mortal locks are never actual locks to win, and you should always bet responsibly. In Week 15, all three experts got crushed in this particular segment.
Week 16 mortal locks:
- Feiner: Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) vs. Las Vegas Raiders – Push
- Big Cat: New Orleans Saints (+3.5) at Cleveland Browns – Win
- Jerry The Kid: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Over 39) – Loss
Erin Dolan – ‘Dolan out winners’
Like the Barstool Sports advisors, ESPN’s Erin Dolan goes live before the weekend’s games kick off with her segment, “Dolan out winners.” Dolan’s followers on Twitter and YouTube can see her posts each week with insights and other analyses for game lines, player props and more.
In Week 15, Dolan made six bets and went 3-3.
Week 16 picks:
- Miles Sanders (Over 63.5 rushing yards) – Win
- Tom Brady (Over 26.5 completions) – Win
- Aaron Rodgers (Over 247.5 passing yards) – Loss
Eli Hershkovich
You need to be following Eli Hershkovich of TheLines.com if you aren’t already. After his third straight undefeated week, Hershkovich is now 43-24 for the year.
Hershkovich appeared to take off the holiday weekend, but we look forward to a strong return in Week 17.
Week 15 recap:
- Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers (Under 43.5) – Win
- Jacksonville Jaguars (+4.5) vs. Dallas Cowboys – Win
NFL Week 16 lines and best odds at PA online sportsbooks
Get the best odds for every NFL Week 16 game here:
Lead image credit: Rich Barnes/AP