Our panel of NFL experts predicts Week 16's biggest upsets, picks a winner in the NFC East, looks at the team that needs the biggest overhaul and more.
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What's your top upset pick for Week 16?
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: Raiders (+6.5) over Chargers. I go back to Oakland's Week 10 win over L.A. Just follow the same script. The Raiders took away the in-breaking routes that Philip Rivers wants to throw, and Jon Gruden's offense paired an efficient passing attack with Josh Jacobs on the ground.
Mike Clay, NFL writer: Buccaneers (+3) over Texans. The Texans pulled off an impressive win in Tennessee on Sunday, but the Buccaneers have somewhat quietly won four consecutive games, as well as five of their past six. Tampa Bay has built an offensive juggernaut, scoring at least 28 points in four consecutive games and in six of its past seven outings. This has the makings of a potential shootout, and the Buccaneers have the ammunition to come out on top at home.
Dan Graziano, national NFL writer: Titans (+2.5) over Saints. I was surprised the Titans didn't hold off the Texans on Sunday, but I still think they're on a nice roll. I saw them beat Kansas City at home, and the past couple of Saints games I've covered haven't convinced me they're the bully I thought they'd be at this point in the year. Tennessee needs this game worse than New Orleans does, and I think the Titans rise to the occasion and maybe force an AFC South title game in Week 17.
Jeremy Fowler, national NFL writer: Packers (+4.5) over Vikings. The Packers are motivated to clinch the NFC North, and Monday Night Football is just on time for Aaron Rodgers, who has a ridiculous 1,681 yards, 14 touchdowns and one interception in his past five MNF games, all wins. Minnesota is probably the more complete team, but if Green Bay gets consistent pressure on Kirk Cousins, the uneven Packers will put together a complete game.
Field Yates, NFL analyst: Giants (+2.5) over Redskins. I know, this game likely amounts to little more than draft seeding, but put that aside for a second. The Giants could be once again turning to Eli Manning under center, which I expect to continue to carry the emotional charge we saw in Week 15, when it clearly provided a lift in their victory.
Cowboys-Eagles on Sunday will (essentially) decide the NFC East. Who are you taking?
Bowen: Cowboys. I'll take Dak Prescott versus the Eagles' secondary. Dallas has the matchups in this one outside of the numbers. Whether we are looking at schemed-up throws for Prescott or simply one-on-one shots, the Cowboys can target an Eagles secondary that has struggled to limit big plays.
Clay: Cowboys. As a Pennsylvania native and lifelong Eagles fan? The Eagles. As an objective NFL observer? The Cowboys. Dallas got back on track with a dominant effort against the Rams on Sunday, whereas the Eagles' offense has been derailed by injuries and the defense still has no answers for perimeter receivers (which, of course, is a strength for Dallas with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup). Home-field advantage could prove to be the difference here, but the Cowboys, who beat the Eagles 37-10 in Week 7, are the better team right now.
Graziano: Cowboys. I get that they're both terrible underachievers. But the Cowboys get so much more grief, and everything you can say about their performance this year can also be said about the Eagles' performance this year. They play down to their competition. They don't beat good teams. The offense isn't in sync. The defense is leaky. These are two peas in a pod, except that the Cowboys are the more talented and healthier team at this point in the year. I recognize the intestinal fortitude the Eagles showed in coming back to barely beat the two worst teams in the NFC the past two weeks. But I don't think they have enough to hang with the Cowboys if ... IF, IF, IF the Cowboys play the way they're supposed to play.
Fowler: Eagles. Dallas' blowout of the Rams masks the fact the Cowboys have been putting up duds in big games all year, serving as a where-has-this-been indictment that can cost players and coaches jobs. The Eagles are at home, Carson Wentz has found his fastball the past six quarters, and Philadelphia is smartly utilizing the running backs in the passing game to sustain drives and let a stout defensive line do the rest.
Yates: Cowboys. And I admit to being a flip-flopper on this, as I recently thought Philly would win the division, describing my decision as a coin flip in which the Eagles' side landed upward. Week 15 was a perhaps too-late reminder -- but a reminder all the same -- that the best version of the Cowboys team is the class of the NFC East, with an excellent offense charged by Ezekiel Elliott and the line that did not allow a single sack to a Rams defense that had been scorching in generating pressure of late.
Which team is in the biggest need of an on-field overhaul for 2020?
Bowen: Bengals. They probably will draft a QB at No. 1. But that's just the start of the makeover for a team that needs upgrades across the board, from the O-line to all three levels of the defense.
Clay: Dolphins. I'm taking the layup. Miami has been better after a historically poor start to the season, but this roster remains in very rough shape for the long term. There is no long-term answer at quarterback, which is the biggest issue, but the Dolphins also need to be in the market for a lead back, wide receiver depth, multiple offensive line starters, edge rushers, off-ball linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties, to name a few. Luckily, they have a ton of cap space and draft picks at their disposal.
Graziano: Bengals. They are steaming toward the No. 1 overall pick and probably need to use it on a franchise quarterback. Joe Burrow might be a good start, but the Bengals still will need to build an offensive line in front of him, restock their defense and maybe address the wide receiver position if A.J. Green leaves. There are more talent-deficient teams out there, including the Giants and Washington, but those teams just drafted quarterbacks and are a year ahead in terms of building around them. And Miami might be an obvious answer, but because they already began the tear-down last offseason, we'll say Cincinnati here because they still have to get theirs started.
Fowler: Dolphins. While the Bengals are rebuilding almost by accident, the Dolphins have been painfully intentional with their overhaul. There's not one position on Miami's depth chart where you say, 'Wow, that team is set there for the next few years.' The Dolphins could have 14 draft picks in 2020 after compensatory picks, and they will need every one, especially to bolster their offensive and defensive lines and find the franchise quarterback.
Yates: Jaguars. I understand that the question asked for an on-field overhaul, but the on-field product is a reflection of those who architect it. A once-feared defense has lost its teeth, while there is going to be some sort of decision made on the quarterback position this offseason: Keep Nick Foles or try to trade him? If kept, can you justify that financial commitment if he is the backup? Colleague Adam Schefter has already reported that significant organizational change could be on the horizon after the season, which will have a dramatic impact on what happens on the field.
So long, 2019 fantasy football season. Let's look ahead: Who should be the No. 1 pick in PPR leagues for the 2020 season?
Bowen: Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey. The Panthers will have a new coaching staff -- and possibly a new quarterback -- next season, but McCaffrey's versatile traits fit in any NFL scheme. Closing in on 2,000 total yards this year, with over 80 receptions in each of his first three pro seasons, McCaffrey should be the pick at No. 1.
Clay: McCaffrey. The best player in fantasy leads all running backs in snaps, touches, scrimmage yards, total touchdowns, carries inside the opponent's 5-yard line, routes, targets and receptions. That seems good. McCaffrey will struggle to repeat a dominant 2019 campaign, but he won't need to in order to warrant the first overall pick in fantasy drafts. He'll be only 24 years old and will undoubtedly remain the centerpiece of Carolina's offense.
Graziano: Saquon Barkley. I'm not giving up yet on the guy almost everybody took No. 1 overall this year, just because he has had an injury-ravaged season on a bad team. The Giants will get better at some point, and no matter who's coaching them next year, Barkley has the skill set to be the guy through whom the offense runs while Daniel Jones continues to develop.
Fowler: Lamar Jackson. Dude is having one of the best quarterback performances we've seen, and as dominant as McCaffrey is, putting up back-to-back monster statistical seasons is not easy for running backs. Jackson is on pace for 46 total touchdowns this season and has plenty to add to 2020 as defenses scramble to figure him out. So let's break quarterback drafting trends and go for the slam dunk.
Yates: McCaffrey. You been watching this season?
Who is the NFL's best tight end right now, and why?
Bowen: George Kittle, 49ers. The route running is clean; so is the ability after the catch. 4.52 speed is there with the physical style to drag DBs around in the open field. And the blocking jumps. Kittle finishes in the running game. Go Hawkeyes.
Clay: Kittle. As good of a player as Travis Kelce is, Kittle has developed into a dominant two-way force. He's an outstanding run-blocker and, as a receiver, he has picked up in 2019 where he left off last season when he set the all-time tight end receiving yardage record. Kittle's prominence was on full display in Week 15, when he had more targets (17), receptions (13) and receiving yards (134) than the entire rest of the 49ers' team combined.
Graziano: Kittle. Literally dominates games with his run blocking, and by the way had 13 catches for 134 yards on Sunday. Made the play of the 49ers' season in New Orleans two Sundays ago. There's just nobody right now doing every aspect of the tight end job as well as Kittle is. He's the most valuable player the 49ers have.
Fowler: Kittle. Rarely can you say the best player on a really good team is a tight end, but Kittle is just that. Kelce's No. 1-receiver traits make this really close, but Kittle's ability to drag defenders 10 yards -- with or without the ball -- prevails. He's the catalyst for the 49ers' offense.
Yates: Kittle. I'm not sure whether Kittle is better as a receiver or as a blocker, which tells you precisely what you need to know. He's phenomenal after the catch, explosive down the field and powerful in all aspects. As a blocker, he's a soul-snatcher, laying waste to defenders in a way that shows you how much he cares for that part of his craft. He's amazing.