“Pick ‘Em or Kick ‘Em”™: FGT VS. Urban Sports Scene 2023 Week 16 NFL Picks

December 21, 2023

By the Football Garbage Time Staff

If you followed last year, you won over 60% of your picks, and we aim to do even better this year.

And if you’ve been following us, you know that we here at Football Garbage Time have gone head-to-head against Wally, Will and Ray at Urban Sports Scene on our NFL Picks for the last 6 seasons. Why? Because they’re awesome competitors, they KNOW their sports, and, heck, they’re just good guys! This year we’ll have their picks up right HERE, so keep it tuned in, to both us and them, because we’ll be picking all season all long.

Without further to do, here we go:

Week 16 Games

Ha Kung Wong’s Picks

Ha Kung’s Thoughts:

After a 64.7% record two seasons ago, I ended last season 63.3% (178-103). So that’s eight years in a row with over a 60% pick rate. I also ended up 16-4 for Locks of Week (80%) and 8-12 for Upsets of the Week (40%) which is also eight years in a row of Locks being over 70%. I was 10-6 in Week 15 making me 140-84 (62.5%) overall for the season. I hit my Lock of the Week (49ers) but missed my Upset of the Week (Cowboys), meaning I’m 12-3 (80.0%) for Locks and 6-9 (40%) for Upsets so far.

Let’s get to that Lock (for Survivor Leagues) and Upset for Week 16…

Lock of the Week ➡ Buffalo Bills (-12.0) over Los Angeles Chargers

The Bills are on the rise with wins over the Chiefs and Cowboys, narrowly missing out on beating the Eagles 3 weeks ago. The Chargers are going in the exact opposite direction after losing Justin Herbert, getting stomped by the Raiders and then getting their head coach and GM fired. They’ll be out there again without Keenan Allen and with an underwhelming Easton Stick under center backed up by a all-but-done Austin Ekeler. Don’t overthink it. Lock it in.

Upset of the Week ➡ Indianapolis Colts (+1.0) over Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are an out and out disaster, coming off a loss against the previously one-win Carolina Panthers. And for some reason, they keep putting one of their best players, Bijan Robinson, on the bench. Now they’re making another QB change back to Taylor Heinicke, who wasn’t the answer before and surely won’t be the answer now. The Falcons are currently tied for the 6th least points per game in the NFL (18.4), and they get to face a Colts defense that has the 2nd most takeaways (24) this season. The Colts haven’t been good on offense, but they’ve been good enough and get their star RB Jonathan Taylor back this week, so I like the potential for an upset here.

Joanne Kong’s Picks

Scott King’s Picks

Scott’s Thoughts:

We’re closing in on the playoffs. Teams are being eliminated and locking up. We’re not to the point where teams are resting but it’s getting close. Lions over Vikings for the division. Let’s gooooooo.

Wole’s Picks

Wole’s Thoughts:

Check out Wole’s thoughts on his picks in the recent Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

Ray’s Picks

Coming Soon!

Ray’s Thoughts:

Check out Ray’s thoughts on his picks in the most recent Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

Will’s Picks

Coming Soon!

Will’s Thoughts:

Check out Will’s thoughts on his picks in the most recent Urban Sports Scene Podcast!

George’s Picks

George’s Thoughts:

The whole group bounced back this week and I will start Indianapolis because Atlanta has gone back to Taylor Heinicke. And anytime he’s the QB I have to take the other side plus Arthur Smith is awful and should be fired.

Carolina finally won last week and like London buses, you wait forever for one and two come back-to-back. Well that’s what will happen for the Panthers who will upset faltering Green Bay leading to questions about whether the problem is Jordan Love or Matt LaFleur.

And operating get Washington a top 2 pick will go real well this week. Panthers win, Commanders will fall to the Jets under a hailstorm of sacks and turnovers caused by the Jet defense. And the big one. Arizona will upset Chicago.