Week 16 NFC South predictions: Saints take over first place

The Saints and Buccaneers try to climb back above.500, the Panthers attempt to win for the second straight game, and the Falcons strive to hold onto their faint playoff aspirations.

These are our NFC South Week 16 predictions.

Los Angeles Rams (7-7) vs. New Orleans Saints (7-7):As Week 16 gets underway, both clubs are headed in the right direction. While the Saints have won two straight and outscored their opponents 80-24 over the last 11 quarters after falling down 21-0 early against the Lions in Week 14, the Rams come into Thursday night’s game having won four of their previous five.

Kyren Williams, the running back for the Rams, has been excellent throughout Los Angeles’ recent winning streak. Rams head coach Sean McVay was upset with himself after the team’s Week 15 victory over the Commanders, which finished in a field goal. The drive began with Williams not getting the ball in a goal-to-go scenario.

“The main thing that I was really pissed off about myself was the first-down call, especially after running back Kyren Williams had run the ball so impressively during the drive,” McVay said.

L.A.’s ability to run against the Saints defense, which has struggled at times this season to stop the run, will be a major factor.

New Orleans had one of its best games defending the run this season in Week 15 against the Giants, holding them to 60 rushing yards, their second-lowest total of the year.

The game might come down to which quarterback has the most success. While few would pick Saints quarterback Derek Carr over Matthew Stafford in a vacuum, New Orleans has a much better secondary that will limit Stafford enough for the Saints to pull off the upset.

PREDICTION: Saints, 23-20

Atlanta Falcons (6-8) vs. Indianapolis Colts (8-6):The Falcons, who should rely on their running game to support backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke as he takes over (for the second time) for Desmond Ridder, will put the Colts run defense to the test. Additionally, against a Colts defense that is tied for the third-most interceptions in the league (15), it would help avoid expensive interceptions. But Atlanta’s rush assault can only carry the ball so far.

In head coach Shane Steichen’s first season, Indianapolis’ offense has significantly improved; the Falcons need to pass the ball well to stay up. Despite Atlanta’s strong defense, there have been several slip-ups that have resulted in late-game collapses.

The Falcons are 1-7 when their opponent scores more than 20 points while the Colts average 24.6 points per game and have scored at least 20 points in 12 of their 14 games.

PREDICTION: Colts, 24-17

Green Bay Packers (6-8) at Carolina Panthers (2-12): It’s a shame that the Panthers have been so bad this season because their defense has played exceptionally well. Since the team’s bye in Week 7, Carolina has allowed an average of 253.8 yards per game. However, the offense has been dreadful during that span, averaging 11.8 points per game compared to 18.7 points during Weeks 1-6.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love has hit his stride of late, going 128-of-186 (68.8 percent) for 1,359 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception since Week 11. Carolina’s defense presents an excellent challenge, but as has been the case the majority of the season, it will be overshadowed by the offense’s shortcomings.

PREDICTION: Packers, 19-13

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7): The Jaguars and Bucs are nearly exact replicas of one another. Both sides have trouble running the ball, and they both have weaknesses in the secondary. Tampa may have an advantage at quarterback, depending on the health of Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence. While Baker Mayfield is coming off a spectacular day against the Packers, Lawrence is in the concussion protocol following his injury against Baltimore.

But even in the year of the backup quarterback, C.J. Beathard can still win even if Lawrence is sidelined. Josh Allen, the edge-rusher for the Jaguars, has recorded 13.5 sacks so far this season. He may disrupt Mayfield’s pass attempts to wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.

PREDICTION: Jaguars, 27-24

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