NFL Week 16 Predictions 2021: Best Upset Picks, Straight Up Winners Include Ravens, Washington

This past week’s NFL schedule featured a couple of major upsets with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals both losing outright as double-digit favorites. Week 16 presents the chance for a few more notable underdogs to win their games straight up.

Here are the best upset picks for Week 16 for the 2021 season. Moneyline odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Washington Football Team (+385) at Dallas Cowboys

Washington probably won’t beat Dallas, but there is certainly a chance that it can pull off the upset. The Football Team is desperate for a win, while the Cowboys have the NFC East title all but wrapped up.

Dallas beat Washington 27-20 two weeks ago in a game that wasn’t decided until the final minutes. Four turnovers, including a fumble that the Cowboys returned for a touchdown, ultimately cost Washington the game. If Washington can hold onto the football, its defense might give it a chance to remain competitive for 60 minutes.

Dak Prescott had 211 passing yards, two interceptions and a 58.8 passer rating against Washington, continuing his lackluster play. The quarterback has posted a triple-digit passer rating just once in his last five starts. Washington should have quarterback Taylor Heinicke and several other key players back off the COVID-19/reserve list.

Baltimore Ravens (+118) at Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals beat the Ravens 41-17 in this first meeting of AFC North rivals. There are a few reasons to believe the second matchup will go a lot differently.

That first meeting was close until Ja’Marr Chase’s 82-yard touchdown reception allowed Cincinnati to start to pull away. The Bengals had three touchdowns of more than 45 yards, something they are unlikely to repeat Sunday. Chase has only averaged 40.6 yards in the last seven games. In spite of their injury-ravaged secondary, the Bengals gave up fewer than 25 points in five straight games before facing MVP favorite Aaron Rodgers in Week 15.

The AFC North has been unpredictable with the betting underdogs going 5-3 straight up in divisional games. During the Ravens’ three-game losing streak, they’ve been defeated by five total points. This game is basically a toss-up, so the odds make Baltimore a strong bet.