Week 16 NFL Preview: The Big Three

A look, now, at the three biggest games in the penultimate weekend of the 2009 NFL season. All NFL football betting lines come courtesy Sports Interaction’s online sportsbook:

Baltimore Ravens (8-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
Steelers -2.5, Over/Under 42.0

So many great storylines heading into this one. First, and most obvious, it’s a new chapter in the Steelers-Ravens rivalry, one that was ranked No.2  in Sports Illustrated’s list of the “Top 10 New NFL Rivalries.”

Aside from the grudge match implications, there’s also the battle between two of the hottest QBs in football. Baltimore’s Joe Flacco is coming off a career-best performance against Chicago. Last weekend, Flacco threw for four TDs (career high) and finished with a 135.6 passer rating (also a career high), confirming what many thought about the Ravens early this season — that with Flacco and RB Ray Rice on offense, they have one of the most explosive young units in the game.

But on the other side of the ball, there’s an equally impressive gunslinger. Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger re-wrote the record books last Sunday against Green Bay. His 503-yard, three-TD, no-interception effort put him in some elite company; Big Ben became one of just three QBs in NFL history to throw for over 500, score three TDs and not get intercepted in a single game. The other two are enshrined in Canton — Y.A. Tittle and Warren Moon — so kudos to Big Ben for getting that done.

In short, this game promises to be a beauty with lots of big plays, bit hits and big playoff implications. Given that the Steelers are the more desperate team and haven’t lost at home to the Ravens since 2006, it’s hard not to like them.

San Diego Chargers (11-3) at Tennessee Titans (7-7)
Titans -3.0, Over/Under 47.0

Merry Christmas! The NFL made the bold move of scheduling a Friday night affair this season to captivate turkey-bloated audiences on Christmas night. And the league couldn’t have asked for a more tantalizing matchup, given the breakout campaign of Tennessee RB Chris Johnson and the nine-game winning streak that San Diego is riding.

Even thought Johnson and the Titans are white-hot, it’s hard to like them minus the three points on Friday, especially with starting LBs Keith Bulluck and David Thornton out for the season. Ride the Chargers here, as they need this win to clinch the No. 2 spot in the AFC and that all important first-round bye.

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-7) at New England Patriots (9-5)
New England -7.5, Over/Under 44.0

Simple formula here: Jacksonville needs a win or the season is over. New England needs a win to clinch the AFC East. So, plenty to play for. One player in particular will see this battle as something more, though: New England RB Fred Taylor, the leading rusher in Jacksonville franchise history, returned to practice this week and should play against his old club. And, if Freddy’s memory is still sharp, he’ll remember that Jacksonville has traditionally struggled with the Pats. The Jags haven’t beaten New England since December of 2003.