Welcome to “Mac’s Picks for Week 16”.
New York Jets (3-11) at New Orleans Saints (4-10)
Sunday 1p CBS
The demise of the New York Jets defense is bigger than just one person. While Steve Wilks reign-of-error ended this week — their problems go beyond coaching.
The Jets talent took a major hit when they traded Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the deadline. Former Pro-Bowler Jermaine Johnson has not yet regained his 2023 form following Achilles surgery. Former top-pick Will McDonald has had long stretches of ineffectiveness —garnering 6 of his 7 sacks in just two games. Plus, the Jets have set an NFL record by not recording a single interception in their first 14 games.
When Aaron Glenn looks across the field this week, he’ll see something else his defense is missing. Veteran leadership. 36-year-old LB Demario Davis is still going strong for the New Orleans Saints with 123 tackles in his 14th season. While the Jets defense is young and will be getting younger with their upcoming bounty of draft picks, they need to find their own Davis to finally replace CJ Mosley who retired in the offseason.
Could a reunion with Davis be in the cards? His contract is up at the end of the year, and he’s expressed a desire to keep playing. Plus, he has a fan in Glenn, a former Saints assistant coach.
“He is probably one of the best leaders that I’ve ever been around,” Glenn said. “Emotionally, man, there are a number of things I can say about that player because of how he carries himself. He’s a man of faith. I think he’s 37 years old playing that position, and you hardly ever see that. So, nothing but respect for him. I love the player, and I love what he brings to the table.”
New Orleans Saints 24 New York Jets 20
Mac’s Pick — Jets (+6 ½)
Minnesota Vikings (6-8) at New York Giants (2-12)
Sunday 1p FOX
By kickoff on Sunday, it will have been 73 days since the New York Giants last won a football game. Interim head coach Mike Kafka is 0-4, essentially removing himself from contention for the permanent position. Therefore, there’s only two things left for Giants fans to root for. Keeping Jaxson Dart healthy and earning the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
IF the Giants end up with the first pick, they will be rooting hard for Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Oregon’s Donte Moore to go back to school. That would make the Oregon’s Heisman Trophy-winning Fernando Mendoza even more desirable for the five teams in the Top 10 looking for a new franchise QB — Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and the Los Angeles Rams. The 2026 NFL Draft Order from Tankathon.
Minnesota Vikings 27 New York Giants 17
Mac’s Pick — Vikings (-2 ½)
MAC’S PICKS SEASON RECORD
Versus the point spread: 9-19
On the moneyline: 15-13
Bonus picks: 1-1
MAC’S PICKS DISCLAIMER
Mac’s Picks is written for entertainment purposes only. While “Mac” comes from gambling lineage, he knows he can’t actually predict the future. Therefore, use this information at your own risk.
ICYMI “The RantBack Digital Mailbag”