WhatIfSports NFL Week 16 predictions: Cardinals trump Packers in potential playoff preview

Each Tuesday, WhatIfSports.com's NFL simulation engine generates predictions and box scores for every NFL game for the coming week. Our highly sophisticated algorithms simulate every play of every game to produce each team's likelihood to win. Each matchup is simulated 501 times.

To account for injuries and roster moves announced late in the week, we will be re-simulating games on Thursdays through the season.

Note: Our predictions use the latest available team and player information, while NFL SimMatchup includes all players that were or will be available at any point during the 2015 season so that theoretical and "what if" scenarios can be simulated.

Week 15 Review

Our NFL simulation engine got back on the right track in Week 15 by going 10-6 picking games straight up. Unfortunately, picking against the spread was a little more difficult, as the engine went just 3-10. That's the first time since Week 5 that the engine has been below .500 against the spread.

Nailed It: We predicted the Packers would beat the Raiders by an average score of 27-21. The actual final score? Packers 30, Raiders 20. 

Wide Right: In the Thursday night matchup, we had the Bucs beating the Rams by an average score of 26-22. Instead, the Rams ran to a 31-23 victory.

Track our 2015 performance or view our accuracy last season.

Week 16 Game to Watch

Green Bay at Arizona: Two of the league's best quarterbacks will go head-to-head in what could be a potential playoff matchup. Our NFL simulation engine has the Cardinals taking down the Packers 57.8 percent of the time by an average score of 25-22. 

Week 16 Upset Pick

Redskins (+3) over Eagles: With the Redskins clinging on to the division lead in the NFC East, this one will have big-time playoff implications. Although the Eagles will be at home, our NFL simulation engine likes Washington to pull off the upset 52.1 percent of the time. 

Fantasy Radar

Fantasy Start -- Kamar Aiken, BAL: The Ravens could be playing from behind in this one, which means Aiken could once again be a target monster. Our predictions have him ranked as a true WR1 this week, scoring 10.8 fantasy points.

Fantasy Sit -- Demaryius Thomas, DEN: Despite the fact he's coming off a big week, our engine isn't crazy about Denver's quarterback situation. Thomas is projected to score just 8.2 fantasy points this week. 

Fantasy Add -- Donald Brown, SD: With Melvin Gordon out, Brown could have some late-season fantasy relevance taking over as the potential lead back in San Diego. Our engine thinks he'll have a big game, scoring 12.9 fantasy points. 

For more fantasy football tips, view our Week 16 player projections.

For additional content, view our Week 16 NFL Power Rankings, NFL archive or sortable weekly NFL predictions.