Bleacher Report's Expert Consensus Week 16 NFL Picks

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Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5-1) at New Orleans Saints (12-2)

The Pittsburgh Steelers might have saved their season with a Week 15 home victory over the Patriots, but they face an entirely different challenge with a Week 16 trip to the Superdome. The New Orleans Saints have won their last four games at home by at least 10 points each, and our experts unanimously agree that they'll win big in order to clinch the NFC's No. 1 seed.

"Selections don't have to be complicated," Sobleski said. "The Saints are a better team at home, and the Steelers tend to struggle on the road. Could it really be that simple? Yes. New Orleans has scored 31 or more points in all but one home game this season. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has lost its last two road contests to the Broncos and the hapless Oakland Raiders. Plus, it'll be difficult for the Steelers to maintain the same level of intensity they had this past Sunday against the Patriots."

While Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels performed well in place of James Conner against the Pats, he struggled on the road against the Raiders a week earlier. Now it looks as though the Steelers will again be without Conner in a matchup with the NFL's top-rated run defense.

In fact, the Saints defense has been the league's best in many key areas since Week 10, including points per game allowed and takeaways.

This feels like a bounce-back game for both teams, and it's surprising the Steelers aren't getting a touchdown or more.

Predictions

Davenport: New Orleans (-5.5)
Gagnon: New Orleans (-5.5)
Sobleski: New Orleans (-5.5)
Consensus: New Orleans (-5.5)

Score Prediction: New Orleans 31, Pittsburgh 20

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