Fansided

NFL Week 16 2021: 3 teams on upset alert this weekend

By Mike Phillips

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 18: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks on during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 18: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks on during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 18: Brandon Bolden #25 of the New England Patriots carries the ball as Xavier Rhodes #27 of the Indianapolis Colts defends during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 18, 2021, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 18: Brandon Bolden #25 of the New England Patriots carries the ball as Xavier Rhodes #27 of the Indianapolis Colts defends during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 18, 2021, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. NFL teams on upset alert in Week 16 – New England Patriots

The return of the New England Patriots to NFL dynasty status took a hit on Saturday with a bad loss in Indianapolis against the Colts. Jonathan Taylor shredded the New England defense, rushing for 170 yards and the backbreaking touchdown to help the Colts snap the Patriots’ six-game winning streak.

The contest also saw the Patriots make some uncharacteristic mistakes by committing eight penalties and having a punt blocked that led directly to an Indianapolis touchdown. Mac Jones also looked like a rookie in this game, tossing two critical interceptions as he was unable to elevate New England past its litany of issues to win this game.

The end result sets up a matchup that could decide the AFC East title on Sunday at Gillette Stadium as the Buffalo Bills come to town. FanDuel has set the Patriots as 2.5-point favorites, perhaps remembering how New England ran all over Buffalo in Week 13 on a day where Jones was only asked to throw three times into howling winds.

The forecast should be more normal on Sunday, which will help Buffalo’s passing attack be more productive than it was in their last matchup. Bill Belichick will have the Patriots ready to play this game but if some of the mistakes from the Colts’ loss re-surface here it could cost New England a home playoff game.

Home/NFL