Week 16 NFL picks against the spread: Favorite holidays, ranked

Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is not a fan of the holidays and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter doesn't seem to be either, or at least couldn't rank them off the top of his head, so let's take some time to rank them for Jim Bob and lend some empathy toward those who must work on these otherwise days of celebration.

6.  Labor Day

Why? Because it's the unofficial end of summer, yet extends your summer, and what better way to honor work by not working?

5.  Halloween

Why? It's fun to scare people, and pillow cases and eyes are bigger than stomachs. Inevitable tummy aches are why this isn't higher on the list.

4. Memorial Day

Why? It's a day to honor those who died in the armed forces, mostly done by taking the day off to grill, drink beer and get sunburnt.

3. Independence Day

Why? No, not the 1996 Will Smith movie, but the holiday commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, freeing what became our nation from the British Empire in 1776. What better way to celebrate than by fireworks, grilling, drinking beer and getting sunburnt!

2-1-0. Thanksgiving-Christmas-Happy New Year

Why? Good foooood! But more importantly these three together serve as the start, middle and end of a month-plus of holiday spirit, giving thanks for family and friends, and lots of time off (more when you're in school) to be able to enjoy time with them. Unfortunately, for athletes who travel all the time and must prepare for games to be played on and around these holidays, they may not get to enjoy them as much as others, so remember that when you're comfortably on your couch cussing out players/coaches and/or screaming for them to be benched/cut/fired (BUT SERIOUSLY, HAPPY TRAILS, JOSH SMITH).

Rank yours in the comments.

On to the picks:

RAIDERS (-5) over Chargers

Wrong.

EAGLES (-3) over Redskins

Wrong

Panthers (-7) over FALCONS

Cowboys (+6) over BILLS

LIONS (-9) over 49ers

Last home game for Megatron? First time these two teams have played at Ford Field since the Jim Harbaugh handshake game? Crazy. Lions win 27-17.

Texans (off) over TITANS

CHIEFS (-12.5) over Browns
DOLPHINS (off) over Colts
Patriots (-3) over JETS 
Bears (+3) over BUCCANEERS

Steelers (-10) over RAVENS
SAINTS (-3.5) over Jaguars
Packers (+4.5) over CARDINALS
SEAHAWKS (-13.5) over Rams
VIKINGS (-6) over Giants
Bengals (+3.5) over BRONCOS

LAST WEEK: 10-5

ALL-TIME: 658-567

SEASON:

Scriggl improves to .500 at 110-110.

Leave us your picks in the comments.