49ers at Vikings (+7½)
Kirk Cousins raised eyebrows last Sunday by giving partial credit for the Vikings’ victory in Chicago on their pregame locker-room blaring of the 1990s metal band mediocrities Creed. Minnesotans have not had so much collective embarrassment for a local figure since watching Jesse Ventura play governor.
Pick: 49ers by 3
Former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura pauses while speaking about his book “They Killed Our President” October 4, 2013 in Washington, DC. Ventura, who is considering a long-shot independent run for the White House, said he would immediately clear the intelligence leakers Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden if elected. Ventura, who served as governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003 and is an avid proponent of conspiracy theories, said it was “wonderful” for individuals within government to expose abuses. Ventura’s book “They Killed Our President,” alleges that the 1963 Kennedy assassination was a conspiracy in reaction to his efforts to reduce war. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Packers at Broncos (+1½)
A published report says former Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is being paid in excess of $1 million for his weekly appearances on Pat McAfee’s ESPN show. That sum is almost as comically ridiculous as the $85 million ESPN is paying Pat McAfee.
Pick: Packers by 7
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 06: Pat McAfee attends SiriusXM’s “Busted Open” celebrating 10th Anniversary In New York City on the eve of WrestleMania 35 on April 6, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Bills at Patriots (+8½)
ESPN analyst Rex Ryan took a shot at Bill Belichick’s Patriots after their latest loss by exclaiming “this team sucks!” The former Bills and Jets coach is quite an expert on sucking, particularly toes.
Pick: Bills by 14
BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JULY 26: Former NFL coach & ESPN analyst Rex Ryan of ‘ESPN’s Sunday’s NFL Countdown’ speaks onstage during the ESPN portion of the 2017 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 26, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Chargers at Chiefs (-5½)
Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce and his new pal, Taylor Swift, made a cameo appearance on last week’s episode of “Saturday Night Live.” It was an electric moment for the dozen or so folks that still regularly watch “Saturday Night Live.”
Pick: Chiefs by 3
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 24: Donna Kelce and Taylor Swift are seen during the first half of a game between the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
Lions at Ravens (-3½)
Baltimore won last week in London thanks to Justin Tucker making six field goals to beat Tennessee. British observers noted the kicker’s heroics produced the loudest cheers heard in England since Harry and Meghan fled to America.
Pick: Lions by 3
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pose for pictures after visiting the observatory in One World Trade in New York, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex got a hawk’s-eye view of New York City with a visit to the rebuilt World Trade Center’s signature tower. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Raiders at Bears (+3½)
Former Raiders backup running back Rashad Jennings had egg on his face on “Wheel of Fortune” when he was unable to solve a puzzle missing only one letter. It goes to show that there was something Jennings was even less skilled at than playing football.
Pick: Raiders by 7
Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin, left, hands off to running back Rashad Jennings during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Dolphins at Eagles (-1½)
New York coach Robert Saleh, in a bragging mood after the upset of the unbeaten Eagles, claimed his Jets have embarrassed every QB they have faced. Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts would no doubt concur, as there’s nothing on Earth more embarrassing than losing to the New York Jets.
Pick: Eagles by 3
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 15: Breece Hall #20 of the New York Jets celebrates a touchdown during the fourth quarter in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 15, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Commanders at Giants (+1½)
New York frittered away its chance at a huge Sunday night upset in Buffalo by blowing goal-line scoring chances at the end of each half. Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor obviously struggled because he’s not used to having the ball in his hands near the goal line.
Pick: Commanders by 3
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: Tyrod Taylor #2 of the New York Giants recovers his own fumble in the third quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Browns at Colts (+2½):
Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay caused a stir by passing out cash at the Colts’ hotel before their blowout loss in Jacksonville. The randy Irsay had plenty of cash to spread, we’re guessing, because he bet on the Jaguars and laid the 3½ points.
Pick: Browns by 3
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Jim Irsay (2nd L) and Stephen Stills attend the Reception Celebrating the 100th Birthday Of Late Literary Pioneer Jack Kerouac hosted by Owner/CEO Of The Indianapolis Colts Jim Irsay at The Beverly Hills Hotel on March 12, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JC Olivera/Getty Images)
Steelers at Rams (-3½)
Los Angeles will be going deep into its bench without its top two injured running backs, Kyren Williams and Ronnie Rivers. The Rams might have almost as much trouble running the ball upfield than Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris.
Pick: Rams by 7
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 08: Kyle Hamilton #14 of the Baltimore Ravens and Patrick Queen #6 of the Baltimore Ravens tackle Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
OTHER GAMES
Falcons at Buccaneers (-2½):
Pick: Falcons by 3
Cardinals at Seahawks (-7½):
Pick: Seahawks by 13
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 15: Jack Campbell #46 of the Detroit Lions celebrates an interception during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
BYE WEEK
Panthers, Bengals, Cowboys, Texans, Jets, Titans
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 16: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys sacks Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium on October 16, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
RECORD
Week 6
9-6 straight up
7-8 vs. spread
Season
57-36 straight up (.613)
49-44 vs. spread (.527)
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
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