Texans at Vikings (+2½)
The unbeaten Vikings face another tough challenge in Houston. The Texans have built a Super Bowl contender the old fashioned way: By sucking for several years and praying that Carolina drafted Bryce Young.
Pick: Texans by 3
Stefon Diggs #1 of the Houston Texans dives with the ball against Tyrique Stevenson #29 of the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at NRG Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Eagles at Saints (-2½)
Saquon Barkley stars in a new ad for Applebees in which he runs a plate of boneless wings out to some hungry customers. Viewers might not immediately recognize the Eagles‘ RB because he doesn’t drop the wings.
Pick: Saints by 3
Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against Kaden Elliss #55 of the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Chiefs at Falcons (+3½)
Former Viking Kirk Cousins led a last-minute comeback win Monday night in Philadelphia. It was a great relief considering that, at the QB’s current pace, the Falcons are paying him more than $5 million per win.
Pick: Chiefs by 7
Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts to an incomplete pass for a two point conversion against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Panthers at Raiders (-5½)
Carolina QB Bryce Young has been benched in favor of ancient Andy Dalton. While the move raised eyebrows, it could be the franchise’s best move since turning down the ownership bid of Diddy.
Pick: Raiders by 11
Quarterback Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers walks off the field at halftime of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Dolphins at Seahawks (-5½)
Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa is out indefinitely after suffering his latest concussion. He’s being urged by some Dolphins fans to ignore risk and return, though that’s mostly folks who are already suffering from brain impairment.
Pick: Seahawks by 7
Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins embraces Tua Tagovailoa #1 after leaving the game with an injury during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Chargers at Steelers (-2½)
Onetime capable QB Russell Wilson got a game ball Sunday despite not setting foot on the field in Denver. Justin Fields and the Steelers won, in large part, because of Wilson never setting foot on the field.
Pick: Steelers by 7
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) before an NFL football game against the Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Denver .(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Ravens at Cowboys (even)
John Harbaugh’s Ravens blew a late 10-point lead Sunday and lost to the unremarkable Raiders. While it was bad for Baltimore, it was ruinous for most of the survivor pool survivors who didn’t take the Bengals over New England in Week 1.
Pick: Ravens by 7
Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with the VInce Lombardi Championship trophy after the Ravens won 34-31 against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Feb. 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Commanders at Bengals (-7½)
This matchup will preempt programming on ABC on a rare Monday night with two NFL games. This is especially disappointing for those viewers hoping to turn into the latest episode of The Incontinent Bachelor.
Pick: Bengals by 6
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 16: Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks at his hand after throwing a pass in front of Odafe Oweh #99 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on November 16, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Giants at Browns (-6½)
An asteroid is passing close to Earth this week. While a direct strike on our planet could conceivably be the death knell for all humanity, it would spare us all from any further contact with the 2024 Giants.
Pick: Browns by 8
Frankie Luvu #4 of the Washington Commanders tackles Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at Northwest Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Packers at Titans (-2½)
Green Bay quarterback Malik Willis admitted that he decided not to make a particular pass last Sunday because his center had thrown up on the football. That’s newsworthy because most upchucking at Lambeau Field is usually limited to everyplace else in the neighborhood except the field.
Pick: Titans by 3
Malik Willis #2 of the Green Bay Packers looks to pass during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field on Sept. 15, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Colts 16-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Other games
Bears at Colts (-1½):
Pick: Bears by 3
Broncos at Buccaneers (-6½):
Pick: Buccaneers by 7
Jaguars at Bills (-5½)
Pick: Bills by 7
49ers at Rams (+6½):
Pick: 49ers by 17
Lions at Cardinals (+2½)
Pick: Cardinals by 3
Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Arizona Cardinals high fives mascot ‘Big Red’ after scoring a 60-yard touchdown reception against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 41-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Record
Week 2
8-8 straight up
7-9 vs. spread
Season
20-12 straight up
17-15 vs. spread
All-time (2003-24)
3651-2032-14 straight up (.643)
2777-2776-144 vs spread (.500)
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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