Cardinals at Vikings (-3½)
The Vikings managed to win last Sunday in Chicago despite blowing an 11-point lead in the final 22 seconds of regulation time. With a three-game edge now in the NFC wild-card race, their appearing in the playoffs in early January is almost as predictable as the upcoming Hunter Biden pardon.
Pick: Cardinals by 3
FILE – President Joe Biden, and his son Hunter Biden arrive at Fort McNair, Sunday, June 25, 2023, in Washington. Hunter Biden has been charged with felony gun possession. A federal indictment filed in Delaware says Biden lied about his drug use when he bought a firearm in 2018 while struggling with addiction to crack cocaine. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
Eagles at Ravens (-2½)
The magic number last Sunday night was 255: The Eagles’ record number of rushing yards for Most Valuable Player candidate Saquon Barkley … and the number of times NBC forced us to sit through an ad for “Wicked.”
Pick: Ravens by 3
Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Nov. 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Browns at Broncos (-5½)
Jameis Winston has led a mini-renaissance for Cleveland and may have eclipsed Deshaun Watson in the team’s quarterbacking plans. But considering Watson’s history of sexual abuse allegations, he could land on his feet with an appointment to Donald Trump’s cabinet.
Pick: Broncos by 3
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) reacts during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Cleveland. The Browns won 24-19. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Steelers at Bengals (-2½)
Pittsburgh was upset last week in the now-famous Snow Globe Game in Cleveland. The Thursday night finish was so exciting that, for the first time this season, Amazon Prime’s Al Michaels woke up.
Pick: Bengals by 3
Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Akins (88) pulls in a pass against Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) in the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Chargers at Falcons (+1½)
Jim lost to big brother John in the Harbaugh Bowl on Monday night. The ESPN themed broadcast, which included the Kelces and Wilsons, was such a success that next week they’re negotiating to get clemency for the Menendez brothers so they can appear on the Manningcast.
Pick: Chargers by 3
Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh, left, hugs Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh after an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Buccaneers at Panthers (+5½)
Carolina nearly pulled off a huge upset last week against Kansas City, sacking all-world Patrick Mahomes five times. The Chiefs’ quarterback took almost as much of a beating as Jay Leno does when falling outside a Hampton Inn.
Pick: Buccaneers by 7
Jay Leno, after falling down a hill and breaking his crown. (Screen grab from YouTube)
Seahawks at Jets (+2½)
Aaron Rodgers says he hasn’t made a decision on 2025 but insists that returning to the Jets is his preferred option. But the conspiracy-touting quarterback is doing so badly this season that it’s more likely that he’ll be bought by The Onion.
Pick: Seahawks by 3
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) reacts during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Colts won 28-27. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Titans at Commanders (-5½)
Washington lost last Sunday after injured kicker Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game in the final seconds. Commanders fans haven’t booed that loudly since the last time Daniel Snyder walked past.
Pick: Commanders by 3
Austin Seibert #3 of the Washington Commanders reacts after a missed extra point during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Northwest Stadium on Nov. 24, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Texans at Jaguars (+4½)
It’s officially a sophomore slump for Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has thrown five interceptions in the past three weeks for the fading Texans. Pro Football Focus reports that the only person who regressed more this autumn is Kamala Harris.
Pick: Texans by 7
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, right, reacts after a touchdown was called back because of a penalty during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Other games
Colts at Patriots (+2½):
Pick: Colts by 3
Rams at Saints (+2½):
Pick: Rams by 7
49ers at Bills (-6½):
Pick: Bills by 11
Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates his rushing touchdown with teammates Khalil Shakir #10 Dawson Knox #88 against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Record
Week 12
7-6 straight up
7-6 vs. spread
Season
119-60 straight up (.665)
102-77 vs. spread (.570)
All-time (2003-24)
3750-2080-14 straight up (.643)
2862-2838-144 vs spread (.502)
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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