Falcons at Vikings (-4½)
Sunday marks the grand return to Minnesota of Kirk Cousins. The Atlanta quarterback tried to send a pregame message of goodwill to Vikings fans who cheered him over the past six seasons … but it was intercepted.
Pick: Vikings by 8
Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons is tackled by Elijah Molden #22 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Browns at Steelers (-6½)
Jameis Winston threw for 497 yards and four touchdowns on Monday night, but the Browns were doomed by his two pick-sixes. But his performance was so impressive that President Biden pardoned Winston for everything he has done since 2014.
Pick: Steelers by 7
Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) avoids Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (22) in the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Bengals at Cowboys (+5½)
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow raised eyebrows on “Hard Knocks” by revealing he purchased a Batmobile for nearly $3 million. Ohio officials confirmed it’s the most frivolously overpriced purchase registered in the state since the Browns paid $230 million for Deshaun Watson.
Pick: Bengals by 7
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals tosses the ball to Chase Brown #30 during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Bills at Rams (+4½)
Crafty Bills management paid Buffalo fans $20 per hour last weekend to shovel the latest batch of lake-effect snow out of their Orchard Park stadium. They set that price because that’s what members of Bills Mafia usually spend per hour on Keystone Light.
Pick: Bills by 7
A worker shovels snow before the AFC Wild Card playoff game between the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers at Highmark Stadium on Jan. 15, 2024 in Buffalo, New York. The Bills hired local residents to help clear snow from the stadium before today’s game. A blizzard caused the game to be postponed from Sunday. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Bears at 49ers (-4½)
It’s Thomas Brown’s first game as interim coach since the Bears dumped Matt Eberflus after his Thanksgiving faux pas. It’s obvious now that Eberflus was one of the absolute worst choices for a position of authority, trailing only Pete Hegseth.
Pick: Bears by 7
Head coach Matt Eberflus of the Chicago Bears looks on during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Nov. 24, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Jets at Dolphins (-6½)
Netflix is set to debut on December 17 a new documentary about Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The project is titled “Enigma” because it was shorter and pithier than the more accurate original title: “Washed-up Conspiracy Dolt.”
Pick: Dolphins by 7
Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets puts on his helmet against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Jaguars at Titans (-3½)
Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence is done for the season thanks to a dirty hit by Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair. The linebacker later defended himself by tweeting a photo of Joaquin Phoenix, reminding folks that the sequel “Joker: Folie a Deux” was much more foul than his tackle.
Pick: Titans by 7
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) slides down as Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) charges forward during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. Lawrence was injured on the play and Al-Shaair was ejected from the game for the unecessary hit.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Raiders at Buccaneers (-7½)
Reports out of Las Vegas indicate that Antonio Pierce could be one and done as the Raiders’ coach after botching the finish of the Raiders’ Black Friday loss in Kansas City. His blunder saved the referees from having to concoct yet another way to make sure the Chiefs won.
Pick: Buccaneers by 3
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, right, talks to side judge Greg Gautreaux, left, during the first half of an NFL football game, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders, 19-17. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Saints at Giants (+4½)
New York, which is in the running for the No. 1 draft pick, will be missing at least six starters for Sunday’s game at the Meadowlands. For Big Blue fans, it’s the best news they have heard all season.
Pick: Saints by 17
D.J. Davidson #98 of the New York Giants is on the field with an injury during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 28, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Other games
Chargers at Chiefs (-3½):
Pick: Chiefs by 7
Seahawks at Cardinals (-2½):
Pick: Cardinals by 3
Panthers at Eagles (-12½):
Pick: Eagles by 20
Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. Philadelphia defeated Baltimore 24-19. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Bye week
Colts, Patriots, Broncos, Commanders, Ravens, Texans
Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens hands the ball to Derrick Henry #22 during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 01, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. Philadelphia defeated Baltimore 24-19. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Record
Week 13
12-4 straight up
8-8 vs. spread
Season
131-64 straight up (.672)
110-85 vs. spread (.564)
All-time (2003-24)
3762-2084-14 straight up (.644)
2870-2846-144 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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