Vikings at Rams (+1½)
The bad Sam Darnold returned in all his splendor last Sunday night in Detroit as the Vikings’ quarterback failed and they lost their bid for the NFC’s top seed. Minnesotans haven’t been this disappointed and embarrassed watching one of their local favorites since their governor ran for vice president.
Pick: Vikings by 3
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is sacked by Detroit Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith (99) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
Packers at Eagles (-4½)
Both teams have issues at quarterback with Philly’s Jalen Hurts in the concussion protocol and Green Bay’s Jordan Love dealing with an elbow injury. Yet at the moment, either team would much prefer its hobbled QB to … say … Sam Darnold.
Pick: Eagles by 7
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) grabs his fingers after a play during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Commanders at Buccaneers (-3)
Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans caught a last-minute pass during garbage time to reach the 1,000-yard receiving mark for a record-tying 11th consecutive season. It was such a shameless, gratuitous and obvious example of stat padding that it was roundly applauded by Brett Favre and Michael Strahan.
Pick: Commanders by 3
Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates surpassing a 1,000 receiving yards for the season in the fourth quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saintsat Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 05, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Broncos at Bills (-8½)
Denver earned a surprise playoff berth in Week 18 after Chiefs coach Andy Reid benched most of his starters. The 38-0 blowout hIt a low point late in the game when Carson Wentz was unable to complete a pass attempt to The State Farm Dude.
Pick: Bills by 11
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Steelers at Ravens (-9½)
Pittsburgh comes in on a four-game losing streak against a team that routed them in Week 17. The Steelers came into this season having won 6 of 7 in this heated rivalry, but that was before they made Russell Wilson their quarterback.
Pick: Ravens by 11
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws a pass as Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) moves in during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Chargers at Texans (+3)
Houston is a home underdog after winning the motley AFC South Division, the NFL’s weakest link. With bottom dwellers Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Tennessee, the South has the worst collection of alleged talent since the Golden Globe Awards.
Pick: Chargers by 11
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Odafe Oweh (99) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first half of an NFL football game Friday, Dec 27, 2024 in Houston. The Ravens defeated the Texans 31-2. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)
Record
Week 18
11-5 straight up
8-8 vs. spread
Season
192-80 straight up (.706)
152-120 vs. spread (.559)
All-time (2003-25)
3823-2100-14 straight up (.645)
2912-2881-144 vs spread (.503)
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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