Commanders at Lions (-9½)
Washington earned its first playoff victory in 18 years last Sunday night when Zane Gonzalez doinked a last-second field goal off the upright in Tampa Bay. It was the luckiest thing to happen to the Commanders’ franchise since the Chicago Bears picked Caleb Williams over Jayden Daniels.
Pick: Lions by 3
Washington Commanders place kicker Zane Gonzalez (47) makes a field goal in the second half during an NFL football Wild Card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Jan 12, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Rams at Eagles (-6)
A drunk Eagles fan from New Jersey lost his job this week and received a lifetime ban from Lincoln Financial Field after videos showed him profanely attacking a female Packers fan during last Sunday’s game in Philadelphia. While Ryan Caldwell’s behavior proved costly, it increased his chances of landing a nomination to the Trump Cabinet.
Pick: Rams by 3
Screen grab from X
Texans at Chiefs (-8)
Kansas City begins its quest for a third straight Super Bowl title against a Houston team coming off an upset win over the Chargers. Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert took the blame after a performance that was so erratic and poor that NFL analysts had to invent a new adjective to describe him: Darnoldian.
Pick: Chiefs by 11
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is pressured by Houston Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle Jr. during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Ravens at Bills (+1.5)
Baltimore last week eliminated arch-rival Pittsburgh, handing the Steelers their fifth consecutive loss. Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson finished the season so abysmally that he has qualified for, and is likely to receive, a last-minute pardon from Joe Biden.
Pick: Ravens by 3
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson, bottom, lies on the ground after being sacked by Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (92), celebrating with linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) and linebacker Odafe Oweh (99), during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
Record
Week 19
4-2 straight up
4-2 vs. spread
Season
196-82 straight up (.705)
156-122 vs. spread (.561)
All-time (2003-25)
3827-2102-14 straight up (.645)
2916-2883-144 vs spread (.503)
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
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