Every Sunday, Kevin Cusick makes his predictions against the latest Las Vegas point spread, the way God intended …
Vikings at Bears (even)
J.J. McCarthy’s regular season debut comes almost 20 months after the Minnesota quarterback’s last collegiate game. That national title game was so long ago that, in the time since hoisting the trophy, his Michigan team has been found guilty of several thousand NCAA violations.
Pick: Bears by 3
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, left, talks to quarterback J.J. McCarthy before an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Lions at Packers (even)
All eyes are on Micah Parsons as the star edge rusher makes his Green Bay debut. While Parsons may need a pregame shot because of his ailing back, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will need about a dozen shots while watching on TV back in Dallas.
Pick: Lions by 3
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is interviewed prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium on Aug. 22, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Steelers at Jets (+3½)
Vagabond quarterback Aaron Rodgers makes his Pittsburgh debut against his ‘24 team. Many Jets fans considered him a toxic presence, which is something they have some expertise with, considering those fans watch games in the middle of a New Jersey swamp.
Pick: Jets by 3
Aaron Rodgers gestures as the leaves the seventh tee box prior to the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course on July 10, 2025 in Stateline, Nevada. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Giants at Commanders (-6½)
Journeyman quarterback Russell Wilson is making his first start for his latest team in New York. He has tied Aaron Rodgers for the NFL record for most teams that no longer want him.
Pick: Commanders by 3
Russell Wilson #3 of the New York Giants looks on before a NFL Preseason 2025 game between New York Jets and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 16, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants won 31-12. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Ravens at Bills (-1½)
Buffalo’s Bills begin their final season at their Orchard Park home. It’s been a historic 53-year run at that stadium as it played host to only a single Bills player ever found liable for a double homicide.
Pick: Ravens by 3
Laviska Shenault Jr. #15 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with teammates after catching a pass for a two-point conversion during the fourth quarter of the NFL Preseason 2025 game between the New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Aug. 09, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Raiders at Patriots (-3½)
New New England coach Mike Vrabel was seeing red after what he called “rats” leaked internal Patriots information to the press. This surprised many because the only confirmed rat that the Pats’ organization has employed recently is currently working in North Carolina.
Pick: Raiders by 3
Mike Vrabel head coach of the New England Patriots speaks to players on the bench during the third quarter of the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 16, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Titans at Broncos (-6½)
Tennessee rookie quarterback Cameron Ward, the No. 1 draft pick, makes his first NFL start. His fans fear that if he soils himself with an embarrassing debut performance, he’ll be immediately compared to Arch Manning.
Pick: Broncos by 3
Cam Ward #1 of the Tennessee Titans warms up during the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium on Aug. 22, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Bengals at Browns (+5½)
It’s been a busy first week in Cleveland’s quarterback room. Starter Joe Flacco studied the game plan against Cincinnati for hours, and bench-warmer Shedeur Sanders studied TikTok for hours and texted his dad to request an increase in his allowance.
Pick: Bengals by 3
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after leaving the game during the fourth quarter of an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Los Angeles Rams at Huntington Bank Field on Aug. 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Rams 19-17. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
49ers at Seahawks (+1½)
Sam Darnold begins a new era in Seattle. His Vikings run fell apart in his 17th game in Detroit and the subsequent playoff loss to the Rams. His Pacific Northwest run might begin to fall apart in this game’s second quarter.
Pick: 49ers by 3
Texans at Rams (-2½)
Matthew Stafford is a bit iffy because of a bad back and other maladies common to aging quarterbacks. Los Angeles fans are not used to seeing their QB in a fragile physical state … except for when he was on Cocktail No. 14 at their Super Bowl championship celebration.
Pick: Rams by 3
Matthew Stafford (L, Center) of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates on stage during the Super Bowl LVI Victory Parade on Feb. 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Dolphins at Colts (even)
This battle between 2024 failures is the first good indication on whether this will be another disappointing season in Indiana. Of course, most Hoosier sports fans are currently much more obsessed about the social media stream of Caitlin Clark.
Pick: Dolphins by 3
Injured Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever cheers on her team during their game against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center on Aug. 31, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Other games
Buccaneers at Falcons (+1½)
Pick: Buccaneers by 3
Cardinals at Saints (+3½)
Pick: Cardinals by 7
Panthers at Jaguars (-3½)
Pick: Panthers by 3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) runs with the ball past Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)
Record
Last season
197-88 straight up (.691)
158-126-1 vs. spread (.556)
All-time (2003-25)
3828-2108 straight up (.645)
2918-2887-145 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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