Falcons at Vikings (-4½)
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy led a stunning fourth-quarter rally in his debut Monday night and outdueled former No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams. The Bears’ sophomoric QB was so inept after the opening touchdown drive that, after the game, he was made an honorary White Sock.
Pick: Vikings by 3
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs with a ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Chicago, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Patriots at Dolphins (-1½)
Miami coach Mike McDaniel is on the hot seat after his team’s pitiful opening loss to the quite average Colts at Indianapolis. His team looked so lethargic that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he had never seen the Dolphins look so vaccinated.
Pick: Dolphins by 3
Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins throws a pass during the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts during the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sept. 07, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Jaguars at Bengals (-3½)
The notoriously slow-starting Bengals barely won their opener thanks to a missed field goal and extra point by Cleveland’s Andre Szmyt. But we shouldn’t put all the blame on the rookie kicker, because he was far from the only Brown who played like Szmyt.
Pick: Bengals by 7
Cleveland Browns kicker Andre Szmyt (25) misses a field goal during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 7 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Eagles at Chiefs (+1½)
Eagles defensive star Jalen Carter was shockingly kicked out of the opener after he was caught on camera in a spitting duel with Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott. As a result, Fan Duel has set the over-under for this Super Bowl LIX rematch at 1.5 loogies.
Pick: Eagles by 7
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) walks off the field after being ejected from the game during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Giants at Cowboys (-5½)
Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb took the blame last Thursday as he dropped three very catchable balls that proved to be the difference in the Cowboys’ loss in Philadelphia. This greatly increased the chances that the all-pro receiver will be immediately traded to Green Bay for almost nothing.
Pick: Cowboys by 7
CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys misses a reception against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 04, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Browns at Ravens (-12½)
Baltimore blew a late 15-point lead in its opener at Buffalo thanks, in part, to a critical fumble by Derrick Henry. Some fans defended the future hall of famer after learning that Henry dropped the ball when he thought he saw a screaming Phillies Karen.
Pick: Ravens by 17
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) fumble the ball as he is hit by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Chargers at Raiders (+3½)
The Chargers knocked off division rival Kansas City to win in Brazil in the first-ever NFL game streamed on YouTube. Many fans missed the ending, though, turning off their browsers the moment they first set eyes on Mr. Beast.
Pick: Chargers by 1
(L-R) MrBeast and Rob Gronkowski attend YouTube Brandcast 2025 at David Geffen Hall on May 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Bears at Lions (-5½)
Detroit rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa was a bright spot in the Lions’ loss in Green Bay thanks to a remarkable touchdown catch. Despite that, the overwhelming majority of Americans and Europeans still say that Telsa sucks.
Pick: Lions by 7
Detroit Lions’ Isaac TeSlaa catches a touchdpown pass in front of Green Bay Packers’ Carrington Valentine during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Bills at Jets (+6½)
A Jets staffer became a viral embarrassment Sunday when he got stuck on the giant flag being unfurled on the field during Sunday’s national anthem. Historians say it’s the most embarrassing screw-up by a Jets employee in at least several days.
Pick: Bills by 7
An unfortunate stadium employee finds himself at the wrong place at the wrong time before last Sunday’s New York Jets game. (Screen grab from YouTube)
49ers at Saints (+4½)
San Francisco cut kicker Jake Moody on Tuesday after he missed two of three field-goal attempts in last Sunday’s opener in Seattle. He failed so miserably that he’s now in line to become the next cabinet secretary.
Pick: 49ers by 3
San Francisco 49ers place-kicker Jake Moody (4) kicks a field goal attempt that was blocked by Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Other games
Broncos at Colts (+2½)
Pick: Colts by 3
Rams at Titans (+5½)
Pick: Rams by 7
Seahawks at Steelers (-2½)
Pick: Seahawks by 3
Panthers at Cardinals (-6½)
Pick: Cardinals by 7
Buccaneers at Texans (-2½)
Pick: Buccaneers by 3
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Record
Week 1
9-7 straight up
8-8 vs. spread
All-time (2003-25)
3837-2116 straight up (.645)
2926-2895-145 vs spread (.503)
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays 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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