Eagles at Vikings (+1½)
Because of the lingering high ankle sprain of J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota quarterback Carson Wentz is expected to face his old team that he helped lead to the Super Bowl eight years ago. Vikings fans hoping to see the young McCarthy start have a greater chance on Sunday of seeing the Epstein files.
Pick: Eagles by 3
Philadelphia Eagles’ Carson Wentz prepares to pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Panthers at Jets (+1½)
New York and Justin Fields hit a franchise low last Sunday in London by tallying minus-10 net yards passing during their loss to Denver. The only possible way they could have done worse in the air is if they flew home on Spirit Airlines.
Pick: Panthers by 7
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) is tackled by the Broncos defense in the second half of an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in London. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Buccaneers at Lions (-5½)
Tampa Bay, at 5-1, is tied for the best record in the league, and quarterback Baker Mayfield is the early front-runner for the NFL Most Valuable Player award. Recent presidential runner-up Kamala Harris said she hasn’t seen a better candidate since Kamala Harris.
Pick: Lions by 7
Former Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the first stop of her book tour for her new book about her presidential campaign, “107 Days,” at Town Hall in New York, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
Giants at Broncos (-7½)
Giants rookie Cam Skattebo made headlines by rushing for three touchdowns against Philadelphia, then ripping his shirt off during a postgame TV interview. He’s now the answer to a trivia question: What if Rob Gronkowski and the Hunchback of Notre Dame had a child.
Pick: Broncos by 1
Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants warms up prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 09, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Raiders at Chiefs (-12½)
Kansas City’s offense will get a needed boost with the return from suspension of Rashee Rice. The standout wide receiver is expected to hit the ground running at full speed, which for him is 119 miles per hour.
Pick: Chiefs by 8
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) reacts during warm ups before an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Patriots at Titans (+7½)
New England is the surprising leader of the AFC East thanks to the red-hot start for Drake Maye. That’s startling because, as most Patriots fans can remind you, the 23-year-old quarterback isn’t quite old enough to date Bill Belichick.
Pick: Patriots by 17
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall)
Dolphins at Browns (-2½)
Miami has turned into a 1-5 dumpster fire, and the coaching hot seat could not get any more broiling for Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins’ coach would no doubt have already been summarily fired if he worked at, say, Penn State.
Pick: Dolphins by 3
Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel during his game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 8, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall, South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Colts at Chargers (-1½)
Colts backup quarterback Anthony Richardson suffered serious facial injuries last week during a freak incident during his warmups at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis police eventually ruled it an accident after initially suspecting Mark Sanchez.
Pick: Chargers by 3
This undated image provided by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department shows former NFL quarterback and sports analyst Mark Sanchez. (Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department via AP)
Commanders at Cowboys (+1½)
Commanders star Jayden Daniels took responsibility Monday night after his late fumble helped hand the victory to Chicago. Despite the quarterback’s blunder, most Washington fans, out of habit, blamed Daniel Snyder.
Pick: Commanders by 3
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) fumbles the ball during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Packers at Cardinals (+6½)
Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs scored two TDs last week against Cincinnati despite being weakened by the flu. The star running back admitted to throwing up several times during the game, which is roughly par for dudes at Lambeau Field.
Pick: Packers by 7
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) runs near Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Other games
Rams vs. Jaguars (+2½)
Pick: Rams by 3
Saints at Bears (-5½)
Pick: Bears by 7
Texans at Seahawks (-3½)
Pick: Seahawks by 7
Falcons at 49ers (-1½)
Pick: 49ers by 3
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Bye week
Ravens, Bills
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro (98) sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Record
Week 6
10-5 straight up
9-6 vs. spread
Season
54-38-1 straight up (.587)
45-48 vs. spread (.484)
All-time (2003-25)
3873-2139-15 straight up (.644)
2955-2927-145 vs spread (.502)
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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