Vikings at Lions (-8½)
J.J. McCarthy is back at quarterback after the Vikings tired of watching Carson Wentz try to play with a mangled shoulder. The backup QB over the past few weeks has felt almost as much pain as the Vikings brain trust that jettisoned Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones.
Pick: Lions by 24
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) walks off the field after the the Vikings loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in a NFL game U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Minnesota Vikings, 28-22. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
49ers at Giants (+2½)
New York rookie sensation Cam Skattebo is done for the season after suffering a grotesque dislocation of his ankle. For viewers watching on TV, it was the most sickening sight since watching the White House East Wing being razed.
Pick: 49ers by 7
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo, left, gets tackled by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, right, but injured his ankle in the process during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Colts at Steelers (+3½)
Pittsburgh lost to Green Bay last Sunday night and looked horrible doing it thanks to its ugly 1930s throwback jerseys. T’was a bracing sight for observers who believed there had been no possible way to make Aaron Rodgers look worse.
Pick: Colts by 7
Green Bay Packers’ Rashan Gary sacks Pittsburgh Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Falcons at Patriots (-5½)
Former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins failed miserably in Week 8 filling in for the injured Michael Penix in Atlanta’s 34-10 loss to lowly Miami. The NFL’s most overpaid substitute has now updated his famous postgame refrain to “FEW LIKE THAT!”
Pick: Patriots by 7
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) listens for the play call during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Bears at Bengals (+2½)
Cincinnati somehow found a way to lose to the winless New York Jets last Sunday. The surprise upset lifted the Jets’ popularity in the Big Apple polls, surging ahead of fellow losers Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa.
Pick: Bengals by 3
Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, center, speaks during a mayoral debate with independent candidate former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, left, and Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, Pool)
Chargers at Titans (+9½)
San Diego hall of fame tight end Antonio Gates is denying a report he was involved in the latest sports high stakes poker scandal. Gates is accused of being a “face card” to attract high rollers to rigged games whenever Chauncey Billups was busy with other Mafia duties.
Pick: Chargers by 21
FILE – In this Sept. 16, 2018, file photo, Los Angeles Chargers’ Antonio Gates warms-up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Gates announced his retirement, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, following a 16-year career that saw him finish with 116 touchdowns, which is the most by a tight end in NFL history. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
Saints at Rams (-13½)
Feckless New Orleans is turning to rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and benching Spencer Rattler against the 5-2 Rams. This game is almost as much of a mismatch as the upcoming showdown between the U.S. military and Venezuela.
Pick: Rams by 14
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Panthers at Packers (-12½)
Green Bay’s Tucker Kraft fittingly had a career day last Sunday with 143 yards and two touchdowns, just in time for Tight Ends Day. Meanwhile in Carolina, Panthers backup quarterback Andy Dalton looked his age in a 40-9 loss on Geriatric Gingers Day.
Pick: Packers by 14
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) carries during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Seahawks at Commanders (+3½)
Former Vikings and Seahawks great Adrian Peterson was arrested on drunk driving charges again last week after being found asleep at the wheel of his SUV while the engine was running. This likely ruins his chances to get hired as Jordan Addison’s designated driver.
Pick: Seahawks by 7
This undated photo released by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, shows former NFL player Adrian Peterson. (Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
Cardinals at Cowboys (-2½)
LSU abruptly fired coach Brian Kelly despite being obligated to pay him a $54 million buyout. Kelly’s utter failure in Baton Rouge means it’s almost certain he’ll be the next head coach hired by Jerry Jones.
Pick: Cardinals by 3
LSU head coach Brian Kelly yells to an official during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Other games
Broncos at Texans (-1½)
Pick: Broncos by 4
Jaguars at Raiders (+3½)
Pick: Raiders by 3
Chiefs at Bills (+1½)
Pick: Bills by 3
FILE – Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) avoids Kansas City Chiefs safety Nazeeh Johnson (13) as he runs for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
Bye week
Browns, Jets, Eagles, Buccaneers
Record
Week 8
10-3 straight up
8-5 vs. spread
Season
75-45-1 straight up (.625)
63-58 vs. spread (.537)
All-time (2003-25)
3894-2146-15 straight up (.645)
2974-2937-145 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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