Vikings at Giants (+2½)
Snoop Dogg is coming to Minneapolis to headline the halftime show for the Vikings’ Christmas game against Detroit. The hip hop icon doesn’t have much in common with Minnesota’s NFL team because Snoop makes it to the Super Bowl every year.
Pick: Vikings by 7
FILE – Snoop Dogg performs at the Shaq’s Fun House Super Bowl event on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Photo by Rick Scuteri/Invision/AP, File)
Chiefs at Titans (+3½)
Patrick Mahomes is done for the season after blowing out his knee in the Chiefs’ season-killing loss to the Chargers. While replays showed the K.C. QB’s injury was caused by an awkward sack, the president insisted it was caused by Trump Derangement Syndrome.
Pick: Chiefs by 7
FILE – Rick Burkholder, Chiefs Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance, talks to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, on ground, after Mahomes was injured during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)
Chargers at Cowboys (-1½)
Jim Harbaugh expressed concern for former assistant Sherrone Moore, who was fired and arrested over an alleged illicit affair with a Michigan underling. The Chargers’ coach was not blindsided by the scandal, however, as he had gotten warning signals from Connor Stallions.
Pick: Chargers by 3
FILE – Michigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, left, and coach Jim Harbaugh watch the team’s play against Indiana during an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Jaguars at Broncos (-3½)
Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence had his career-best game last Sunday with five touchdown passes and one TD run. The quarterback’s day was capped wonderfully when he received a congratulatory phone call from his identical twin Fabio.
Pick: Broncos by 3
Actor Fabio poses for a photo at the National Italian American Foundation’s annual gala in Washington, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Jets at Saints (-4½)
The quarterback-needy Jets reportedly are targeting Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza in this spring’s NFL draft. Landing in the swamps of Jersey would be even more heartbreaking for the Heisman Trophy winner than the Hoosiers’ upcoming playoff loss.
Pick: Saints by 7
FILE – Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Penn State , Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
Patriots at Ravens (-2½)
New England coach Mike Vrabel complained about the officiating after his Pats blew a 21-point lead to Buffalo. It’s a big departure from team policy because Stefan Diggs is usually in charge of the Patriots’ whining.
Pick: Ravens by 3
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel following an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Steelers at Lions (-6½)
Pittsburgh routed Miami to win its record 23rd straight Monday Night Football home game. The Steelers last lost on MNF back in 1991, when Aaron Rodgers was just a 7-year-old narcissist.
Pick: Lions by 7
Raiders at Texans (-14½)
Las Vegas’ Pete Carroll says he does not feel his head coaching job is in jeopardy despite an eight-game losing streak. The Raiders’ season has been such a debacle that Bill Belichick thinks Carroll is over the hill.
Pick: Texans by 17
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll looks on from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Philadelphia.. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Bengals at Dolphins (-1½)
Newly benched Tua Tagovailoa was criticized for laughing on the sideline during the loss in Pittsburgh that ended Miami’s playoff hopes. The NFL leader in interceptions cannot help chuckling when recalling how the Dolphins re-signed him for another $212 million.
Pick: Bengals by 3
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
49ers at Colts (+5½)
Philip Rivers’ return from retirement will delay his expected entry into the Pro Football Hall of fame until at least 2031. By then, he’ll have a tough time deciding which one of his two dozen children will give the induction speech.
Pick: Colts by 3
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) smiles while greeting running back Jonathan Taylor (28) and linebacker Austin Ajiake (58) during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
OTHER GAMES
Bills at Browns (+9½)
Pick: Bills by 17
Buccaneers at Panthers (+2½)
Pick: Buccaneers by 3
Falcons at Cardinals (+2½)
Pick: Falcons by 3
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) makes an off balanced pass during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thursday, Dec 11, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
RECORD
Week 15
7-9 straight up
4-12 vs. spread
Season
137-86-1 straight up (.614)
109-115 vs. spread (.487)
All-time (2003-25)
3956-2187-15 straight up (.644)
3020-2994-145 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.
Related Articles
The Loop Fantasy Football Report Week 16: Mahomes mavens now searching for savior
The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 15: Last-minute moves
The Loop NFL Picks: Week 15
The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 14: Last-minute moves
The Loop NFL Picks: Week 14
Leave a Reply