Lions at Vikings (-2½)
All of Detroit was stunned last week when all-pro pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson suffered a grotesquely broken leg, ending his season. He was visibly in such excruciating pain that it’s been compared to what American voters will experience in a couple of weeks when they see the choices on their presidential ballot.
Pick: Lions by 7
Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions reacts after sacking Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of a game at AT&T Stadium on Oct. 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Ravens at Buccaneers (+3½)
ABC is adding six additional Monday NIght Football simulcasts to its schedule over the rest of the season. The games will fill the void created when the network proved unable to greenlight the new spinoff “Terminally Ill Bachelor.”
Pick: Ravens by 7
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman look on prior to a game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Dolphins at Colts (-3½)
Miami coach Mike McDaniel says he does expect Tua Tagovailoa to play again during the 2024 season. What he doesn’t know is whether his quarterback will next be knocked out by a crushing tackle, a hard fall or a stiff breeze of autumn wind.
Pick: Colts by 7
Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins embraces Tua Tagovailoa #1 after leaving the game with an injury during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Raiders at Rams (-5½)
New part owner Tom Brady is going to have a “prominent voice” in Raiders decisions, according to majority owner Mark Davis. That’s not too encouraging for fans who have already tired of hearing Brady’s voice on FOX broadcasts.
Pick: Rams by 7
Las Vegas Raiders owner and managing general partner and Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis (L) and Tom Brady laugh as they attend Game One of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs finals between the Aces and the New York Liberty at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Oct. 08, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Jets at Steelers (pick ‘em)
New York traded for wideout Davante Adams after they lost to Buffalo in another mediocre performance by Aaron Rodgers. While their NFL playoff chances may be fading, the quarterback is likely to land the Jets an at-large berth in the next Sarcastaball tournament.
Pick: Jets by 3
Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets reacts during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 14, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Patriots vs. Jaguars (-5½)
Embattled Jacksonville coach Doug Pederson says his Jags need a culture change after losing for the 10th time in their past 12 games. Shahid Khan’s team now ranks as the third biggest disaster to hit Florida, trailing only Milton and Helene.
Pick: Jaguars by 3
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson reacts during the second half at TrEver Bank Stadium on Sept. 15, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Bengals at Browns (+4½)
Cleveland traded away star receiver Amari Cooper to Buffalo. It was a very poignant farewell ceremony in the Browns’ locker room Tuesday when Cooper’s quarterback, Deshaun Watson, handed him, as a going-away present: a gift certificate from Massage Envy.
Pick: Bengals by 7
Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns is congratulated by Amari Cooper #2 after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 10, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Eagles at Giants (+3½)
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni apologized after ripping Philadelphia fans after their narrow win over Cleveland last Sunday. It’s a smart move since Sirianni will be depending on those same folks for tips in his next job driving for Door Dash.
Pick: Eagles by 7
Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on after their 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field on Oct. 13, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Chiefs at 49ers (-1½)
These familiar foes meet again in a rematch of Super Bowls LIV and LVIII. This regular season matchup will likely be far different than those two games in that its highly unlikely the Niners will ever build a double-digit lead.
Pick: Chiefs by 3
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. #12 against the San Francisco 49ers in overtime to win Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs defeated the 49ers 25-22 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Seahawks at Falcons (-3½)
Atlanta this week was awarded Super Bowl LXII in 2028 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. So it’s even money on what Falcons fans will see first: the Super Bowl in their own home stadium, or Michael Penix playing in a game.
Pick: Falcons by 1
Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Other games
Panthers at Commanders (-7½):
Pick: Commanders by 7
Titans at Bills (-8½):
Pick: Bills by 7
Chargers at Cardinals (+2½):
Pick: Cardinals by 3
Texans at Packers (-2½):
Pick: Texans by 3
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud celebrates after a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL wild-card game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Houston. (Eric Christian Smith, AP)
Bye week
Cowboys, Bears
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, left, and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) watch play against the Detroit Lions in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Record
***Week 6
13-1 straight up
12-2 vs. spread
*** Not a typo … Just a Nostradamus-like weekend
Season
59-33 straight up (.641)
54-38 vs. spread (.587)
All-time (2003-24)
3690-2053-14 straight up (.643)
2814-2799-144 vs spread (.501)
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
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