Lions at Vikings (+3½)

The Vikings have announced that they are replacing the artificial turf at U.S. Bank Stadium and their indoor practice facility with new turf deemed safer for players. The switch will cost $1.3 million and, in a thoughtful Christmas gesture, the Wilfs are going to wait until after the holidays to demand that taxpayers pay for it.
Pick: Lions by 7

Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf before the start of a NFL football game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2022. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Browns at Texans (-2½)

Former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum will start again in place of C.J. Stroud as Houston tries to earn a playoff spot. This is reminding Minnesota fans that Keenum has gotten the Vikings closer to a Super Bowl than Kirk Cousins ever will.
Pick: Browns by 3

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) walks off the field following the team’s win over New Orleans Saints in an NFL divisional football playoff game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. The Vikings defeated the Saints 29-24. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Commanders at Jets (-3½)

New York’s Aaron Rodgers reversed course this week and announced that he is not going to return this season from his torn Achilles’ tendon. The news was stunning to the half dozen fans who still believe the BS coming out of the quarterback’s mouth.
Pick: Jets by 7

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks up during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Cowboys at Dolphins (-1½)

Two alleged Super Bowl contenders meet despite both seemingly being incapable of beating teams with a winning record. Usually, not being able to beat a quality opponent qualifies you only for the American presidency.
Pick: Dolphins by 3

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 08: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys is sacked by Nick Bosa #97 and Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Packers at Panthers (+4½)

The Panthers’ second victory of the season last Sunday came in their nearly empty Charlotte stadium despite seats selling online for as low as 45 cents. It’s an astounding amount of proper discretion shown by Carolina folks who for years have kept the rancid Waffle House in business.
Pick: Packers by 7

Fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Raiders at Chiefs (-9½)

Las Vegas cost Chargers coach Brandon Staley his job by embarrassing the Bolts 63-21 last Thursday night. The biggest surprise of the evening was that Staley didn’t quit right after the game ended since his players quit about three minutes into it.
Pick: Chiefs by 14

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 14: Head coach Brandon Staley of the Los Angeles Chargers adjusts his headset in the fourth quarter of a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 63-21. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Giants at Eagles (-10½)

Tommy DeVito’s agent, Sean Stelleto, caused an uproar last week by doubling the appearance fee for the young Giants quarterback to show up at a New Jersey pizzeria. The controversy immediately was branded as the most Jersey thing ever.
Pick: Eagles by 17

Sports agent Sean Stellato, left, who represents New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito, center, wears a green outfit from the Italian American Sports Hall of Fame before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Colts at Falcons (+2½)

Atlanta coach Arthur Smith took some shots at the media after the Falcons’ critical loss to Carolina. That level of candor will no doubt help Smith next year when he starts his new job as a commentator for Fox Sports Timbuktu.
Pick: Colts by 3

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith speaks during a news conference after his team’s loss to the Carolina Panthers in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Jaguars at Buccaneers (pick ‘em)

A former Jaguars employee pleaded guilty to stealing more than $22 million from the franchise over the past four years. And here we thought the only person stealing millions of Jacksonville’s money was Calvin Ridley.
Pick: Buccaneers by 3

Jacksonville Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville performs in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Patriots at Broncos (-6½)

Denver’s Sean Payton got prickly with a reporter last week, declaring that what he says on the sideline to QB Russell Wilson is none of his business. The Broncos’ coach no doubt will soon be putting a bounty on that reporter’s ankles.
Pick: Broncos by 7

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton yells from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Other games

Ravens at 49ers (-5½):
Pick: 49ers by 7

Seahawks at Titans (+2½):.
Pick: Titans by 3

Cardinals at Bears (-4½):
Pick: Bears by 3

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) scrambles against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Record

Week 15
11-5 straight up
7-9 vs. spread

Season
136-88 straight up (.607)
114-110. spread (.509)

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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