Bills at Jets (+2½):
Aaron Rodgers says he resents allegations that he engineered the firing of coach Robert Saleh, calling such talk “patently false.” Of course, the Jets’ QB is quite familiar with things “patently false” from his days claiming he was “immunized” against COVID-19.
Pick: Bills by 3

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets talks with head coach Robert Saleh on the sidelines during the 1st half of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Commanders at Ravens (-6½):
Disgruntled Las Vegas receiver Davante Adams raised eyebrows by posting on social media a portrait of famed poet Edgar Allen Poe. It’s not certain, though, whether Adams was indicating he wished to become a Raven or a Tell-Tale Heart..
Pick: Ravens by 3

Davante Adams #17 of the Las Vegas Raiders warms up before a game between the Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

Steelers at Raiders (+2½):
The NFL is investigating Pittsburgh’s George Pickens.for wearing eyeblack with the profane message “always (expletive) open.” The league always acts swiftly and decisively when disciplining players … useless it involves domestic violence, drug use or 140 mph speeding.
Pick: Steelers by 3

FILE – Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) runs after a catch during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)

Texans at Patriots (+6½):
New England’s Jabrill Peppers has been placed on the commissioner’s exempt list after being charged with domestic assault and drug possession. The accusations are so shocking and appalling that Diddy cut him from his fantasy team.
Pick: Texans by 7

Jabrill Peppers #5 of the New England Patriots celebrates after intercepting the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Lions at Cowboys (+3½):
Detroit quarterback Jared Goff had a perfect night in the Lions’ last game, completing all 18 passes he attempted. But his many critics aren’t convinced, with Georgia Rep, Marjorie Taylor Greene accusing Goff of reaching that level of accuracy by using space lasers.
Pick: Lions by 8

Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions celebrates after catching a touchdown pass thrown by Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at Ford Field on Sept. 30, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Falcons at Panthers (+6½):
The Panthers fell to 1-4 last Sunday after getting routed in Chicago. The Bears looked so dominant that analysts now estimate they are only two more trades with Carolina away from winning a Super Bowl.
Pick: Falcons by 11

Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball away from Chris Williams #91 of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field on Oct. 06, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Bengals at Giants (+3½):
The once-flailing Giants pulled off a stunning upset in Seattle in Week 5. Their blocked kick for a touchdown on the game’s final play was so exciting that Elon Musk jumped up and down like a doofus for about 15 minutes.
Pick: Bengals by 7

TOPSHOT – Tesla CEO Elon Musk (R) jumps on stage as he joins former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a campaign rally at site of his first assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania on October 5, 2024. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Browns at Eagles (-8½):
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski insists he’s sticking with Deshaun Watson despite his lame efforts in the loss to Washington. The Cleveland quarterback had the most unwatchable performance of the month, according to folks who haven’t seen the “Joker” sequel.
Pick: Eagles by 7

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns reacts against the Washington Commanders during the third quarter at Northwest Stadium on Oct. 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Chargers at Broncos (+2½):
Denver coach Sean Payton had a heated exchange on the sideline with Bo Nix, saying his quarterback has “a little Ferris Bueller” in him. But the two eventually made up, so it will still be a couple weeks before Payton puts a bounty on him.
Pick: Chargers by 3

Quarterback Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos talks to head coach Sean Payton while stretching during Denver Broncos Rookie Minicamp at Centura Health Training Center on May 11, 2024 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Buccaneers at Saints (+2½):
The Buccaneers left town early this week to avoid the wrath of Hurricane Milton. That was wise because, as their Week 5 loss in Atlanta shows, there are few things more defenseless than the Tampa Bay defense.
Pick: Buccaneers by 11

KhaDarel Hodge #12 of the Atlanta Falcons runs with the ball to score a game winning 45 yard touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 03, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Other games

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

Jaguars vs. Bears (-2½):
Pick: Bears by 7

Colts at Titans (even):
Pick: Colts by 3

Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals runs for a first quarter touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on Oct. 06, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Bye week

Vikings, Dolphins, Chiefs, Rams

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)

Record

Week 5
8-6 straight up
8-6 vs. spread

Season
46-32 straight up (.590)
42-36 vs. spread (.538)

All-time (2003-24)
3677-2052-14 straight up (.642)
2802-2797-144 vs spread (.500)

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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