Colts at Vikings (-5½)
Indianapolis is turning to Joe Flacco at quarterback after benching Anthony Richardson. The Colts’ sophomore raised eyebrows last week by “tapping out” on his helmet because he was tired. Also tapping out this week: the American Electorate.
Pick: Vikings by 7

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Commanders at Giants (+2½)
Daniel Jones doomed the Giants on Monday night in Pittsburgh with a late-game interception. The deflected pass, snagged by the Steelers’ Beanie Bishop, floated in the air so softly it would have been caught by anybody on the planet with the exception of Aaron Judge.
Pick: Commanders by 7

Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees drops a routine fly ball hit by Tommy Edman #25 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning of Game Five of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 30, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Patriots at Titans (-2½)
Former Patriots star Rob Gronkowski revealed that he was college buddies with one of the Yankees fans who wrestled with Mookie Betts during Game 4 of the World Series. Imagine our surprise to learn Gronk actually knows dudes more Gronkier than he is.
Pick: Titans by 3

Fans interfere with Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers as he attempts to catch a fly ball in foul territory during the first inning of Game Four of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 29, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The play resulted in an out. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Bears at Cardinals (-1½)
The Bears lost last Sunday on a Hail Mary pass when Tyrique Stevenson taunted fans during the final play, then batted the ball to Washington’s Noah Brown. It was the most embarrassing display Chicago fans had seen since the end of the White Sox season.
Pick: Bears by 3

Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) catches a 52-yard touchdown pass in the end zone as time expires to give the Commanders an 18-15 win over the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Lions at Packers (+4½)
Former Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers is touting his new ‘fountain of youth” elixir, which is basically cayenne pepper infused water. He says the concoction makes him feel better, and as for the taste, it doesn’t suck nearly as badly as the Jets.
Pick: Lions by 7

Deatrich Wise Jr. #91 of the New England Patriots sacks Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 27, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Saints at Panthers (+6½)
Bryce Young will get the start at quarterback again for 1-6 Carolina as Andy Dalton recovers after being involved in a car accident. But that doesn’t faze the commander in chief, as President Biden declared that the Panthers are still garbage.
Pick: Saints by 7

Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field At Mile High on Oct. 27, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Buccaneers at Chiefs (-8½)
Tampa Bay broke out the old Creamsicle jerseys last Sunday and promptly lost to NFC South rival Atlanta. While some Bucs fans love the bright throwbacks from the 20th century, many found the orange hue off-putting as it reminded them of Donald Trump’s face.
Pick: Chiefs by 3

Keenan Isaac #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs out prior to facing the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on Oct. 27, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Chargers at Browns (+1½)
Cleveland pass rush king Myles Garrett drew praise last Sunday for his ‘Terminator’ Halloween costume. But he lost out in the Browns’ team competition to Jameis Winston, who stunningly masqueraded as a functional NFL quarterback.
Pick: Browns by 3

Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during warmups before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on Oct. 20, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Dolphins at Bills (-6½)
South Florida honored Dwyane Wade with a statue outside the Miami Heat’s arena. While the edifice looks nothing like the Basketball Hall of Famer, it actually captures accurately the look on Wade’s face every time he sees Tua Tagovailoa getting tackled.
Pick: Bills by 14

A statue of Dwyane Wade, the first in Heat history outside of the Kaseya Center, was unveiled on Oct. the 27th, honoring his “this is my house” celebration from a win over the Chicago Bulls in 2009, seen at Kaseya Center on Oct. 28, 2024 in Miami, Florida. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Cowboys at Falcons (-2½)
Homer, Bart and the Simpsons will be on “Monday Night Football” for a specially themed broadcast of the Dec. 9 game between Dallas and Cincinnati. The Cowboys are a perfect choice as Jerry Jones’ team is even more cartoonish than the Simpsons, though a bit less animated.
Pick: Falcons by 3

“The Simpsons” costumed characters, from left, Bart Simpson, Homer Simpson, Lisa Simpson, Marge Simpson and Maggie Simpson pose together on the 86th floor observation deck during Fox’s “The Simpsons” 30th anniversary celebration at the Empire State Building on Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Rams at Seahawks (even)
Geno Smith needs to be on his game Sunday in this pivotal NFC West showdown. The Seattle quarterback is doing extra neck stretching exercises to prepare for the eventual moment when the Rams try to twist the facemask off of his head.
Pick: Rams by 3

Byron Young #0 of the Los Angeles Rams makes the tackle against Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings for a safety in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 24, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Other games

Broncos at Ravens (-9½):
Pick: Ravens by 7

Raiders at Bengals (-7½):
Pick: Bengals by 7

Jaguars at Eagles (-7½):
Pick: Eagles by 11

Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 25, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Bye week

Steelers, 49ers

Record

Week 8
10-6 straight up
7-9 vs. spread

Season
80-43 straight up (.650)
70-53 vs. spread (.569)

All-time (2003-24)
3711-2063-14 straight up (.643)
2830-2814-144 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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