Commanders at Vikings (+1½)

Sad J.J. McCarthy is expected to replace even sadder Max Brosmer in the Vikings’ lineup on Sunday. The only way Minnesota’s situation could be more comically broken would be if Mike Lindell runs for quarterback.

Pick: Commanders by 3

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell speaks during a news conference outside the Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse in Denver on June 2, 2025, before the first day of trial in a defamation case against him. Former Dominion Voting Systems executive Eric Coomer sued Lindell for defamation, tying back to claims the MyPillow founder made about fraud in the 2020 presidential election. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)

Broncos at Raiders (+7½)

Former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin raised many eyebrows by bolting from Mississippi to LSU for a contract starting at $91 million. It’s a record sum ever paid for a “con man” and a “professional liar.”

Pick: Broncos by 14

Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders yells instructions to players during the first half fo the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saptember 14, 2008 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Eagles at Chargers (+2½)

Irate fans last week egged the home of Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. For those not familiar, egging is how you show disdain when you’re not clever enough to call somebody Piggy or the R-word.

Pick: Eagles by 3

President Donald Trump listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Bears at Packers (-6½)

Windy City fans are ecstatic about Caleb Williams and their first-place Bears. The sophomore quarterback is the most popular man in town, though he won’t be a truly authentic Chicago icon until he’s indicted.

Pick: Packers by 3

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams throws against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Steelers at Ravens (-5½)

These two 6-6 mediocrities are battling for first place in the AFC North. Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked so feeble by the end of last week’s game that team officials may nominate Kamala Harris to finish the race.

Pick: Ravens by 7

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) gets up after being sacked during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Seahawks at Falcons (+7½)

Former Atlanta kicker Younghoe Koo made headlines by whiffing on a field-goal attempt for New England. War Secretary Pete Hegseth was critical, saying he would have ordered Koo to go back and double tap the football.

Pick: Seahawks by 14

Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo (7) works during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta. The New Orleans Saints won 21-16. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

Titans at Browns (-4½)

Cleveland has opened up the 21-day practice window for injured pariah Deshaun Watson. The move shocked observers who felt there was no way the Browns could make a worse quarterback choice than Shedeur Sanders.

Pick: Browns by 7

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks on after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cowboys defeated the Browns 33-17. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Texans at Chiefs (-3½)

Travis Kelce requested team staffers refrain from playing Taylor Swift songs during home games. Chiefs players would find the tunes too distracting over the next month while planning their early January vacations in Cancun.

Pick: Chiefs by 3

Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with Taylor Swift after a 17-10 victory against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium on Jan. 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Dolphins at Jets (+2½)

Miami has somehow avoided elimination by rattling off a three-game winning streak. Coach Mike McDaniel has been dropped to No. 2 by Las Vegas oddsmakers for Person Most Likely to Be Fired, falling behind Kash Patel.

Pick: Dolphins by 3

FILE – Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, left, and head coach Mike McDaniel take questions during an NFL football news conference on April 25, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol, File)

Bengals at Bills (-5½)

Cincinnati is still clinging to longshot playoff hopes despite a 4-8 record. Fans in southern Ohio and northern Kentucky haven’t been this excited since the invention of moonshine.

Pick: Bills by 3

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, bottom, goes down with a season-ruining turf toe injury as he is sacked by Jacksonville’s Arik Armstead during last Sunday’s game in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

OTHER GAMES

Colts at Jaguars (+1½)

Pick: Jaguars by 3

Saints at Buccaneers (-8½)

Pick: Buccaneers by 7

Rams at Cardinals (+8½)

Pick: Rams by 10

BYE WEEK

Panthers, Patriots, Giants, 49ers

RECORD

Week 13

10-6 straight up

11-5 vs. spread

Season

122-71-1 straight up (.632)

97-97 vs. spread (.500)

All-time (2003-25)

3941-2172-15 straight up (.645)

3008-2976-145 vs spread (.503)

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.

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