Steelers at Browns (+3½)

Pittsburgh’s D.K. Metcalf could lose as much as $45 million in contractual guarantees after being suspended for smacking a blue-haired Lions fan during last Sunday’s game. The only way you could lose that much money more quickly would be by purchasing $TRUMP meme coins.
Pick: Steelers by 7

Patriots at Jets (+13½)

New England rallied past Baltimore last week and kept alive its hopes of getting the No. 1 seed and hosting the AFC championship game. That contest will air next month on CBS unless it’s pulled at the last second by Bari Weiss.
Pick: Patriots by 24

Jaguars at Colts (+6½)

The ageless Philip Rivers played well again, but Indianapolis lost again Monday night and destroyed its playoff hopes. The sudden demise of a team that started 7-1 is due to the fact the rest of the Colts have been playing like they are 44 years old.
Pick: Jaguars by 7

Seahawks at Panthers (+7½)

Carolina is battling equally unimpressive Tampa Bay for first place in the motley NFC South. That division is going to produce the most pathetic winner of 2026, at least until the Minnesota governor’s race.
Pick: Seahawks by 7

Bears at 49ers (-2½)

The 49ers are as hot as anyone and have a decent shot at playing in Super Bowl LX on their home field in Santa Clara. That would give them a ringside seat for the halftime spectacular when ICE agents try to haul away Bad Bunny fans.
Pick: 49ers by 3

Eagles at Bills (-1½)

The Bills’ Josh Allen gifted his offensive linemen “a quarter of a cow” worth of beef for a Christmas gift. Fortunately for the players who live in Buffalo, they will be able to store the holiday beef outside their homes until late April.
Pick: Bills by 3

Rams at Falcons (+7½)

The Rams lost in Seattle on an unbelievable backward-lateral call on a key two-point conversion by the Seahawks. The uproar from Los Angeles fans only grew after the officials’ explanation for the controversial call was redacted by the Justice Department.
Pick: Rams by 3

Giants at Raiders (-1½)

The NFL’s bottom dwellers, both 2-13, are likely playing for the right to draft the No. 1 pick this spring. Either way the game turns out, the big loser will likely be Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Pick: Raiders by 4

Buccaneers at Dolphins (+5½)

Third-year running back De’Von Achane, who’s third in the league with 1,267 rushing yards, learned Monday that he’s the only Miami player selected for the Pro Bowl Games. NFL insiders report that nobody’s interested, and nobody cares.
Pick: Buccaneers by 7

OTHER GAMES

Cardinals at Bengals (-7½)
Pick: Bengals by 3

Saints at Titans (+2½)
Pick: Saints by 7

RECORD

Week 15
8-8 straight up
7-9 vs. spread

Season
145-94-1 straight up (.607)
116-124 vs. spread (.483)

All-time (2003-25)
3964-2195-15 straight up (.644)
3027-3003-145 vs spread (.502)

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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