Packers at Steelers (+3½)
Estranged quarterback Aaron Rodgers is back at Lambeau Field to face his old team. Green Bay moving on from its QB in favor of young Jordan Love may be the greatest example of addition by subtraction since Jennifer Lopez dumped Alex Rodriguez.
Pick: Packers by 7
Titans at Colts (-14½)
Former Minnesota backup Daniel Jones has Indianapolis at an NFL-leading 6-1. It’s a stark reminder that the 2024 Vikings had two quarterbacks much better than J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz.
Pick: Colts by 17
49ers at Texans (+1½)
The Niners this week cut veteran receiver Marques Valdez-Scantling. If this is the end of the road for the former Packers wideout, he ends his career with 209 receptions and the NFL record for Scrabble name score.
Pick: 49ers by 10
Dolphins at Falcons (-7½)
Donald Trump reportedly is considering a pardon of Diddy after commuting the prison sentence of former GOP representative George Santos. Despite the president’s newfound affection for clemency, he has no plans to pardon Miami’s criminally bad coach, general manager or quarterback.
Pick: Falcons by 21
Buccaneers at Saints (+5½)
Tampa Bay is tied for the NFC lead despite losing in Detroit on Monday night. The Bucs’ schedule is so favorable the rest of the season that they might be able to clinch a playoff berth before Ghislaine Maxwell’s Christmas Eve pardon.
Pick: Buccaneers by 7
Commanders at Chiefs (-10½)
Kansas City’s Andy Reid is coming off the first regular-season shutout of his NFL career. The Chiefs’ coach, though, is much more proud of never getting shut out at Pizza Ranch.
Pick: Chiefs by 9
Bills at Panthers (+7½)
Carolina is a surprising 4-3 thanks, in large part, to an easy early schedule. Tar Heel State fans will no doubt start paying more attention to the young Panthers once they get bored with making fun of Bill Belichick.
Pick: Bills by 11
Cowboys at Broncos (-3½)
Former Denver quarterback Russell Wilson called Sean Payton “classless” after his postgame comments last Sunday. While Wilson made his point, it had little effect on the Denver coach who, in the fourth quarter against Wilson’s Giants, made 33 points.
Pick: Broncos by 7
Giants at Eagles (-7½)
New Jersey’s own Bruce Springsteen is the subject of a new biopic opening this week. The film about the rock legend lasts about 120 minutes, which is enough time for the Meadowlands Giants to give up 264 points.
Pick: Eagles by 17
Browns at Patriots (-7½)
Cleveland routed Miami last week thanks to another big game from rookie running back Quinshon Judkins. It’s looking increasingly likely that the Browns’ Most Valuable Player this season will be Judkins’ lawyer.
Pick: Patriots by 11
Other games
Jets at Bengals (-6½)
Pick: Bengals by 7
Bears at Ravens (-6½)
Pick: Ravens by 3
Bye week
Cardinals, Lions, Jaguars, L.A. Rams, Raiders, Seahawks
Record
Week 7
11-4 straight up
10-5 vs. spread
Season
65-42-1 straight up (.607)
55-53 vs. spread (.509)
All-time (2003-25)
3884-2143-15 straight up (.644)
2965-2932-145 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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