Vikings at Lions (-2½)
Minnesota has shocked the world so far, posting the NFL’s only perfect record at 6-0 despite a meager offense. While their defense has been strong, the Vikings’ early perfection has been harder to figure out than Ilhan Omar’s family tree.
Pick: Lions by 3
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 25: Members of the Minnesota Vikings defense celebrate after an interception by Harrison Smith #22 against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Patriots at Dolphins (+6½)
Miami rookie RB Ollie Gordon II is having a breakout season, racking up 203 yards and a TD in the Dolphins’ initial win over the equally putrid Jets. He runs with power, and his surprising speed has been compared to that of Michelle Tafoya running away from Donald Trump.
Pick: Patriots by 7
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 25: Ollie Gordon II #0 of the Miami Dolphins in action during the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 25, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Chargers at Rams (-6½)
Southern California’s disappointments meet in their mutual home, SoFi Stadium. But Jim Harbaugh’s team has proven so inept, this ugly matchup would fit better in a Saddam Hussein-designed Cheesecake Factory.
Pick: Rams by 7
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 18: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers watches a replay challenge in the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 18, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Browns at Steelers (-3½)
Stephen A. Smith this week raised eyebrows by declaring Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson should be the NFL’s “comeback player of the year.” His comment led to an all-time ESPN record for uncomfortable silence.
Pick: Steelers by 7
Stephen A. Smith speaks on stage as Stephen A. Smith and Christopher Russo host SiriusXM shows live from Fanatics Fest at Javits Center on July 17, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Mendez/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Chiefs at Broncos (+1½)
Kansas City’s Harrison Butker continues to flail, as he has now missed 31 percent of his field goal attempts, the fourth-worst accuracy in the league. The Chiefs haven’t been this disenchanted with their kicker since the last time he expressed an opinion.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 25: Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after missing a field goal during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images)
Pick: Chiefs by 3
Falcons at Buccaneers (-2½)
The Falcons were torched online after they posted a new throwback logo that critics claimed resembled 1930’s Nazi imagery. It’s almost certainly the last time they take artistic advice from Kanye West.
Pick: Falcons by 3
FILE – An aerial view of San Francisco 49ers offense and Atlanta Falcons defense at the midfield logo during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)
Cardinals at Cowboys (-6½)
Lifelong Cowboys fan Jay-Z made headlines during Dallas’ Monday night win when he was announced as the halftime headliner for Super Bowl LXI. The NFL’s Live Music and Entertainment Strategist chose himself for the honor after asking himself “What would Dick Cheney do?”
Pick: Cowboys by 8
FILE – Jay-Z gestures from the sidelines prior to the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
Titans at Bengals (-10½)
Tennessee quickly cut defensive lineman Jordan Elliott last week after he retrieved a gun from his car during a dispute with a teammate. The move surprised many Titans watchers who didn’t realize the team had any standards.
Pick: Bengals by 17
FILE – Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Jordan Elliott (95) walks to the locker room at halftime of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)
Colts at Jaguars (-7½)
Indianapolis made headlines Tuesday by trading away two star linemen, Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner. The Colts probably won’t completely strip their roster because they don’t want to be as ridiculed as, say, the 2025 Twins.
Pick: Jaguars by 16
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) moves against Minnesota Vikings center Blake Brandel (64) during an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Raiders at Jets (+1½)
Jets coach Aaron Glenn stressed that getting the ball to star receiver Garrett Wilson is a “top priority” after their shocking loss to winless Miami. But Glenn has a much more pressing priority: Making sure the door doesn’t hit him in the heinie.
Pick: Raiders by 3
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn chats with New York Jets free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
OTHER GAMES
Ravens at Bills (-3½)
Pick: Bills by 7
Eagles at Commanders (-3½)
Pick: Commanders by 7
Bears at Seahawks (-3½)
Pick: Seahawks by 3
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates with quarterback Sam Darnold (14) after catching a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Rio Giancarlo)
BYES
Texans, Saints, Giants, 49ers
RECORD
Week 7
8-6 straight up
6-8 vs. spread
Season
61-45-1 straight up (.575)
49-58 vs. spread (.458)
All-time (2003-26)
4052-2258-16 straight up (.642)
3096-3086-144 vs spread (.501)
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.