The Loop NFL Picks: Week 16

Vikings at Giants (+2½)

Snoop Dogg is coming to Minneapolis to headline the halftime show for the Vikings’ Christmas game against Detroit. The hip hop icon doesn’t have much in common with Minnesota’s NFL team because Snoop makes it to the Super Bowl every year.
Pick: Vikings by 7

Chiefs at Titans (+3½)

Patrick Mahomes is done for the season after blowing out his knee in the Chiefs’ season-killing loss to the Chargers. While replays showed the K.C. QB’s injury was caused by an awkward sack, the president insisted it was caused by Trump Derangement Syndrome.
Pick: Chiefs by 7

Chargers at Cowboys (-1½)

Jim Harbaugh expressed concern for former assistant Sherrone Moore, who was fired and arrested over an alleged illicit affair with a Michigan underling. The Chargers’ coach was not blindsided by the scandal, however, as he had gotten warning signals from Connor Stallions.
Pick: Chargers by 3

Jaguars at Broncos (-3½)

Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence had his career-best game last Sunday with five touchdown passes and one TD run. The quarterback’s day was capped wonderfully when he received a congratulatory phone call from his identical twin Fabio.
Pick: Broncos by 3

Jets at Saints (-4½)

The quarterback-needy Jets reportedly are targeting Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza in this spring’s NFL draft. Landing in the swamps of Jersey would be even more heartbreaking for the Heisman Trophy winner than the Hoosiers’ upcoming playoff loss.
Pick: Saints by 7

Patriots at Ravens (-2½)

New England coach Mike Vrabel complained about the officiating after his Pats blew a 21-point lead to Buffalo. It’s a big departure from team policy because Stefan Diggs is usually in charge of the Patriots’ whining.
Pick: Ravens by 3

Steelers at Lions (-6½)

Pittsburgh routed Miami to win its record 23rd straight Monday Night Football home game. The Steelers last lost on MNF back in 1991, when Aaron Rodgers was just a 7-year-old narcissist.
Pick: Lions by 7

Raiders at Texans (-14½)

Las Vegas’ Pete Carroll says he does not feel his head coaching job is in jeopardy despite an eight-game losing streak. The Raiders’ season has been such a debacle that Bill Belichick thinks Carroll is over the hill.
Pick: Texans by 17

Bengals at Dolphins (-1½)

Newly benched Tua Tagovailoa was criticized for laughing on the sideline during the loss in Pittsburgh that ended Miami’s playoff hopes. The NFL leader in interceptions cannot help chuckling when recalling how the Dolphins re-signed him for another $212 million.
Pick: Bengals by 3

49ers at Colts (+5½)

Philip Rivers’ return from retirement will delay his expected entry into the Pro Football Hall of fame until at least 2031. By then, he’ll have a tough time deciding which one of his two dozen children will give the induction speech.
Pick: Colts by 3

OTHER GAMES

Bills at Browns (+9½)
Pick: Bills by 17

Buccaneers at Panthers (+2½)
Pick: Buccaneers by 3

Falcons at Cardinals (+2½)
Pick: Falcons by 3

RECORD

Week 15
7-9 straight up
4-12 vs. spread

Season
137-86-1 straight up (.614)
109-115 vs. spread (.487)

All-time (2003-25)
3956-2187-15 straight up (.644)
3020-2994-145 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.