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The Loop NFL Picks: Week 13

Vikings at Seahawks (-10½)

Ex-Gopher Max Brosmer likely replaces the concussed J.J. McCarthy for his first NFL start for this grudge match against former Vikings QB Sam Darnold. McCarthy has been playing so poorly lately that Vikings fans have started referring to him by a new nickname: Spurgeon Wynn.

Pick: Seahawks by 24

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer (12) during warmups before the start of a NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Saints at Dolphins (-5½)

New Orleans on Monday brought in unemployed kicker Justin Tucker for a workout. Saints officials decided to invite the former Baltimore standout because Deshaun Watson, Harvey Weinstein and Diddy were unavailable.

Pick: Dolphins by 7

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 01: Justin Tucker #9 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during the third quarter after missing his third kick of the night against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. Philadelphia defeated Baltimore 24-19. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Texans at Colts (-3½)

Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones is hoping to play Sunday despite a broken fibula. While the leg injury sounds serious, it’s not as debilitating as the bone spurs that kept Donald Trump out of the draft.

Pick: Texans by 3

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 23: Daniel Jones #17 of the Indianapolis Colts slides after a scramble in the third quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

49ers at Browns (+5½)

Shedeur Sanders gets his second NFL start after a surprisingly solid outing in the Browns’ victory in Las Vegas. The first win for Deion’s son was especially shocking to St. Paul-based pundits who managed to go only 2-12 against the spread last week.

Pick: 49ers by 7

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns makes a pass in the game against Jamal Adams #33 of the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

Rams at Panthers (+10½)

Carolina’s Tre’Von Moehrig has been suspended for a late-game punch to the groin area of San Francisco’s Jauan Jennings. The Panthers’ safety reportedly resorted to the cheap shot after asking himself “What would Bobby ‘The Brain” Heenan do?”

Pick: Rams by 8

Carolina Panthers safety Tre'von Moehrig reacts after an interception against the San Francisco 49ers in the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)

Bills at Steelers (+3½)

Pittsburgh defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale has been suspended for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. While the league did not specify what Ekuale was taking, it wasn’t any of the countless substances being used by the Steelers’ quarterback.

Pick: Bills by 7

Pittsburgh Steelers' Daniel Ekuale is hurt during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Falcons at Jets (+2½)

New York quarterback Justin Fields says that his recent benching took him by surprise. The career disappointment hasn’t been this shocked since his Jets’ last nine losses.

Pick: Falcons by 7

Justin Fields (7), quarterback de los Jets de Nueva York, hace ejercicios de estiramiento, previo al partido de la NFL en contra de los Ravens de Baltimore, el domingo 23 de noviembre de 2025, en Baltimore. (AP Foto/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Raiders at Chargers (-9½)

Las Vegas QB Geno Smith apologized to Raider Nation after flipping the bird to fans during their Week 12 loss to lowly Cleveland. The apology was accepted by the millions in Raider Nation who make that same gesture a dozen times per day.

Pick: Chargers by 17

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Geno Smith #7 of the Las Vegas Raiders reacts after an incomplete pass in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

Giants at Patriots (-7½)

Jameis Winston raised eyebrows last week by both throwing a touchdown pass and catching one. The varied usage of the comical veteran quarterback could be an indication that Giants interim coach Mike Kafka is heavily medicated.

Pick: Patriots by 11

New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (19) runs the ball for a touchdown after he makes a reception against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

Cardinals at Buccaneers (-3½)

Baker Mayfield has a sprained joint in his non-throwing shoulder. Whether the Bucs’ quarterback plays Sunday will be determined by his pain tolerance, which was severely tested previously during his four years living and working in Cleveland, Ohio.

Pick: Buccaneers by 3

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 23: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves the field after his team was defeated by the Los Angeles Rams in the game at SoFi Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

OTHER GAMES

Jaguars at Titans (+6½)

Pick: Jaguars by 7

Broncos at Commanders (+6½)

Pick: Broncos by 7

RECORD

Week 12

10-4 straight up

2-12 vs. spread

Season

112-65-1 straight up (.633)

86-92 vs. spread (.483)

All-time (2003-25)

3931-2166-15 straight up (.645)

2997-2971-145 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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