Week 2 – Twin Cities

Every Thursday, Kevin Cusick makes his predictions against the latest Las Vegas point spread, the way God intended …

Vikings at Packers (+1):
Danica Patrick praised Aaron Rodgers’ season-opening Sunday night comeback, calling her boyfriend’s performance “unreal, baby!” The Lambeau Field finish was a strange experience for the auto racer, as she’s so unaccustomed to celebrating victory.
Pick: Vikings by 4

Danica Patrick stands with her mother Bev Patrick, left, sister, Brooke Selman and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers before the start of the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in Indianapolis Sunday, May 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Raiders at Broncos (-6):
Jon Gruden’s big return was flagged big-time, as his Raiders were called for 10 penalties worth 145 yards just in the first half. In California history, the only team penalized more frequently is the Manson family.
Pick: Broncos by 7

Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden talks to referees during a time out during their game against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter of their NFL game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group/TNS)

Panthers at Falcons (-6):
Cam Newton led the Panthers in Week 1 with 13 carries, and he faked to Christian McCaffrey before running into the end zone for their first touchdown against Dallas. It’s more proof that the Carolina QB starts himself on all of his own fantasy teams.
Pick: Falcons by 3

Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton (1) scrambles past Dallas Cowboys’ Randy Gregory (94) and Dorance Armstrong (92) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

Browns at Saints (-9):
The Browns’ opening tie against Pittsburgh gives the Browns their hottest start to a season since 2004. That’s noteworthy because most of the people who were living in Cleveland at that time, in the 14 years since, have wisely relocated.
Pick: Saints by 7

Cleveland Browns defensive back Damarious Randall (23) reaches but can’t get to the ball during overtime in an NFL football game against Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19), Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Cleveland. The Browns and the Steelers tied at 21-21. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Chargers at Bills (+7½):
The Bills are switching to rookie Josh Allen at quarterback, coach Sean McDermott says, because it’s “the right move for our team.” Nathan Peterman returns to the bench, where he will stay until the Buffalo offensive line gets Allen maimed.
Pick: Chargers by 17

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) scrambles with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Lions at 49ers (-6):
Some Jets defenders claimed they knew what plays the Detroit Lions were running during their Monday night rout. It’s not known whether they just did a great job of studying Matthew Stafford, or whether they sneaked a bugging device into Lions coach Matt Patricia’s beard.
Pick: 49ers by 8

Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia on the sidelines during 48-17 loss to the New York Jets Monday, September 10, 2018, at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/TNS)

Dolphins at Jets (-3):
Thanks to lightning and storm delays, the struggling Dolphins’ seven-hour victory over Tennessee was the longest game in NFL history. By the marathon game’s end, the stadium was nearly empty … which is a few thousand Dolphins fans less than usual.
Pick: Jets by 7

Tennessee Titans players leave the field after a second lightning delay was called during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Eagles at Buccaneers (+3):
Ryan Fitzpatrick shocked the world in New Orleans by passing for 417 yards and accounting for five touchdowns. Still, Jameis Winston is likely to regain his quarterback job in a few weeks unless he gropes yet another Uber driver.
Pick: Eagles by 7

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) walks off the field after defeating the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. The Buccaneers won 48-40. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Giants at Cowboys (-3):
Outcast receiver Dez Bryant trolled his old team after their Week 1 loss to Carolina, adding heat to the already-boiling animosity. It’s now likely the Cowboys will try to sign Terrell Owens, Drew Pearson or the corpse of Bob Hayes before considering Bryant’s return.
Pick: Cowboys by 6

FILE – In this Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, file photo, Dallas Cowboys’ Dez Bryant warms up before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Arlington, Texas. Free-agent wide receiver Bryant took to social media Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, to call out his former team with a series of critical tweets aimed at the Dallas Cowboys. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)

Seahawks at Bears (-3½):
Windy CIty fans were stunned by the Bears’ opening choke, blowing a 20-point lead to Green Bay and limping Aaron Rodgers. Analytics experts say it’s the worst choke by a Chicago team since the 1909-2015 Cubs.
Pick: Bears by 7

Colts at Redskins (-6):
Indy QB Andrew Luck raised eyebrows by admitting that a shoulder injury he had was caused by a snowboarding crash. It’s certain, though, that Luck is finished taking part in that sport, as he is finished taking part in postseason football games.
Pick: Redskins by 7

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson (90) and defensive back Shawn Williams (36) during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. Williams was disqualified for his hit on Luck. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

OTHER GAMES
Ravens at Bengals (+1):
Pick: Bengals by 3

Texans at Titans (+3):
Pick: Texans by 7

Chiefs at Steelers (-4):
Pick: Chiefs by 3

Cardinals at Rams (-12½):
Pick: Rams by 17

Patriots at Jaguars (+1½):
Pick: Jaguars by 3

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Blake Bortles (5) runs away from New York Giants’ Ray-Ray Armstrong (55) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

RECORD
Week 1:
Straight up 6-9-1, vs. spread 4-12
All-time record (2003-18):
Straight up 2582-1432-7 (.643), vs. spread 1969-1932-120 (.505)

Another proud Northwestern moment. (File photo)