The Loop NFL Picks: Week 11

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

Cowboys at Vikings (+1):

Gloves that the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson wore during last Sunday’s classic victory in Buffalo will be displayed at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In Canton, they will join other historic Vikings artifacts such as Jim Marshall’s wrong-way cleats, Fran Tarkenton’s helmet and Onterrio Smith’s Whizzinator. Pick: Cowboys by 3

Justin Jefferson (#18 of the Minnesota Vikings) catches a pass in front of Cam Lewis (#39 of the Buffalo Bills) during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Isaiah Vazquez / Getty Images) Commanders at Texans (+2½):

Washington handed the unbeaten Eagles their first loss Monday night thanks to a couple of questionable officiating calls. The striped crew would have faced severe discipline from the league had they not been overshadowed by the incompetents officiating the Vikings-Bills game. Pick: Commanders by 5

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) gets tackled by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) during the NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) Jets at Patriots (-2½):

If the season ended today, these two teams would be playoff bound along with the entire AFC East Division. It’s just as Nostradamus predicted as his pre-Armageddon pick in 1554 on MIddle Age FanDuel. Pick: Jets by 3

Bill Belichick, left, the new head coach of the New York Jets, holds a Jets football helmet with Steve Gutman, president of the Jets, following a news conference at the Jets’ headquarters in Hempstead, N.Y., Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1997. (AP Photo/Adam Nadel) Panthers at Ravens (-12½):

Estranged quarterback Baker Mayfield became a viral hit by head-butting his helmeted teammates with his bare brow near the end of their Week 10 victory. Carolina coach Steve Wilks then named Mayfield the starter, an indication that Wilks also has suffered too many blows to the head. Pick: Ravens by 20

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield warms up before an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) Browns at Bills (-9½):

Sunday’s game was moved to Detroit because of a snowmageddon heading to Buffalo with up to 4 feet of snow. This means the Bills will have to spend consecutive weeks playing in Detroit, which is considered a great step up only for people who live in Buffalo. Pick: Bills by 11

Fans arrive at Ford Field before an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) Lions at Giants (-3½):

New York coach Brian Daboll apologized after being caught on camera directing a fiery rant at his offensive linemen during last Sunday’s game. Folks who know Daboll well say they haven’t seen him that upset since he first noticed he was losing his hair, back in the sixth grade. Pick: Giants by 3

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Eagles at Colts (+7½):

Former ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday got back at his many critics by winning his first game as Indy’s interim coach. His triumph has so changed the landscape that, if the Eagles manage to lose their second in a row, Philly coach Nick Sirianni will end up being replaced by Mina Kimes Pick: Eagles by 11

Indianapolis Colts head coach Jeff Saturday warms up before a NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Nov 13, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) 49ers vs Cardinals (+7½):

Monday night’s NFC West showdown will take place in front of 87,000 fans in Mexico City. In honor of this special setting, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray plans to curse out his coach, Kliff Kingsbury, only in Spanish. Pick: 49ers by 3

FILE – The flags of Mexico and the United States cover the field before an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, in Mexico City. The NFL returns to Mexico City on Monday, Nov. 21, 2022, when Arizona Cardinals play the San Francisco 49ers. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, File) Rams at Saints (-3½):

Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp could miss the rest of the season after undergoing ankle surgery. So this means he will likely have an even less positive impact on the Rams’ final six games than Aaron Donald has had on the first nine. Pick: Rams by 3

The Rams’ Cooper Kupp (10) reacts after being hit by Marco Wilson of the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Harry How/Getty Images) Raiders at Broncos (-2½):

Raiders owner Mark Davis praised embattled coach Josh McDaniels, saying he’s doing a great job despite Las Vegas’ sad 2-7 record. Such a vote of confidence from Davis is rare as he usually saves such praise for the blind man who cuts his hair. Pick: Broncos by 3

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis looks on before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) OTHER GAMES

Bears at Falcons (-3½): Pick: Bears by 3

Chiefs at Chargers (+6½): Pick: Chiefs by 8

Bengals at Steelers (+4½): Pick: Bengals by 8

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs for a 65 yard touchdown against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks) BYES

Jaguars, Dolphins, Seahawks, Buccaneers

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) gives a thumbs up in the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) RECORD

Week 10: 7-7 straight up; 9-5 vs. spreadSeason: 89-60-1 straight up (.597); 74-76 vs. spread (.493)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) runs against Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr., middle, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

Mr. Cusick, as he is called by his friends, has been a Pioneer Press staffer since latter days of Reagan administration (March 1987). Born on the mean streets of Brooklyn, raised on the mean streets of the Iron Range, educated on the mean streets of Northwestern’s campus and now living on the mean streets of Woodbury. Responsible for nearly all Loop commentary and NFL picks in the Pioneer Press since 2003. One-time sports radio fantasy football guru. Occasional sidekick on Bob Sansevere’s award-winning podcast. Alumnus of Little Flower School (East Flatbush, NY), Roosevelt High School (Virginia, MN), Huntington (WV) Herald-Dispatch and Greenville (SC) News. Proud member of the Bald Brotherhood.