We’re safely between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so it’s officially OK to resume talking about cousins as a break from conversing with them.
Of course, the NFL’s capital “C” variety, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, has inspired about as much chatter as any 6-6 signal-caller can during his first season in the ATL.
Why not? He’s the same guy to throw for seven combined touchdowns against zero interceptions during victories in Weeks 8 and 9, then go for zero scoring passes and six picks during Atlanta’s current three-game skid.
On Sunday, Cousins faces a road test against his former team, the 10-2 Minnesota Vikings, whose defense boasts an NFL-leading 18 interceptions.
Can the veteran regroup, or will he produce another effort that’s for the birds? Wait a minute; shouldn’t that expression go to that NFC West tangle between the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks?
Let’s get talking with some picks for Week 14.
FALCONS AT VIKINGS, 1 P.M. ET
There’s no doubt Cousins is pumped to take on his employer of six seasons, especially after an injury-shortened 2023 in purple, but he kept an even keel when addressing the media this week.
Why should you think he’ll bounce back against the Vikings? For one thing, the Minnesota secondary is not at full strength, with cornerback Stephon Gilmore out with a hamstring injury he sustained during last week’s narrow home win against Arizona.
How about juju for another? The Vikings narrowly escaped the Chicago Bears and Cardinals in the past two weeks and now face a QB adept at throwing TDs in U.S. Bank Stadium in clutch situations.
Kirk Cousins over 1.5 passing touchdowns, +110 (BetMGM)
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BEARS AT 49ERS, 4:25 P.M. ET
Chicago professional sports franchises whiffed on the first chance to sustain the “new coach bump” theory this weekend when the NHL’s Blackhawks lost Saturday to the visiting Winnipeg Jets in their first game under interim bench boss Anders Sorensen.
To many Bears backers, the Thomas Brown era represents a gain in great part because the franchise finally jettisoned the clock-mismanaging, player tirade-absorbing Matt Eberflus.
Mix in the many missing or hobbled pieces for San Francisco—Nick Bosa, Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason, and Trent Williams, among others—and this could be the Bears’ best chance to win since … the Thanksgiving debacle in Detroit.
Don’t worry about Chicago’s 15 losses against the spread in its past 23 games as a road underdog. Caleb Williams is steadily improving, and the energy surrounding a needed change at the top is real.
Bears +3.5, -110 (BetMGM)
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CHARGERS AT CHIEFS, 8:20 P.M. ET
Just as the Bears bumble at the end of games, so do the Chiefs conquer.
Turns out the Black Friday matinee in Kansas City was only bleak for the Silver and Black, as the Raiders endured an illegal shift penalty, botched shotgun snap and fumble in the closing moments while driving for a would-be winning field goal.
A far more polished—and playoff-contending—AFC West foe comes calling Sunday night, with KC needing a victory for its ninth consecutive division crown. One way to neutralize the Chargers’ improved attack: staying balanced on offense and helping running back Isiah Pacheco build momentum for the playoffs.
Back in the lineup after recovering from an ankle injury that sidelined him for much of the season, Pacheco had a 34-yard run against the Raiders, the Chiefs’ longest rush this season. He expects to get an increased workload Sunday and moving forward, which bodes well against an LA defense that allows 4.6 yards per carry and has yielded 100-yard rushers in back-to-back weeks.
Isiah Pacheco over 65.5 rushing and receiving yards, -115 (BetMGM)
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