Vikings at Rams (+1½)

The bad Sam Darnold returned in all his splendor last Sunday night in Detroit as the Vikings’ quarterback failed and they lost their bid for the NFC’s top seed. Minnesotans haven’t been this disappointed and embarrassed watching one of their local favorites since their governor ran for vice president.

Pick: Vikings by 3

Packers at Eagles (-4½)

Both teams have issues at quarterback with Philly’s Jalen Hurts in the concussion protocol and Green Bay’s Jordan Love dealing with an elbow injury. Yet at the moment, either team would much prefer its hobbled QB to … say … Sam Darnold.

Pick: Eagles by 7

Commanders at Buccaneers (-3)

Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans caught a last-minute pass during garbage time to reach the 1,000-yard receiving mark for a record-tying 11th consecutive season. It was such a shameless, gratuitous and obvious example of stat padding that it was roundly applauded by Brett Favre and Michael Strahan.

Pick: Commanders by 3

Broncos at Bills (-8½)

Denver earned a surprise playoff berth in Week 18 after Chiefs coach Andy Reid benched most of his starters. The 38-0 blowout hIt a low point late in the game when Carson Wentz was unable to complete a pass attempt to The State Farm Dude.

Pick: Bills by 11

Steelers at Ravens (-9½)

Pittsburgh comes in on a four-game losing streak against a team that routed them in Week 17. The Steelers came into this season having won 6 of 7 in this heated rivalry, but that was before they made Russell Wilson their quarterback.

Pick: Ravens by 11

Chargers at Texans (+3)

Houston is a home underdog after winning the motley AFC South Division, the NFL’s weakest link. With bottom dwellers Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Tennessee, the South has the worst collection of alleged talent since the Golden Globe Awards.

Pick: Chargers by 11

Record

Week 18

11-5 straight up

8-8 vs. spread

Season

192-80 straight up (.706)

152-120 vs. spread (.559)

All-time (2003-25)

3823-2100-14 straight up (.645)

2912-2881-144 vs spread (.503)

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.