Pro Picks is a weekly column in which AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games. To see all of our previous pro picks, head here.
Easton Stick will be the latest backup to make his first start in a season filled with injuries to high-profile quarterbacks.
Justin Herbert joins a growing list of signal-callers who have suffered season-ending injuries, paving the way for Stick to make his first career start Thursday night when the Los Angeles Chargers (5-8) visit the Las Vegas Raiders (5-8).
Steck came off the bench after Herbert went down in a loss to Denver last week and completed 13 of 24 passes for 179 yards.
Political cartoon
The Raiders have lost three in a row after interim coach Antonio Pierce won his first two games. Aidan O’Connell and the offense couldn’t do anything in the 3-0 loss to Minnesota and Pierce won’t say Wednesday if veteran Jimmy Garoppolo will start against Los Angeles.
The Raiders are three-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Pro Picks looks to continue their winning ways on Thursday nights and will take on the road team.
Disruption Specific: Chargers, 20-17
The Desmond Ridder-Drake London connection is heating up for the Falcons (6-7). Atlanta can’t ignore the hapless Panthers (1-12) with first place very much in play.
Line: Bengal minus 3 1/2
The Vikings (7-6) are switching to their fourth quarterback, from Joshua Dobbs to Nick Mullins. Jake Browning saved the season for the Bengals (7-6) after Joe Burrow went down. Cincinnati scored 34 points in back-to-back wins.
Pittsburgh at Indianapolis
Mitch Trubisky will make his second straight start filling in for injured QB Kenny Pickett and the Steelers (7-6) aim to bounce back from back-to-back losses to teams that entered with two wins. They may be without star edge rusher TJ Watt. The Colts (7-6) had a four-game winning streak snapped last week, but they are in the middle of the AFC wild-card race.
The Broncos (7-6) have won six of seven to move within one game of leader Kansas City in the AFC West. Russell Wilson could have a big day against a defense that has allowed an average of 29.8 points over the past five weeks. The Lions (9-4) have a comfortable lead in the NFC North, but their shaky defense is a major concern.
The line: Packers minus 3 1/2
Baker Mayfield’s last-minute layup against Atlanta put the Buccaneers (6-7) atop the weak NFC South. Now, they have to find a way to win another road game against a team fighting for a wild-card spot. The Packers (6-7) are on a short week after being on the wrong end of Tommy DeVito leading the Giants to a comeback win on Monday night.
With Joe Flacco providing a steady hand at linebacker as well as the team’s stingy defense, the Browns (8-5) have a chance to put some pressure on the AFC North-leading Ravens. They can’t afford to slip up against the improved Bears (5-8). Justin Fields led Chicago to back-to-back wins.
Line: Dolphins minus 8 1/2
After a huge collapse in the final minutes Monday night against Tennessee, the Dolphins (9-4) can’t afford to give up on another inferior opponent. Zach Wilson is coming off his best game for the Jets (5-8) and they still cling to slight playoff hopes.
New York Giants in New Orleans
DeVito has turned into a folk hero after leading the Giants (5-8) to three straight wins to put them one game behind a host of teams in the NFC Wild Card race. Derek Carr and the Saints (6-7) catch New York on a short week. New Orleans has covered the spread just twice in the past eight games.
Coming off an improbable win in Miami on Monday night, Will Levis and the Titans (5-8) look to spoil Houston’s playoff hopes. The Texans (7-6) have lost two of three and QB CJ Stroud to the concussion protocol. If he doesn’t play, Tennessee has the upper hand.
Kansas City in New England
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs (8-5) are frustrated after two straight losses. Bill Belichick’s Patriots (3-10) had a few extra days to prepare after Thursday night’s win.
The 49ers (10-3) have taken over the top seed in the NFC, but they can’t look forward to a prime-time game against the Ravens on Christmas. San Francisco has been favored by at least 13 points twice in the past four games and has not covered the deficit either time. The Cardinals (3-10) are 1-2-2 against the spread as double-digit underdogs in their past 10 games.
Washington at Los Angeles Rams
The surprising Rams (6-7) moved into the NFC Wild Card race by winning three straight before an overtime loss in Baltimore. The Leaders (4-9) have lost four in a row and coach Ron Rivera’s bench is getting hotter.
Josh Allen saved Buffalo’s season with a stellar performance in the win over Kansas City. Now the Bills (7-6) have a shot in the AFC East, but Dak Prescott and the Cowboys (10-3) have been too hot during a five-game winning streak.
Baltimore at Jacksonville
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (10-3) can solidify their hold on the top seed in the AFC with a road win. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars (8-5) are reeling after two straight losses.
The Eagles (10-3) are in a critical situation after two consecutive lopsided losses. They have lost seven in a row to the Seahawks (6-7) and haven’t won in Seattle since 2008. Geno Smith is competing for the Seahawks, who have lost four in a row.
Last week: Live: 8-7. Against the spread: 8-6-1
Total: Straight: 128-80. Anti-spread: 109-91-8.
Best Bet: Straight: 9-5. Against the spread: 6-7-1.
Special Disturbed: Straight: 8-6. Anti-spread: 10-4.
Thursday: Live: 11-5. Against the spread: 12-3-1.
Monday: Live: 8-9. Against the spread: 12-4-1.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Los Angeles Chargers pulled off a stunning upset over the Oakland Raiders in a thrilling game that saw rookie quarterback Easton Stick make his first NFL start. Despite the odds stacked against them, Stick showed poise and resilience as he led the Chargers to a hard-fought victory over their division rivals. With his exceptional performance, Stick proved that he is more than capable of leading the team to success in the absence of their starting quarterback. The young quarterback’s debut has sparked hope and excitement among Chargers fans, as they eagerly anticipate what the future holds for their promising new talent.