The season is almost at the halfway point and we are starting to see some separation from the elite teams in the league. This week will be no different as the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers head to Ford Field to face the Detroit Lions.
The Steelers look to make it three in a row and the Lions need a win to stay in the thick of the NFC North race.
Here are our picks for the winner of this Sunday Night matchup as well as our upset picks for the week:
Jason Romano – Pittsburgh Steelers 24, Detroit Lions 21 – Big Ben has turned the ship in the right direction and the Steelers are playing much better after that terrible home loss to Jacksonville. I like Pittsburgh on the road to do enough to get the victory.
UPSET – New York Jets 27, Atlanta Falcons 24 — Atlanta has not been able to duplicate their success from last year. Josh McCown has been a pleasant surprise, providing stability at the quarterback position. I like him to have a big game and the Jets to pull off the upset at home.
Justin Adams – Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Detroit Lions 20 – I’m still not 100 percent convinced of which Pittsburgh Steelers team I will see on Sunday. The one that went into Arrowhead Stadium and beat the Chiefs or the one that lost at home to Jacksonville by double digits? I’m taking the Steelers by a touchdown in their final game before their bye week.
UPSET – Houston Texans 26, Seattle Seahawks 23 – Can a rookie QB come into Seattle and beat the Legion of Boom? Yes, if your name is Deshaun Watson. Watson is second in the NFL with 15 touchdown passes and has a 101.1 passer rating that’s good for sixth in the league. Give me the youngster to ace his toughest exam in his NFL career.
Jon Ackerman – Pittsburgh Steelers 34, Detroit Lions 17 – The Lions have little offense and the Steelers have a lot. Detroit won’t be able to keep up.
UPSET – Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24, Carolina Panthers 14 – The 2-4 Bucs have lost three straight but I see them getting back on track against a struggling but 4-3 Panthers squad. Tampa trails only New England in offensive yards per game (392.8).
Last week’s picks:
Jason: Patriots 34 – Falcons 28
Justin: Falcons 38 – Patriots 31
Jon: Patriots 23 – Falcons 17
Actual Result: New England Patriots 23 – Atlanta Falcons 7
Season Record: (Upsets Record in Parentheses)
Jason: 5-2 (2-4)
Justin: 4-3 (3-3)
Jon: 4-2 (2-4)
The first four months of 2026 have been good to Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
In February, the 32-year-old won his second Super Bowl title when the Seahawks took down the New England Patriots, 29-13, in Super Bowl LX. Then on Friday at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, he was presented with the 2026 Uncommon Award by legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy.
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Dungy presents the Uncommon Award annually to someone who, according to the event website, isn’t “afraid to take the tough road, to follow a higher calling or set a higher standard.” Dungy’s passion for living an uncommon life and calling others to do the same came from his father, his collegiate coach at Minnesota, Cal Stoll, and Jesus’ words in the Bible passage Matthew 7:13-14.
We’re at our 13th annual Uncommon Award dinner and this year we are honoring Cooper Kupp. Cooper is a 2 time Super Bowl champ and an amazing man as well. He’s been a great leader for the Rams & the Seahawks and a true community servant. Cooper has shown that you can be at the top… pic.twitter.com/GqiQKXdzJV
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) April 18, 2026
The presentation of the Uncommon Award to Kupp was followed Saturday morning by the Arise with the Guys men’s event, which was attended by nearly 4,000 men. The event seeks to prepare men to create meaningful change and live an uncommon life. Recently-retired Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham was one of the speakers, and the event concluded with a Gospel presentation.
The morning centered on Kupp and Dungy as they participated in a Q&A, where they talked about football and their shared faith in Christ.
“I was made to play the game of football,” Kupp said on the stage. “Not to go do great football things or to win Super Bowls. I was made to play football to be on a stage to be able to point to Jesus, to be able to call people to Him, to be able to live a life that reflects Jesus in every way. I know that I would not be here without Him.”
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Kupp was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams out of Eastern Washington in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft and made an immediate splash in L.A. with 869 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie. He continued to develop over the next few years, culminating in a historic 2021 campaign.
That season, he earned the NFL’s receiving “triple crown” in which he led the league in receptions (145), yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16). Kupp was named a Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro, and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and he capped the season by leading his team to a 23-20 victory in Super Bowl LVI. He was the game’s MVP.
After three more seasons with the Rams, he was released and quickly re-signed by Seattle, where he continued to be a starter. His consistency and veteran leadership proved invaluable on the team’s journey to a Super Bowl title; he caught six passes for 61 yards in the big game.
Kupp’s full Q&A was featured in this week’s “Tuesday Morning RB” on the Sports Spectrum Podcast, and when asked about his release from the Rams only to be signed by the Seahawks and win a Super Bowl, he talked about trusting God’s goodness in the uncertainty.
“God has a plan for you that isn’t always going to be in alignment with what you want for yourself,” Kupp said. “But His plan is better. I promise you, it’s better. You know, I’ve lived that out. This year was a great example.”
Later, Kupp revealed that he signs autographs with one of his favorite Bible verses, 1 Corinthians 9:25, which says, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” After Kupp quoted it, he reflected on its significance to him.
“I’m working out at 7:00 in the morning. I’m here not because I’m getting ready for a game. I’m here because I’m representing Jesus on earth,” he said. “That is a mindset that is going to give you everything you need, all the motivation you need, to go out and be the best football player that you can possibly be. More than enough motivation.
“We should be the hardest workers in the world, because we’re working for an eternal prize.”
Kupp was asked about what the Lord taught him in the past year, from the low of being released to the high of winning a Super Bowl with his favorite childhood team.
“What God taught me is that He’s there,” Kupp said. “He’s there for us, and when you pursue Him, He’s going to answer the bell. He will answer the bell, I promise you. Do not leave. Just stay on the path that He has for you because He is there for you and He has a great plan for you.”
Whatever 2026-27 holds for Kupp, this year’s Uncommon Award winner will seek to continue to live the uncommon life God has called him to.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
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On today’s episode of Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast, we have Taylen Green!
Taylen shares about memories from his two seasons at Arkansas, what it was like at the Senior Bowl, and his faith in Jesus.
“What’s Up” is part of the Sports Spectrum Podcast Network.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
“Without Jesus, I’m nothing. Without His love and His care and His guidance just going through my whole life — the ups and downs that I’ve been through — He’s the only Truth and the Way to help me through.”
— NFL Draft prospect Taylen Green https://t.co/7Oy7zwZ0g3
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) March 7, 2026
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On today’s episode of Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast, we have Luke Basso!
Luke shares about his Senior Bowl experience and his four years at Oregon, as well as his faith in Christ.
“What’s Up” is part of the Sports Spectrum Podcast Network.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
Once a Duck, Always a Duck 🦆
Thank you, @LukeBasso5!#GoDucks pic.twitter.com/tlskZuGW8z
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) November 21, 2025
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Robert Mathis spent 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts (2003-16) and is the franchise’s all-time leader in sacks (123). He was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2021, and won Super Bowl XLI with the team in 2006-07. He retired as the NFL’s career record holder in forced fumbles (52).
Matt Forte welcomes Robert Mathis to the Sports Spectrum Podcast to talk about his journey of faith in Christ, the worst year of his life in 2014, the power of prayer, his favorite quarterback to sack, and the Colts’ culture.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
Robert Mathis, who spent all of his 14 seasons with the @Colts and was part of the Super Bowl XLI winning squad, is now a Semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025. #PFHOF25 pic.twitter.com/CErpQyajCL
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) November 20, 2024
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