Injuries can be damaging to NFL teams — and to Pro Picks, which is hurting after an awful week in which even our Best Bet flopped, for the first time.
So do we ride the Redskins or the Vikings in tonight’s game, in which Washington is a 2-point favorite?
Let’s see.
Washington (No. 21 tie, AP Pro32) seems on the rise as Robert Griffin III gets closer to his true form, the running game has been revived, and the defense regularly is getting sacks.
Minnesota (No. 30, AP Pro32) is rapidly sinking, even though it came close to a win last week in Dallas. The QB situation is in flux, the line isn’t opening holes for 2012 MVP Adrian Peterson, and opponents gain more than 300 yards a game through the air.
Injuries keep striking the Vikes, who won’t have tight end Kyle Rudolph, one of their few offensive threats outside of Peterson, or right tackle Phil Loadholt. The Redskins are getting healthier.
In a short week, RG3’s crew seems to have a lot of edges on AD (Peterson, known as “All Day”) and the hosts.
“It’s a huge mental week and we had this experience last year going into our Thanksgiving game,” Griffin said. “There’s not much contact. You don’t get to go out there and run every single play, get multiple reps at it. You kind of have to be on top of your studying, be on top of your film work ...
“But the other team has the same situation and no one’s going to feel sorry for you. You’ve got to go out there and step up on Thursday and go win the game.”
Exactly.
REDSKINS, 27-16

The Picks:
No. 25 Oakland (plus 7½) at No. 23 New York Giants — After six straight losses, Giants thinking six straight wins. Next one ... BEST BET: GIANTS, 30-17
No. 24 Buffalo (plus 3½) at No. 28 Pittsburgh — Hard to believe how low Steelers have fallen this year. ... UPSET SPECIAL: BILLS, 20-17
No. 13 Dallas (plus 7) at No. 7 New Orleans — Angry Saints return home and take it out on Cowboys. ... SAINTS, 37-28
No. 19 Philadelphia (plus 2½) at No. 11 Green Bay — Line opened at 9½, then Aaron Rodgers’ collarbone got in the way. ... EAGLES, 23-20
No. 26 St. Louis (plus 10) at No. 4 (tie) Indianapolis — Colts are rolling, Rams are reeling. ... COLTS, 31-13
No. 2 Seattle (minus 6½) at No. 29 Atlanta — Both teams burned us last week. ... SEAHAWKS, 20-14
No. 8 Cincinnati (minus 1½) at No. 21 (tie) Baltimore — Loss here and it’s time to write off defending champions. ... RAVENS, 17-16
No. 9 Detroit (minus 2½) at No. 12 Chicago — Bears should hope Lions lose their starting QB like Packers did. ... LIONS, 24-23
No. 10 Carolina (plus 6) at No. 4 (tie) San Francisco — Like the way both teams are playing. Niners are more than a TD better, though. ... 49ERS, 24-13
No. 3 Denver (minus 7) at No. 15 San Diego — Well-rested Broncos want this one for ailing coach John Fox. ... BRONCOS, 30-24
No. 27 Houston (plus 2½) at No. 16 Arizona — Texans want this one for ailing coach Gary Kubiak. ... CARDINALS, 20-16
No. 18 Miami (minus 2½) at No. 13 Tampa Bay, Monday night — Dare we take Bucs for first win? NAH ... DOLPHINS, 23-21
No. 32 Jacksonville (plus 13) at No. 17 Tennessee — Dare we take Jaguars for first win? Double NAH ... TITANS, 27-10

2013 RECORD:
Against spread: 4-8 (57-67-4). Straight up: 6-7 (80-54).
Best Bet: 4-5 against spread, 8-1 straight up.
Upset special: 3-6 against spread, 1-8 straight up.