Against All Odds

Against All Odds: NFL Divisional Playoffs

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Are you a degenerate gambler? Perhaps you’re someone who picks games against the spread just for fun and to see how smart you really aren’t? If this describes you, or if you just like to be entertained by a crazy sports columnist, you’re in luck, because you’ve stumbled across Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks, a weekly post from the start of the football season, all the way to the Super Bowl, where me, Mike Drakulich (PSN), the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation, takes on my father, Michael J. Drakulich (MJD), in picking NCAA and NFL games against the Vegas line! Check out the Draftkings welcome offer to see how you can win big and find many bonuses.

I cover both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers during the season for the fabulous NGSCSports.com!

Normally, we always include the local teams here in Western Pennsylvania, which are Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, and the Pittsburgh Steelers among our weekly picks. This gives me the chance to take shots at the opposing teams I really dislike, enraging certain readers, and adding delight to my busy weekends.

All in all, both my dad and I are pretty good at picking these games, but don’t take our word for it. You’re on your own when you place your bets, so don’t blame us if you lose… but you can share your winnings with us if you wish.

Itchy vs Scratchy. Black Spy vs White Spy. Cheers vs Gary’s Old Towne Tavern. History is full of rivalries, but none are better than father vs son! Who will rise above the other this season and become the 2020-21 Against All Odds Champion?


Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks Week 18

Lines as of 1/14/2021

2020 was a miserable year… especially the last five weeks of it, which witnessed the Pittsburgh Steelers go from 11-0 to finishing 12-4.

2021 hasn’t shaken off the grime that was last year. The Steelers were shocked by the Cleveland Browns by playing one of their worst playoff quarters in their illustrious history, bringing another supremely disappointing end to the season. The Steelers have now just won three playoff games since winning Super Bowl XLIII in February of 2009. To boot, the Pittsburgh Penguins have started off 0-2 by losing twice to the hated Philadelphia Flyers. One of Pitt basketball’s top recruits is now suspended from the team after he was charged with stealing a car back in July, this after losing top player Justin Champagnie for 4-6 weeks and having every other game postponed due to the Chinese Virus.

What else could go wrong?

Just my picks in Against All Odds… Last week I went a superb 2-5, and watched my dad go 4-3 on the week to erase a two game deficit to me, and now go into the final seven games of the year all tied up at identical 86-81 records.

So to change my luck, I plan on drinking a shot of rum right in front of Jobu, then possible sacrificing a chicken to please his hatred of my selections.

Pedro Cerrano was unavailable for comment.

This week we have four games and the NFL Divisional Playoffs. Will my luck change for the better? Find out next week when we meet again.

 

NFL Divisional Playoffs

Saturday, January 16th

#6 LA Rams (10-6) at #1 Green Bay Packers (13-3)

Game Time: 4:35 PM at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI.

TV: FOX

Vegas Line: Green Bay -6.5

The Pick: PSN: Green Bay | MJD: Green Bay

The Rams shocked many by pounding Seattle and Russell Wilson last week. Jared Goff did not play well, but Cam Akers did. Aaron Donald was nicked up with a rib injury and WR Cooper Kupp was limping after the game.

It was a great effort last week, but the party ends this week up in Green Bay where it will probably be cold and snowy, with Aaron Rodgers being the difference.

The Rams will put up a good fight, but the Packers will take care of business, both on the field and vs the spread.

#5 Baltimore Ravens (11-5) at #2 Buffalo Bills (13-3)

Game Time: 8:15 PM at Bills Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.

TV: NBC

Vegas Line: Buffalo -2.5

The Pick: PSN: Buffalo | MJD: Baltimore

Absolutely the Game of the Week… Baltimore has been on a tear, but so has the Bills. Both teams had some early trouble with last week’s opponents before flipping the script and taking over the game. The key to the game will be Buffalo’s defense stopping Lamar Jackson and Baltimore’s rushing attack.

Josh Allen needs to play smart and utilize his best weapon in Stephon Diggs.

It will be a great game that will be close heading into the 4th quarter, but the better team will rise to the occasion, and that better team is the Bills.

This game here will decide who enters the Conference Championship week with a one game lead…

 

Sunday, January 17th

#6 Cleveland Browns (11-5) at #1 Kansas City Chiefs (14-2)

Game Time: 3:05 PM at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO.

TV: CBS

Vegas Line: Kansas City -10.5

The Pick: PSN: Kansas City | MJD: Kansas City

Cleveland shocked the Steelers last week and Kansas City has played good, but not great in the 2nd half of the season.

The Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes haven’t really blown any teams away except for the NY Jets, and pretty much everyone used the Jets for a punching bag.

That said, I think the Browns won their Super Bowl last week by finally beating Pittsburgh who has owned them since 1992. They will be in for a letdown, and most likely, the Chiefs aren’t going to turn the ball over five times and hand them the game.

Chiefs roll…

#5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) at #2 New Orleans Saints (12-4)

Game Time: 6:40 PM at Superdome, New Orleans, LA.

TV: FOX

Vegas Line: New Orleans -3.5

The Pick: PSN: New Orleans | MJD: New Orleans

Two future Hall of Famers meet, as Tom Brady and Drew Brees face each other for likely the last time, as Brees is indicating this will be his final season.

Tampa has looked good of late, but I’m not convinced that their defense can stop the Saints offense, especially with how Alvin Kamara has been playing.

They say the 3rd time is a charm, but unfortunately for the Brady Bunch, they’ll be logging an 0-3 record vs New Orleans when this game ends.

Saints win and cover, giving Drew Brees one more week in his incredible career.

 


Against All Odds Pick Results

PSN: Last Week: 2-5 | Overall: 86-81    —   (.515)

MJD: Last Week: 4-3 | Overall: 86-81    —   (.515)

 

Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History

2020 Champion:

2019 Champion: MJD

2018 Champion: MJD

2017 Champion: PSN

2016 Champion: MJD

2015 Champion: MJD

2014 Champion: PSN

2013 Champion: PSN

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About Post Author

Mike Drakulich

From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team. There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all! As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football. For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
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Mike DrakulichYour source for Pittsburgh sports!
From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.

There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!

As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.

For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!

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