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 19
Lines as of 1/21/2021
Started off 2-0 on Saturday and was liking my chances of an undefeated week, but New Orleans and Drew Brees grew older in front of our eyes almost as fast as that idiot who drank from the wrong Cup in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Then Cleveland backdoored me against the Chiefs who lost Patrick Mahomes to a concussion.
I guess you can say I chose poorly…
Whatever. The real story is that I did go 2-2, and dad went 1-3, so heading into the final three games, I have a one game advantage at 88-83.
The only game we differed on was Buffalo at Kansas City. I took the Bills, so if I do win that game, I get to reclaim the Against All Odds Championship. If I lose, it will come down to the Super Bowl, where we may end up tied, or one man stands tall.
Honestly, tying would be a perfect end to what was 2020.
Sunday, January 24h
NFC Championship Game
#5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) at #1 Green Bay Packers (13-3)
Game Time: 3:05 PM at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI.
TV: FOX
Vegas Line: Green Bay -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Green Bay | MJD: Green Bay
I can only imagine the endless nauseum if somehow Tom Brady and the Bucs win this game, and good God help us all from Tony Romo if we get a Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes Super Bowl. They’d have to stock the CBS broadcast booth with hundreds of tissue boxes from Romo going into ecstasy over that match-up for five hours.
Thankfully, I believe that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will be out for bloodlust from the 38-10 pasting Tampa put upon Green Bay earlier this year.
Brady will be without Antonio Brown and his one catch games, and although Mike Evans is a beast, he is nowhere near 70%, let alone 100% with his knee injury.
Expect a great game that goes into the 4th quarter with the outcome in doubt, but eventually, the better team will rise, and that will be the Packers and Rodgers heading to the Super Bowl.
Pack by seven.
AFC Championship Game
#2 Buffalo Bills (13-3) at #1 Kansas City Chiefs (14-2)
Game Time: 6:40 PM at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO.
TV: CBS
Vegas Line: Kansas City -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Buffalo | MJD: Kansas City
Patrick Mahomes may have had his status in doubt till Friday, but honestly, it would’ve taken an act of God to keep him out of this game.
Regardless of if Mahomes was playing or not, I was very confident that this was going to be the game where the Chiefs run ended.
Right now, with the way Josh Allen and Stephon Diggs are playing, along with a better than average defense, it’s going to be joy in Bills Mafialand as Buffalo will outlast a 4th quarter charge by KC and head to their first Super Bowl since 1994.
Against All Odds Pick Results
PSN: Last Week: 2-2 | Overall: 88-83 — (.515)
MJD: Last Week: 1-3 | Overall: 87-84 -1 (.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
Author Profile
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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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