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 and 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 2021-22 Against All Odds Champion?
Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks
Week 20
Another season is almost in the books, and with just two weeks left in the 2021 edition of Against All Odds, my dad has managed to kick my ass for a 4th year in a row… so with these three remaining games, all I have left is to go out on a three game winning streak.
Congrats to my dad, on another great year.
This week we have the AFC and NFC Championship games.
It was also announced today that the great Tom Brady will be retiring. Although I despised him when going up against the Steelers, no one can deny how amazing of a career Brady has had, and the will to win he has displayed since he entered the league.
Five years from now will feature an incredible Hall of Fame ceremony with both Brady and Ben Roethlisberger donning the yellow jackets.
Can’t wait to be there.
Against All Odds Lines as of 1/28/2022
AFC Championship
#4 Cincinnati Bengals (12-7) at #2 Kansas City Chiefs (14-5)
Game Time: 3:00 PM at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO.
Vegas Line: Kansas City -7.5
The Pick: PSN: Cincinnati | MJD: Kansas City
It’s a shame the Buffalo Bills aren’t here, as they suffered an absolutely soul crushing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last week in overtime. The Bills lead the Chiefs by three points with 13 seconds left, and decided against a squib kick to kill more time off the clock… bad idea as Patrick Mahomes used that time to get a field goal, then dagger the Bills in overtime with a first possession touchdown.
This week the Chiefs get the upstart Cincinnati Bengals, featuring quarterback Joe Burrow and his superstar in the making rookie WR Ja’Marr Chase. RB Joe Mixon has run the ball well all season, to boot.
The Bengals have won two playoff games this year after having zero since 1991. It will take a minor miracle to make that three in a row.
I like Burrow to give it all he has, and keep the Bengals in striking distance, but as it is, with tight end Travis Kelce and WR Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs have just too many weapons for Cinci to overcome.
Chiefs win, but don’t cover.
NFC Championship
#6 San Francisco 49ers (12-7) at #4 LA Rams (14-5)
Game Time: 6:30 PM at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA.
Vegas Line: LA Rams -3.5
The Pick: PSN: LA Rams | MJD: LA Rams
San Francisco is the guest nobody invited to the party, and the LA Rams with Aaron Donald are ready to toss them out into the street.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo has heart and fight, and some nice solid weapons in Deebo Samuel and George Kittle to play with, but the Rams defense will find a way to shut the 49ers down.
Matt Stafford has Odell Beckham and Cooper Kupp as his top targets, and a solid running game with Sony Michel and Cam Akers.
Rams by ten.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 3-1 | Overall: 94-86 — (.522)
PSN: Last Week: 1-3 | Overall: 88-92 -6 (.488)
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2021 Champion: MJD
2020 Champion: MJD
2019 Champion: MJD
2018 Champion: MJD
2017 Champion: PSN
2016 Champion: MJD
2015 Champion: MJD
2014 Champion: PSN
2013 Champion: PSN
(MJD leads series 6-3)
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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