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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 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. Pepsi vs Coke. 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 2022-23 Against All Odds Champion?
The Championship Games last week were as good as advertised, but not as exciting as the race between my dad and I.
As we head into Bowl Season, I was able to open up a one game lead over my dad as I went 6-4 on the week to his 5-5.
For the year, I now boast a 70-60 record to his 69-61.
The last game of the regular season is always the most special, that being Army vs Navy, just a spectacle within itself.
Every player on both teams are heroes that play on the same side when it comes to defending this great country, but on this Saturday, they are the most bitter of rivals and no one wants to walk off that field as the loser on the scoreboard.
Hopefully, one day Acrisure Stadium will host this amazing game.
Week 15
Against All Odds Lines as of 12/7/2022
NCAA
Saturday, December 10th
Navy (4-7) at Army (5-6)
Game Time: 3:00 PM at Lincoln Financial Stadium, Philadelphia, PA.
Vegas Line: Navy -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Army | MJD: Navy
Neither team passes the ball, so this game will be won on the ground. That being said, I like what I see out of Army more than what Navy brings to the table.
NFL
Sunday, December 11th
Baltimore (8-4) at Pittsburgh (6-7)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers have found some semblance of an offense, and the Ravens are without Lamar Jackson. Pittsburgh wins their their straight game with a strong defensive effort and another solid day by Kenny Pickett.
NY Jets (7-5) at Buffalo (9-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.
Vegas Line: Buffalo -8.5
The Pick: PSN: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo
Buffalo and Josh Allen haven’t been firing on all cylinders, but this is a good game to bring it all together and put a damper on the Jets playoff hopes.
Cleveland (5-7) at Cincinnati (8-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -5.5
The Pick: PSN: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati
The Browns have surprisingly been a pain in the ass for the Bengals lately, but those fortunes will change drastically Sunday as the Bengals are playing like the team that ended up in the Super Bowl last year, especially with both Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Mixon back.
Jacksonville (4-8) at Tennessee (7-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN.
Vegas Line: Tennessee -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Tennessee | MJD: Tennessee
The Titans and Derrick Henry are in big need of big days and Jacksonville is just what the doctor ordered.
Philadelphia (11-1) at NY Giants (7-4-1)
Game Time: 1:00 PM at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.
Vegas Line: Philadelphia -6.5
The Pick: PSN: Philadelphia | MJD: Philadelphia
The high powered Eagles should fly high over the Giants who are more pretenders than contenders.
Kansas City (9-3) at Denver (3-9)
Game Time: 4:05 PM at Empower Field, Denver, CO.
Vegas Line: Kansas City -9.5
The Pick: PSN: Kansas City | MJD: Kansas City
The Chiefs can’t be happy with last week’s loss to the Bengals, and that could spell a long day for an aging Russel Wilson and his Broncos.
Tampa Bay (6-6) at San Francisco (8-4)
Game Time: 4:25 PM at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA.
Vegas Line: San Francisco -3.5
The Pick: PSN: San Francisco | MJD: Tampa Bay
Tom Brady pulled off a late game comeback last week and gets a 49ers team that just lost their starter in Jimmy Garoppolo. Tough loss for San Francisco, but it will be their defense that leads them to their 9th win of the year.
Carolina (4-8) at Seattle (7-5)
Game Time: 4:25 PM at Lumen Field, Seattle, WA.
Vegas Line: Seattle -3.5
The Pick: PSN: Seattle | MJD: Seattle
Seattle limps into this game, but should have enough magic to overcome the Panthers who keep playing musical quarterbacks.
Miami (8-4) at LA Chargers (6-6)
Game Time: 4:25 PM at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA.
Vegas Line: Miami -2.5
The Pick: PSN: Miami | MJD: LA Chargers
The Chargers are playing for their playoff lives, but expect Miami to bounce back offensively from their woes suffered last week vs the 49ers.
Against All Odds Pick Results
PSN: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 70-60 .538 —
MJD: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 69-61 .531 -1
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
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
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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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