Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks

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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?

After 18 crazy weeks, and 19 overall in Against All Odds, it’s playoff time in the NFL, and the race between my dad and I is coming down to the wire once again.

Where I had a five game lead just a few weeks ago, it’s now down to a two game advantage heading into Wild Card Weekend.

Six games this week, and only one game is where we differ from, so come the Divisional Round, I could be up either one game, or three, with seven games left to play in the season.

For the year, I am a respectable 95-85, to my dad’s 93-87. My goal is to reach 100 wins and take down my dad’s three year run of victory against me.

Week 20

Against All Odds Lines as of 1/12/2023

NFL Wild Card Weekend

Saturday, January 14th

#7 Seattle (9-8) at #2 San Francisco (13-4)

Game Time: 4:30 PM at Levi Stadium, Santa Clara, CA.

Vegas Line: San Francisco -9.5

The Pick: PSN: San Francisco | MJD: San Francisco

It doesn’t seem to matter who is under center for the 49ers, that being Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo, or Brock Purdy. The 49ers have a wizard of an offensive coordinator, Christian McCaffrey, and a vicious defense. Seattle started off strong with the elevated play of Geno Smith, but have faltered down the stretch.

This being a playoff game, you never know how nerves will affect either team, but with the roll San Francisco is on, I feel confident that the Niners will bury the Seahawks to open the playoff season.

#5 LA Chargers (10-7) at #4 Jacksonville (9-8)

Game Time: 8:15 PM at TIAA Bank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL.

Vegas Line: LA Chargers -2.5

The Pick: PSN: LA Chargers | MJD: LA Chargers

This should be a fun game to watch, but I like the run the Chargers are on right now, not to mention they have a helluva offense featuring Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen, and Mike Williams.

Trevor Lawrence has taken huge steps in his second year and is starting to live up to the hype given to him upon being drafted. This could be a big game where Lawrence and the Jaguars could show the world they are for real, but in the end, I can’t trust a team that got lucky to beat Tennessee last week being a questionable fumble by their 3rd QB in Josh Dobbs.

Sunday, January 15th

#7 Miami (9-8) at #2 Buffalo (13-3)

Game Time: 1:00 PM at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.

Vegas Line: Buffalo -12.5

The Pick: PSN: Buffalo | MJD: Buffalo

I think the Bills have been waiting for the playoffs to start playing the type of football we witnessed them displaying to start the year.

Josh Allen has many weapons to play with, including Stephon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Isaiah McKenzie, and Dawson Knox. To boot, the Buffalo rushing attack has looked good with Devin Singletary and James Cook.

Miami will not have Tua Tagovailoa available, which is a shame with the dynamic duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylon Waddle at wide receiver.

The Fish could barely get by the Jets last week, and honestly, were very lucky to win. Their fortunes end this week via a beatdown by the Bills.

#6 NY Giants (9-7-1) at #3 Minnesota (13-4)

Game Time: 4:30 PM at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN.

Vegas Line: Minnesota -3.5

The Pick: PSN: NY Giants | MJD: Minnesota

The Vikings are stout on offense with Kirk Cousins handing the ball of to Dalvin Cook and throwing to Justin Jefferson. The problem is, and it’s a big one, is the horrific defense Minnesota has. Despite being 13-4, the Vikings have a point differential of -3, thus cementing the fact that the Vikings are the masters of simply finding ways to win when the game is on the line.

The Giants also have a -6 points differential, but that is understandable considering their 9-7-1 record.

Expect this game to come down to the wire, if not go to overtime, where the Vikings will once again snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Giants do cover though.

#6 Baltimore (10-6) at #3 Cincinnati (11-4)

Game Time: 8:15 PM at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.

Vegas Line: Cincinnati -8.5

The Pick: PSN: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati

It’s highly unlikely Lamar Jackson will play, and if he does, it will be a very rusty version of the former MVP.

The Bengals with Joe Burrow, Joe Mixon, JaMarr Chase, and Tee Higgins look to be on a mission to get back to the Super Bowl, and the Ravens will be headed for another early exit into the off-season.

Monday, January 16th

#5 Dallas (12-5) at #4 Tampa Bay (8-9)

Game Time: 8:15 PM at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL.

Vegas Line: Dallas -2.5

The Pick: PSN: Dallas | MJD: Dallas

Tampa enters the playoffs as the lone team under .500, and they have a point differential of -45.

Tom Brady, Mike Evans, and the Tampa offense looked great in the division clinching win against Carolina… but let’s get real here– it was the freaking Panthers!

Dallas and Dak Prescott have had their woes in the playoffs, but on Monday night, the Cowboys offense should have this game wrapped up by the end of the 3rd quarter.

Against All Odds Pick Results

PSN: Last Week: 5-5 | Overall: 95-85 .527 —

MJD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 93-87 .516 -2

Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History

2022 Champion:

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)

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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http://ngscsports.com

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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!