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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 (MPD), 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 2023-24 Against All Odds Champion?
Two weeks in a row of above the board play, by both myself and my dad, which is more than anyone can say about the state of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dad, of course, has been rolling along all season, currently coming in with a record of 70-55, good enough for a ten game lead over me, as I went 7-3 last week, and inched my way closer to .500 with a record of 60-65.
Things could get very interesting soon, as in the ten games we have in week 15, we differ on eight!
This could be the kill shot for dad, or my chance to make up what once was an insurmountable deficit!
Just one college game this week and nine NFL contests with the Army-Navy Game highlighting Saturday afternoon.
Week 15
Against All Odds Lines as of 12/5/2023
NCAA
Saturday, December 9th
Army (5-6) at Navy (5-6)
Game Time: 3:00 PM | Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA.
Vegas Line: Army -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Army | MJD: Navy
Two fierce rivals battle for all the bragging rights for the next year. Both teams average over 200 yards per game on the ground. This is about as even as two teams can get, and my gut tells me the Black Knights pull this one out by a late field goal.
NFL
Thursday, December 7th
New England (2-10) at Pittsburgh (7-5)
Game Time: 8:15 PM | Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA.
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -6.5
The Pick: MPD: New England | MJD: Pittsburgh
Both teams feature pathetic offenses, so it will be a minor miracle if the two combine for anywhere near the over/under of 30 points. I think the Steelers can weasel their way to a win, but as usual, it will be a close game to the end, as it always is with the Steelers under Mike Tomlin and his out of touch ways.
Sunday, December 10th
Detroit (9-3) at Chicago (4-8)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Detroit -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Detroit | MJD: Detroit
Chicago rolls with Justin Fields back healthy at QB, but it won’t be enough to keep the Lions from winning this game and taking the cover as well. Detroit offense is just too good for this Bears defense,.
Indianapolis (7-5) at Cincinnati (6-6)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Indianapolis -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Cincinnati | MJD: Indianapolis
The Bengals demise is on hold as Jake Browning looked like Boomer Esiason last week vs the Jaguars. It helps having quality coaches that teach players up, and having great receivers in Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. Cinci with renewed confidence slips by a paper tiger that is the Colts.
Houston (7-5) at NY Jets (4-8)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Houston -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Houston | MJD: Houston
The Texans, if they hope to remain the AFC playoff chase, had better take care of a very bad Jets team that has one of the worst offenses in the NFL.
LA Rams (6-6) at Baltimore (9-3)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Baltimore -7.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Rams | MJD: Baltimore
Baltimore is on a roll, but don’t look now… so are the Rams, and with Matt Stafford throwing to Cooper Kupp and Puca Nacua, along with a stud RB in Kyren Williams, expect this one to go down to the last possession, if not overtime.
Seattle (6-6) at San Francisco (9-3)
Game Time: 4:05 PM
Vegas Line: San Francisco -10.5
The Pick: MPD: San Francisco | MJD: Seattle
The 49ers are the league’s best team, and the Seahawks get the joy of playing this week’s chalk outline after meeting them.
Buffalo (6-6) at Kansas City (8-4)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Kansas City -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Buffalo | MJD: Kansas City
Kansas City is showing cracks in the foundation, as Patrick Mahomes has very little star power at wide receiver. The Bills and Josh Allen have to win this game to have any chance of getting back into the AFC playoff race.
Philadelphia (10-2) at Dallas (9-3)
Game Time: 8:20 PM
Vegas Line: Dallas -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Philadelphia | MJD: Dallas
The Battle for the NFC East, with Philly coming off a beating at the hands of the 49ers and the Cowboys looking stellar under Dak Prescott. I think the Eagles bounce back as Dallas always finds a way to choke when it counts.
Monday, December 11th
Green Bay (6-6) at NY Giants (4-8)
Game Time: 8:15 PM
Vegas Line: Green Bay -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Green Bay | MJD: NY Giants
Jordan Love has shaken off his rough start and has the Packers trending in the right direction.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 70-55 — (.556)
MPD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 60-65 -10 (.461)
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2023-24 Champion:
2022-23 Champion: MPD
2021-22 Champion: MJD
2020-21 Champion: MJD
2019-20 Champion: MJD
2018-19 Champion: MJD
2017-18 Champion: MPD
2016-17 Champion: MJD
2015-16 Champion: MJD
2014-15 Champion: MPD
2013-14 Champion: MPD
(MJD leads series 6-4)
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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