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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?
The Divisional Playoffs have come and gone, and we are all set for the AFC and NFC Championships. The winners of this weekend’s games will set the stage for Super Bowl LVIII.
The Championship for Against All Odds is all but etched in stone for my dad, who now has a three game lead with three games left in the season. The brutal week of 1-3 killed any chance of me taking the crown this year, with only a slim chance of being all even if I happen to win the last three games. Good luck with that.
For the year, dad continues to kill it with a record of 110-100, to my 107-103. Least I’ll finish above .500.
Next year, I think we’re going to limit the amount of Bowl Games to ones where there aren’t the threat of players sitting out, therefore giving one no idea of what kind of team will be on the field for the game to be played. Personally, anyone receiving NIL money should be required to play in that game, unless they are truly injured. If I am a donor, I certainly expect the guy I am giving money to is playing in the biggest game of the year.
Week 22
Against All Odds Lines as of 1/25/2024
NFL
Sunday, January 28th
#3 Kansas City Chiefs (11-6) at #1 Baltimore Ravens (13-4)
Game Time: 3:00 PM | TV: CBS
Vegas Line: Baltimore -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Kansas City | MJD: Baltimore
The Kansas City Chiefs are like Michael Myers when it comes to AFC Championship games. This is six straight appearances for Mahomes and friends. I truly thought Buffalo would end that streak last week, but, alas, here they are.
Baltimore was another team I thought would choke once-more last week, as they have done seemingly every year under soon to be league MVP Lamar Jackson. The Ravens had other ideas as they pounded the Texans to bits.
Baltimore has a great offense headed by Jackson, who has the likes of Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham to throw to at receiver, and Isaiah Likely at tight end… and now may also have star TE Mark Andrews back as well.
Mahomes doesn’t have any star power at receiver, but he does have TE Travis Kelce as his main go-to. Mahomes seems to find a way to shine no matter who he is throwing to.
This should be one helluva game that maybe comes down to who has the ball last. Though the Super Bowl logo colors and some conspiracy peeps suggest the Super Bowl will be between Baltimore and San Francisco, this guy says Mahomes and the Chiefs will once again squirrel their way playing for the Lombardi Trophy.
#3 Detroit Lions (12-5) at #1 San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
Game Time: 6:30 PM | TV: Fox
Vegas Line: San Francisco -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Detroit | MJD: San Francisco
For most of the season, it seemed as if the San Francisco 49ers were destined to make the Super Bowl.
Enter Cinderella as the Detroit Lions. Before the playoffs began, the Pittsburgh Steelers had more wins at Ford Field than the Lions did in the playoffs. With a potent offense lead by QB Jared Goff and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Lions won both of their games at home and are now on the cusp of crashing the party that all but seemed set between the 49ers and the Ravens.
The Lions also have a fantastic duo at RB with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
The 49ers are loaded with talent, with RB Christian McCaffrey leading the way. QB Brock Purdy has gone from Mr. Irrelevant to a MVP Candidate. George Kittle is one of the top tight ends in the game, and both Deebo Samuel and Brandin Aiyuk are big time weapons at wide receiver. However, Samuel may be out with an injury sustained last week vs the Packers.
I think this is going to be an epic battle before this game comes to it’s conclusion. I’m not sure if Detroit can pull off the upset, but I do know they won’t lose by more than a touchdown.
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 3-1 | Overall: 110-100 — (.524)
MPD: Last Week: 1-3 | Overall: 107-103 -3 (.510)
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
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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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