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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?
Against All Odds, in it’s 11th season, has come down to one week, and one game… Super Bowl LVII.
For the year, it’s dad leading the way with a 110-102 record, which is one game better than yours truly at 109-103.
For the Championship Game, dad will take the crown if the 49ers are able to cover 2.5 points. If not, we end up as co-champions.
It’s been another fun season writing for everyone and trying our best to win every game. Honestly, it’s been a helleva year for both of us who are guaranteed to finish well above .500 for the year, a feat that not many can accomplish when betting against Vegas.
Please enjoy the culmination of the 2023 season, and have a great evening come Sunday at 6:30 PM.
Till next August, take care and see you for the start of the 2024 football season!
Week 23
Against All Odds Lines as of 2/8/2024
NFL
Super Bowl LVII
Sunday, February 11th
#3 Kansas City Chiefs (11-6) at #1 San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
Game Time: 6:30 PM | TV: CBS
Vegas Line: San Francisco -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Kansas City | MJD: San Francisco
The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to go back to back, as they face off vs the San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl LVII, hosted at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada!
The Chiefs are lead by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has thrown for 4,183 yards, with 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Chiefs may not be displaying as potent an offense as they have in recent years, but they seem to score when the game is on the line.
Mahomes has a rag tag group of wide receivers in Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, and Kadarius Toney. Good luck in guessing who will take the reigns in this game, but the best bet is Rice, who lead the Chiefs WR’s with 79 catches for 938 yards, and a team leading seven touchdowns.
Tight end Travis Kelce is the X-Factor in this game, as he is Mahome’s favorite target. Kelce has 93 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns in the regular season, and has added three TD’s in the playoffs.
Don’t sit on the Chiefs defense either, as they ranked ahead of the 49ers on defense at #2 in the NFL, giving up just 17.3 points per game.
The 49ers have a tremendous defense and an offense loaded with talent. Christian McCaffrey leads the way at running back, rushing for 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns, and 67 receptions for 564 yards and another seven TD’s . QB Brock Purdy has gone from Mr. Irrelevant to a MVP Candidate, throwing for 4,280 yards with 31 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions. 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.
As the Detroit Lions found out, no lead may be safe with the scoring ability they possess.
This should be a tremendous game that will start off fast, with the teams trading a few touchdowns to start the first quarter, before the game truly settles in and comes down to who makes the least mistakes, and handles the pressure when the game is on the line in the 4th quarter.
The 49ers are favorites at 2.5 points, and I think Kansas City will cover those points, but ultimately, in the end, lose a heartbreaker to San Francisco by the slimmest of margins… Prediction: San Francisco 24 Kansas City 23
Against All Odds Pick Results
MJD: Last Week: 0-2 | Overall: 110-102 — (.519)
MPD: Last Week: 2-0 | Overall: 109-103 -1 (.514)
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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