
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 minded 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 2024-25 Against All Odds Champion?
Down the stretch we go.
Another brutal week by me, combined with my dad going 6-4, has us all knotted up at 103-77 for the season, as we head into the final week of the regular season in the NFL.
Next week we’ll have the College Football semifinals, and the NFL Wild Card Playoffs!
Until then, I tried to pick the best games left that have some kind of playoff implications, as with the Bowl Games, it’s anyone’s best guess how to determine how the games will go when players are opting out or calling it a season.
Out of the ten games this week, dad and I disagree on just one, so someone will be leading by one come Week 20!
Week 19
Against All Odds Lines as of 1/2/2025
NFL
Saturday, January 4th
Cleveland (3-13) at Baltimore (11-5)
Game Time: 4:30 PM
Vegas Line: Baltimore -17.5
The Pick: MPD: Baltimore | MJD: Cleveland
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are playing to win the AFC North division, and should have an easy time with a Browns team that has all but quit on the season. Considering Cleveland got clubbed by 17 last week with Miami playing with a back-up QB, this one could get out of hand quickly.
Cincinnati (8-8) at Pittsburgh (10-6)
Game Time: 8:00 PM
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Bengals need a bit of a miracle, needing to win this game, and hope both Miami and Denver lose. Pittsburgh, unless the Ravens lose to the Browns– which is as likely as finding a virgin in a maternity ward, will be playing for the right to head to Houston as the #5 seed with a win.
As bad as the Steelers have played the last three weeks, this is about as healthy as they have been in a long time, and like last time, they’ll find a way to claw past Cincinnati for the victory.
Sunday, January 5th
Carolina (4-12) at Atlanta (8-8)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Atlanta -8.5
The Pick: MPD: Carolina | MJD: Carolina
Atlanta needs a victory and Tampa to lose to get into the playoffs. I like the Falcons, with Michael Penix at quarterback to win, but Carolina and Bryce Young will keep this close and make them sweat this one out.
Washington (11-5) at Dallas (7-9)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Washington -4.5
The Pick: MPD: Washington | MJD: Washington
The Commanders are looking sharp with Jayden Daniels at the helm, and need a win to stay ahead of Green Bay and a better seed in the playoffs. No one wants to visit Philadelphia in the Wild Card. I like Washington by a touchdown.
Chicago (4-12) at Green Bay (11-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Green Bay -9.5
The Pick: MPD: Green Bay | MJD: Green Bay
Like Washington, the Packers are playing for playoff positioning, and should find enough plays to cover this game by ten or more.
New Orleans (5-11) at Tampa Bay (9-7)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay -13.5
The Pick: MPD: Tampa Bay | MJD: Tampa Bay
Baker Mayfield and Tampa get the NFC South division with a win, and they’ll have no trouble carving up a Saints team that will be missing most of their offensive weapons, and coming off a 15 point whipping at the hands of the lowly Raiders.
Kansas City (15-1) at Denver (9-7)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Denver -10.5
The Pick: MPD: Kansas City | MJD: Kansas City
The Chiefs will be resting most of their key players, but Carson Wentz is still a pretty good option at quarterback, and in Andy Reid’s system, he’ll make Denver and Bo Nix fight this one out until the 4th quarter, before the Broncos pull this one out and secure their spot in the playoffs.
LA Chargers (10-6) at Las Vegas (4-12)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: LA Chargers -4.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Chargers | MJD: LA Chargers
Depending on the outcome of the Steelers-Bengals game, the Chargers could be playing to secure the #5 seed if Pittsburgh loses. Even if the game becomes meaningless, I think LA will have enough in the tank to take down the Raiders here, and a lock if Pittsburgh does lose.
San Francisco (6-10) at Arizona (7-9)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Arizona -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Arizona | MJD: Arizona
The 49ers will be without Brock Purdy, and that combined with already missing Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and countless other players, should give Arizona enough leeway to end the season on a positive note.
Minnesota (14-2) at Detroit (14-2)
Game Time: 8:20 PM
Vegas Line: Detroit -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Minnesota | MJD: Minnesota
The Game of the Year…. and a possible preview of the NFC Championship. It’s almost hard to fathom that the loser of this game, despite being 14-3, will be the #5 seed in the NFC playoffs and be forced to start off on the road.
The injuries on defense are starting to pile up for Detroit, and that could spell doom against a Vikings team that is as good offensively as they are on defense.
This one will be won by a field goal, and either way, that means Minnesota covers.
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 4-6 | Overall: 103-77 — (.572)
MJD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 103-77 — (.572)
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2024-25 Champion:
2023-24 Champion: MPD & MJD
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 6-4-1)
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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