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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 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?
It’s down to the nitty gritty for the National Championship, the NFL Divisional Playoffs, and yes… the Against All Odds Title for 2024-25!
A superb week by me at 6-2 has me now at 114-84, which is good enough for a three game advantage over my dad, who had a rough outing at 4-4, who now stands at 111-87.
I couldn’t possibly blow a three game lead with just eight games left, could I?
In this business, nothing is for certain, and the odds can go against you in a Cincinnati second.
This weekend we have the four superb games in the NFL, capped off by the National Championship Game on Monday night between Notre Dame and Ohio State.
Out of the five game slate this week, me and dad differ on three, so, by next week’s edition, I could have this year salted away, or clinging on to dear life with three contests left for this season.
Without further ado, let’s see what’s on the table for Week 21…
Week 21
Against All Odds Lines as of 1/16/2025
NCAA College Football National Championship
Monday, January 20th
Orange Bowl
#8 Ohio State (13-2) at #7 Notre Dame (14-1)
Game Time: 7:30 PM | Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
Vegas Line: Ohio State-8.5
The Pick: MPD: Notre Dame | MJD: Ohio State
This college football season couldn’t dream of a more incredible match-up than Ohio State vs Notre Dame.
Two legendary teams will battle it out for the Championship, and in this one, it’s hard not to envision the Buckeyes enjoying the ticker tape falling from the rafters when this game ends, but one thing is for certain, at least to me… this one will come down to the end, with one possession deciding this game.
As much as it pains me to say this as a Michigan fan, the Buckeyes will be holding the trophy when this game ends, but Ohio State will not win this game by more than a touchdown.
Notre Dame battles hard and gives it all they have, but fall short in the 4th quarter before Ohio State stands tall.
NFL Divisional Playoffs
Saturday, January 18th
#4 Houston (11-7) at #1 Kansas City (15-2)
Game Time: 4:30 PM
Vegas Line: Kansas City -8.5
The Pick: MPD: Houston | MJD: Kansas City
It’s going to be unpleasantly cold when these two teams take the field on Saturday afternoon.
The Chiefs took down Houston earlier this year by eight points, and if the ball happened to bounce a different way, it could have been the Texans pulling off the upset.
I see Kansas City, behind Patrick Mahomes, doing what they do best… taking control when the game is on the line.
I like KC to pull this one out late, but by less than a touchdown.
#6 Washington (13-5) at #1 Detroit (15-2)
Game Time: 8:00 PM
Vegas Line: Detroit -9.5
The Pick: MPD: Washington | MJD: Washington
I think Detroit has the best chance to win it all, but they will be tested by a Washington team led by their quarterback in Jayden Daniels.
The Lions have plenty of weapons at their disposal, and they can score seemingly at will, but their defense has also taken some big losses, and with the way the Commanders can score, this one is definitely going to be decided in the second half, where Detroit will rise to the top, but not before making their fans sweat it out before the clock strikes 0:00.
Sunday, January 19th
#4 LA Rams (11-7) at #2 Philadelphia (15-3)
Game Time: 3:00 PM
Vegas Line: Philadelphia -6.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Rams | MJD: LA Rams
If there was a team out of nowhere that no one wants to face, it’s the LA Rams.
The Rams have a dangerous offense led by Matt Stafford, who has two viable weapons to throw to in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Add in a run game headed by Kyren Williams, and a defense that just obliterated Sam Darnold and the Vikings, and you have all three makings for a monumental upset in the making.
The Eagles have one of the best backs in Saquon Barkley, two premier wide outs in A.J. Brown and DeVonte Smith, and a physical defense, but I have my doubts about Jalen Hurts when it comes down to the game being on the line.
If the Eagles do survive this game, it will be by a field goal or less, but don’t be surprised if the Rams pull this off.
#3 Baltimore (13-5) at #2 Buffalo (14-4)
Game Time: 6:30 PM
Vegas Line: Baltimore -1.5
The Pick: MPD: Buffalo | MJD: Baltimore
The first three games are just an appetizer compared to this one.
The Ravens crushed the Bills 35-10 in week three, but that was a looooong time ago.
The winner of this game could be the very favorites to win it all.
Looks like the weather will be bitter cold, with snow in the forecast.
Two MVP candidates face off with Josh Allen going up against Lamar Jackson.
If the Bills can muster up enough defense to keep the Ravens run game from running wild with Jackson and Derrick Henry, they’ll find a way to exploit a vulnerable Baltimore secondary, and set up a date with the Chiefs for the right to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl next Sunday evening.
Against All Odds Results
MPD: Last Week: 6-2 | Overall: 114-84 — | (.568)
MJD: Last Week: 4-4 | Overall: 111-87 -3 | (.563)
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
- 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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