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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 2025-26 Against All Odds Champion?
It was a bounce back week for both the Pittsburgh Steelers and myself.
Yes, after sucking for weeks, I finally put together a respectable record of 7-3, but only managed to gain one game against my dad who went 6-4.
If only Caleb Williams didn’t limp arm his final pass right into the arms of Keisean Nixon, I could’ve been looking at 8-2 and being all tied up…
As we head into Bowl Season, dad has the lead with a record of 82-78 to my 81-79.
Week 16
Against All Odds Lines as of 12/10/2025
NCAA Football
Saturday, December 13th
Army (6-5) at Navy (9-2)
Game Time: 3:00 PM
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD.
Vegas Line: Navy -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Navy | MJD: Navy
Army, as usual is very efficient at running the ball. So is Navy… but the Midshipmen can also pass the ball, and they have WR Eli Heidenreich, formerly of Mt. Lebanon HS, who has caught 40 receptions for 805 yards and four touchdowns, and has rushed for 409 yards and three touchdowns.
NFL
Sunday, December 14th
Arizona (3-10) at Houston (8-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Houston -9.5
The Pick: MPD: Houston | MJD: Houston
Houston’s defense defends every blade of grass on the field, so despite Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett playing out of his mind, it’s not hard to envision the Texan’s winning this game by double digits.
Las Vegas (2-11) at Philadelphia (8-5)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Philadelphia -11.5
The Pick: MPD: Las Vegas | MJD: Philadelphia
Will Vegas get a boost with Kenny Pickett at quarterback? They might, but the Eagles, who have lost three in a row, are due for a breakout game on offense somewhere, right? Maybe, but with how bad they’re playing, it’s hard to see them beating anyone by double digits.
NY Jets (3-10) at Jacksonville (9-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Jacksonville -12.5
The Pick: MPD: Jacksonville | MJD: Jacksonville
Trevor Lawrence and the Jags are on a roll, and the Jets are playing like a team ready for the off-season.
Buffalo (9-4) at New England (11-2)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Buffalo -1.5
The Pick: MPD: New England | MJD: Buffalo
Somehow the Bills, who have a suspect defense, no receivers, and have already lost to the Patriots at home, are favored up in Foxborough? I’m not buying it.
Baltimore (6-7) at Cincinnati (4-9)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Baltimore -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati
Boy, Vegas sure loves these Ravens. Despite being clobbered two weeks ago by this same Bengals team, they’re favored travelling to The Jungle? I see Joe Burrow and the Bungles sending Baltimore their 3rd loss in four games.
Cleveland (3-10) at Chicago (9-4)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Chicago -7.5
The Pick: MPD: Cleveland | MJD: Cleveland
Shedeur Sanders vs Caleb Williams… The Bears were on a tear until they slipped up against the Packers last week. They’ll bounce back against the lowly Browns, but not by more than a touchdown.
Detroit (8-5) at LA Rams (10-3)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: LA Rams -5.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Rams | MJD: Detroit
The Rams have a big chance to put a serious dent into Detroit’s playoff plans with a win here at home.
Green Bay (9-3-1) at Denver (11-2)
Game Time: 4:25 PM
Vegas Line: Green Bay -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Green Bay | MJD: Green Bay
Could this be a Super Bowl Preview? I doubt it, but it’s one of the best games of the week. I like Denver’s defense a lot, but it’s their offense that worries me. The Packers can most certainly sneak into Mile High and win this game by a field goal.
Monday, December 15th
Miami (6-7) at Pittsburgh (7-6)
Game Time: 8:15 PM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
The Steelers played with a pulse last week, stunning the Ravens 27-22. By this game, it’s very possible Pittsburgh could extend their lead in the AFC North to two games. That, or playing to stay in first place. Either way, this is a must win game for the Black and Gold.
Against All Odds Results
MJD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 82-78 — | (.507)
MPD: Last Week: 7-3 | Overall: 81-79 -1 | (.493)
Against All Odds: NCAA/NFL Picks History
2025-26 Champion:
2024-25 Champion: MPD
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 6-5-1)
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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