Steelersforever.org
0
0
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?
The Pittsburgh Steelers kept rolling for a third straight week, and both my dad and I had pretty good bounce back weeks after a subpar Week 17.
Our identical 6-4 records have dad still holding a two game lead at 93-87 to my 91-89, with 26 games left in the Against All Odds season.
This week it’s Christmas for a whole lot of you, while our family waits another 13 days till January 7th!
We have just two college games this week with both Pitt and Penn State playing. The College Football Quarterfinals are all scheduled next week.
On Christmas Day, the NFL has three games scheduled, with two more on Saturday, followed by the rest on Sunday and the last Monday night game of the year.
May you and your families have a very Merry Christmas! Catch you next week as we head into the New Year!
Week 19
Against All Odds Lines as of 12/23/2025
NCAA Football
Saturday, December 27th
Military Bowl
East Carolina (8-4) at Pitt (8-4)
Game Time: 11:00 AM
Venue: Navy-Marines Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD.
Vegas Line: Pitt -9.5
The Pick: MPD: Pitt | MJD: Pitt
Pitt should feel a little disrespected in this game and come out with some fire. Only Desmond Reid and Kyle Louis will miss the game as they both announced their decisions to enter next year’s NFL Draft. Best of luck to both of them as their spectacular play will be missed as Panthers.
East Carolina will be missing their best tight end and their starting quarterback in Katin Houser who is entering the transfer portal. It’s a huge loss as he threw for 3,300 yards with 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 193 yards and nine TD’s.
Mike Wright is expected to start, and he just 13 yards passing the entire season.
Pinstripe Bowl
Penn State (6-6) at Clemson (7-5)
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY.
Vegas Line: Clemson -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Clemson | MJD: Clemson
Both teams had huge expectations entering the season, but failed miserably.
I’ll go with the team with the better offense, and that’s the Tigers here.
NFL
Thursday, December 25th
Dallas (6-8-1) at Washington (4-11)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Dallas -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Dallas | MJD: Dallas
Two teams that will be sitting at home for the playoffs. Dallas should be able to take care of business with a superior offense behind Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens.
Detroit (8-7) at Minnesota (7-8)
Game Time: 4:30 PM
Vegas Line: Detroit -5.5
The Pick: MPD: Detroit | MJD: Minnesota
Detroit and their impressive offense will take on a Minnesota team missing their QB in J.J. McCarthy.
Denver (12-3) at Kansas City (6-9)
Game Time: 8:15 PM
Vegas Line: Denver -12.5
The Pick: MPD: Denver | MJD: Denver
Denver has to bounce back after getting whacked by Jacksonville, and the Chiefs should be the perfect opponent as they are down to their 3rd QB and look as if they’ve packed it in for the year.
Saturday, December 27th
Houston (10-5) at LA Chargers (11-4)
Game Time: 4:30 PM
Vegas Line: LA Chargers -2.5
The Pick: MPD: LA Chargers | MJD: LA Chargers
Houston is playing for a slim chance to catch Jacksonville, but I have doubts their offense can do enough against the Chargers, even with LA going against an elite defense that the Texans deploy. This just screams a field goal win by Justin Herbert and friends.
Baltimore (7-8) at Green Bay (9-5-1)
Game Time: 8:00 PM
Vegas Line: Green Bay -2.5
The Pick: MPD: Green Bay | MJD: Green Bay
The Ravens have their backs against the wall, as a loss here will end their season. Both teams have injuries to their quarterbacks. Lamar Jackson missed the 2nd half of last week’s loss to New England, and Jordan Love was knocked out of Green Bay’s loss to the Bears.
It’s a huge mess, and we might not know the statuses of either QB until pregame warm-ups.
Regardless of who plays, the feeling here is the Packers taking this game by a late field goal.
Sunday, December 28th
Pittsburgh (9-6) at Cleveland (3-12)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh -3.5
The Pick: MPD: Pittsburgh | MJD: Pittsburgh
This game is a tough one to choose, as much depends on the result of the Ravens-Packers game on Saturday night. If the Ravens lose, the Steelers could decide to rest many of their starters, as they would have clinched the AFC North division title.
Perhaps Tomlin will play his starters for a half or so… who knows?
If Baltimore does find a way to win, then the Steelers would have to beat Cleveland to win the AFC North to avoid playing the Ravens in Week 18 for all the beans.
No matter what happens, wide receiver D.K. Metcalf will miss the last two games serving a two game suspension for swinging at a fan during the Lions game on the sidelines.
I’m going with the Ravens losing, and the Steelers still taking down Cleveland regardless of who plays.
Arizona (3-12) at Cincinnati (5-10)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: Cincinnati -6.5
The Pick: MPD: Cincinnati | MJD: Cincinnati
Both teams have some nice offenses… but the Bengals have the more complete and healthy one. Joe Burrow and company take this one by a touchdown.
New Orleans (5-10) at Tennessee (3-12)
Game Time: 1:00 PM
Vegas Line: New Orleans -2.5
The Pick: MPD: New Orleans | MJD: Tennessee
Two bottom feeders, both coming off victories, but my gut says the Saints have enough in the tank to win their 4th straight. How about that Tyler Shough guy? Bro might just win a Fantasy Championship Game for someone this week!
Against All Odds Results
MJD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 93-87 — | (.517)
MPD: Last Week: 6-4 | Overall: 91-89 -2 | (.505)
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!
-
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!
Latest entries
BonusDecember 24, 2025Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks
NFLDecember 19, 2025Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions GameDay Preview
BonusDecember 19, 2025Against All Odds: NCAA and NFL Picks
NFLDecember 13, 2025Pittsburgh Steelers vs Miami Dolphins GameDay Preview
About the Author
