Hi everyone, all I can truly say is that I am so relieved to hear that Damar Hamlin has regained consciousness and is having cognitive, intelligent reactions, this is nothing short of a miracle. I am so thrilled and I now want to move forward with making my Week 18 picks. The first play from scrimmage will be unusual here in Vegas tomorrow but well get through it just like Demar did, Happy belated New Years to everyone!!
SATURDAY’S GAMES
RAIDERS +8.5 OVER chiefs
Doesn’t this seem like a great tease/Raiders cover spot? That’s what I thought. The Iron Chefs are not very gourmet when they are over a Touchdown favorite as they were here. Plus you know how many times in 16 games team Vaders has lost by more than one score? Yeah how about one time. A weird one off 24-0 Week 8 loss in New Orleans where I think the players got lost on Bourbon St.
Chiefs Win 28-24 (Raiders Cover)
titans +6.5 over JAGUARS
I hate agreeing with Cowherd on his blazing five (we do different on Sunday’s games) but two of my five best bets take place on Saturday. Mike Vrabel is putting all of his chips into the table for this one game. The Jags are the hotter team right now, have the far better Quarterback, but the Titans have a huge advantage at coach and they still held Herbert and Rodgers recently to 17 points, upset.
Titans Win 22-21
AM WINDOW
DOLPHINS -3 OVER jets
Yes I know I am taking Skylar Thompson in an in or go home game. This game should be called the free fall bowl. There are rumors the losing coach of this game could get fired. I know that the Dolphins have lost five in a row, but after firing Brian Flores after an 8-1 finish how can you fire the new coach (who had momentum after one season). Calling Stephen Ross compulsive would be compliment
Dolphins Win 23-16
STEELERS -2.5 OVER browns
I know wise guys love the Browns here and I know Chad Millman of the volume (who I enjoy his podcast) is jumping on the table as the team playing for nothing is usually the side historically against the team playing for something. But to Chad and gamblers everywhere the Steelers are the better team. The upstanding citizen has been better but still only six td’s in five games. Tomlin’s streak continues.
Steelers Win 20-16
COLTS -2.5 OVER texans
This game is the grosses game of gross. You know a wart that has… Well we won’t elaborate but yes this game is disgusting. You can argue the Texans have been the far better team but why would they want to blow the chance at getting Bryce Young or whatever Quarterback they covet. I would start Matt Schaub, T.J Yates or David Carr here, throw the game Tejas, winning does you no good here.
Colts Win 21-13
FALCONS -4 OVER bucs
I know Brady wants to play this game but I think he probably plays a Quarter or a half. If the Bucs were trying I would still take the birds as 3 or 4 point dog. No disrespect to anyone saying Arthur Smith is going to lose his job but getting this talent deprived team to 7 wins would be one hell of an accomplishment. I do not think Desmond Ridder is the guy though so they will drafting a QB in my mind.
Falcons Win 24-17
panthers +3.5 over SAINTS
Yes I am being roped into the hook but I think the Cats are playing hard for Steve Wilks and want to finish off this season on a high note. I know the Saints defense is playing lights out right now but come on don’t you think Andy Dalton is due to throw a game away? I think he is, this game is going to be as gross as it is meaningless so take the under and thank me later, well just don’t watch this crap
Panthers Win 17-14
BILLS -7 OVER patriots
I was considering not doing this column in strike of the NFL if they played this weekend. But I think with the improvement of Damar Hamlin (and the low probability of this happening again, praying to god on this) I felt today it was okay to proceed with my column. Now I maybe am picking the Bills emotionally but this is an emotional game and no team is going to be more engaged than big blue.
Bills Win 34-10
BEARS +6 OVER vikings
I am well aware (as well as extremely shocked he’s even in the league) I am taking Nathan Peterman. But also listen to me here. Do the Vikings really have anything to play for here? They need to Niners to lose to David Blough and the already made their tee times Monday morning at the TPC at Scottsdale Arizona Cardinals for this game to matter to the Vikes. Just don’t watch this game please.
Vikings Win 20-17 (Bears cover)
BENGALS -9 OVER ravens
Due to the game being cancelled on Monday night this game means nothing to the Ravens. But because of other possibilities this game means a ton to the Bengals. Plus the Bengals players after what they witnessed need to play to get through the emotion of what happened on Monday night. For that reason and the Ravens QB is still Tyler Huntley (no disrespect to the Great Salt Lake) Cincy is side
Bengals Win 28-13
LATE WINDOW
rams +6 over SEAHAWKS
I keep wagering on Baker Mayfield what is wrong with me!!! Well in this spot I think it is a very logical choice to ride with the Baker and the fighting McVay’s in a spot where they could play spoiler. They aren’t playing for draft positioning anyways as the Mo Town kitties have their first round pick (Thank you Matthew Stafford) so why not play spoiler against the very flawed Seattle Seachickens, upset city
Rams Win 23-20
EAGLES -14 OVER giants
It sounds like Jalen Hurts is going to play and since Brian Daboll might play the cast from little Giants (instead of his actually 2022 New Jersey Giants) I think Jalen Hurts and the green birds go all Spike on them this Sunday. I kept raving about Gardnew Mishew and how White Goodman/Uncle Rico look alikes will always be a savior to their team I guess in this case I was proven wrong, Eagly bigly.
Eagles Win 31-10
cardinals +14 over 49ERS
Blough!!!!!! I think it would just prove everyone’s theory that Michael Bidwill is super cheap if Kliff Kingsbury actually is retained (which I am hearing is inconceivably possible) the one thing I will give Kliff credit for (as we see on hard knocks and the actual games themselves) is this team is still playing hard. I can see the 49ers kind of snoozing through much of this game so AZ covers the huge #
49ers Win 27-17 (Cardinals Cover)
chargers +3 over BRONCOS
Chase Daniel!! I see the power of the Missouri Tigers here plus I think the Chargers backups (which you can’t play all backups) can still beat what is left of the Broncos starters (which on offense is not many from when the year started). Plus wouldn’t it just be the cherry on top of this disaster of a season in the Mile High City to lose a home game to a team that can care less about winning, yeah sadly.
Chargers Win 24-23
COMMANDERS +7 OVER cowboys
I actually thought Sam Howell when I watched him at North Carolina could become a competent starting Quarterback in the NFL. He had a disappointing year in 2021 at UNC and his draft stock plummeted all the way to the 5th Round. However, against a Cowboys team that could take the food off the gas when they noticed they have nothing to play for Howell could play well in a close game.
Cowboys Win 23-20 (Commanders Cover)
SEASON FINALE
lions +5 over PACKERS
I was jumping on the table that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers would run the table from 4-8 to the postseason and I am jumping ship at the last moment to jump on team kitty bandwagon. I know it’s Jared Goff in the cold. I know it’s Dan Campbell in a big game, I know it’s Rodgers at Lambeau, I know it’s the most prestigious team versus most futile team. I’m doing it ladies and Gents, Lions are in
Lions Win 27-24
Last Week: 7-7-2
Season: 126-120-10