Picks of the Week

An exhilarating (and money-making) way to finish up the NFL regular season by going 11-5, and only a play or two away from 13-3!!!

I will make my regular picks using the spread and count that toward my yearly totals.  I will also attempt to select just the winners of the games themselves.  I will do this first in the column, but these bets will not count against my yearly running total.

As  a reminder, each pick is using the spread (straight up is for wussies), and the betting line is from the same website each week as of the time of typing the entry. I keep a running tally of my record, plus my winnings/losses. We will "pretend" that I bet $100 on each game, with one game each week going for $250. Winnings/Losses will be calculated including a 10% vig, which just makes the math that much simpler. Now, on to the picks.

WINNERS

Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans
The Golden State Warriors are the only hotter team in North American sports.  Alex Smith is actually good, and the fact that Jamal Charles is hurt has only diversified and improved the Chiefs offense.

Pittsburgh Steelers over Cincinnati Bengals
I am not confident in this pick at all, as this game could go either way.  I just think that Roethlisberger's experience will help Pittsburgh when it counts in the fourth quarter.

Seattle Seahawks over Minnesota Vikings
Seattle is easily the best team in this game, and it isn't even close.

Washington Racists over Green Bay Packers
Because I can't select all four visiting teams (although watch Green Bay win and Cincinnati be the lone home team to be victorious).

AGAINST THE SPREAD - ACTUAL PICKS

Houston Texans +3 v. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are overall the better team and they are getting Lamar Houston back, perhaps their best defender and definitely their best pass rusher, so they should win the game; however, Houston's defense is no slouch and they are at home getting points, so this game should be close.  It will be interesting to see which receiver makes the most big plays, Jeremy Maclin or DeAndre Hopkins.  Hopefully this games ends with a late Travis Kelce touchdown for Kansas City to take the lead, just so we can see what type of dance Kelce does (and for which nobody complains - YES I AM TALKING TO YOU CAM NEWTON HATERS).

Cincinnati Bengals + 1 1/2 v. Pittsburgh Steelers
Would it surprise anyone if this was a 1 point game?  No.  Would it surprise anyone if Cincinnati won?  No (even though I picked Pittsburgh to win outright).  That is why I am taking the home underdog.  A.J. McCarron can sling the ball downfield, and Pittsburgh's secondary is a bit suspect (remember the New England game earlier in the year?).

BONUS SELECTION - OVER 44 1/2
Both the Bengals and Steelers can score a lot against each other.

Seattle Seahawks -4 at Minnesota Vikings
A lot of coverage is being given to the fact that the temperature could be as high as 1 degree tomorrow.  You know what isn't getting any coverage?  The fact that Seattle is much, much better than Minnesota.

Washington Racists -1 v. Green Bay Packers
I hate to do this to you Marcus, but Washington is actually playing much better ball than Green Bay right now, and GASP, Kirk Cousins is the better quarterback in this game (based upon their play this year only).  Green Bay has had problems running the ball, and they miss Jordy Nelson.  Washington spreads the ball around in the running and passing games, which could keep the Packers defense from keying in on any individual player.  Jordan Reed might be the best offensive player on the field tomorrow.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Alabama Crimson Tide -6 1/2 v. Clemson Tigers
Now, I have actually liked Clemson a lot this year, but I just think that the Alabama front 7 is so dominating that it will be tough for Clemson to get on track, whereas Clemson's best defensive lineman Shaq Lawson is injured.  Although he will play, if he isn't close to 100%, it will be hard for the Tigers.

BONUS SELECTION UNDER 50 1/2
Both defenses are better than the offenses that they are going against.  I see this game being something like 28-17 or 28-20.

Big Bet Game of the Week

Seattle Seahawks -4 at Minnesota Vikings
A lot of coverage is being given to the fact that the temperature could be as high as 1 degree tomorrow.  You know what isn't getting any coverage?  The fact that Seattle is much, much better than Minnesota.

Add to that the fact that although both quarterbacks are on the smaller side compared to the average NFL quarterbacks, Russell Wilson's hands are much, much bigger than Teddy Bridgewater's hands, which could make it difficult for the latter to get a good grip on the ball.  Expect a couple of bad throws from Bridgewater that either miss open receivers or float into the secondary for interceptions, and perhaps a fumble from a hit by Bennett.

Last Week's Record:  11-5

Year-to-Date Record: 124-109-5
Big Bet Last Week: 1-0
Big Bet Year-to-Date: 13-4
Winnings/(Losses) Last Week: $700
Winnings (Losses) Year-to-Date: $1,330