After two dreadful weeks in the NFL, we finally bounced back and got the units over double digits. Unfortunately, our experience with college Bowl SZN might be short lived. We dabbled in two spots and lost both. It’s just so damn hard to cap any of these games with all the opt outs and coaching changes. Nevertheless, we’ll likely still play a few spots as we get into the “better” matchups.
We have ourselves a glorious Holiday football schedule: Two games Saturday, a solid slate Sunday for Xmas Eve, and then three more on the big day. We must not be on the naughty list with how Santa is treating us!
Current Record YTD:
NFL: 49-32-1 (+11.98 Units)
CFB: 41-42-2 (-4.86 Units)
NFL WEEK 16
Bengals at Steelers +2.5 Total 38.5 (Degens Best Bet)
Let’s be honest, it was kind of annoying when the Steelers were “good”. Well maybe they were never perceived as good to you, but Pittsburgh was 7-4 and in playoff contention just a few weeks ago. This is despite having one of the most miserable offenses in the NFL. I would literally get stopped on the streets of Midtown Manhattan by random people who looked confused and they’d ask me “sir, how the fuck are the Steelers winning football games?”. Okay that didn’t happen, but it wouldn’t be totally surprising if it did.
A once storied Steelers franchise now finds themselves on the verge of irrelevancy, and Mike Tomlin streak of 16 consecutive seasons with a winning record is also on the line. Kenny Pickett is hurt, Trubisky is bad, so the Steelers will turn to one man to save the season…
That’s right - we’re getting (Mason) Rudolph on Christmas Eve (eve)!
We’re still not sure if Kenny Pickett is the guy. He hasn’t looked great, but he’s also got the ultimate excuse of “Matt Canada blows”. Then we got a decent dose of Mitch Trubisky, who once led the Chicago Bears to the playoffs. The Steelers were 0-4 in games Mitch played, and he finished with 4 TDs and 6 INTs. The stats might look serviceable, but from what I watched with my own two eyes, Trubisky played with poop in his pants. I mean the guy was fucking terrified to do anything. Handing over the reins to a gunslinger with nothing to lose like Rudolph is a chance worth taking.
Remember when the Bengals season was over after Burrow went down? Well, Jake Browning has Cincy on a 3 game winning streak. His first start was against Pitt at home - a game where the Steelers won 16-10. The thought of Browning being out for revenge did give me some pause, but I’d rather lean into the fact that this Steelers defense is just able to give him fits. Jake’s wins came at Jacksonville and two games at home. I think a big game in Pittsburgh with the playoffs on the line, and without Jamar Chase, is going to be a perfect spot for regression.
The Pick: Steelers +2.5 (-110)
Bills at Chargers +12.5 Total 43.5 (Gregs Best Bet)
Fired Coach Alert! This isn’t just any fired coach - it’s one I’ve been waiting on for years. Goodbye, Brandon Staley! Now don’t get me wrong, the Chargers are still in terrible shape with Easton Stick leading the way. But this line feels like it’s gotten way out of control. It just doesn’t get lower than where the Chargers are. Embarrassed doesn’t even explain what the Raiders did to them last week. The team flat out quit on Brandon Staley and I certainly don’t blame them. Giff Smith steps in to lead the Bolts as the interm Head Coach. Feels a bit like an Antonio Pierce hire in Las Vegas, which should be great for morale in the short term.
On the other side of the ball, the Bills are riding as high as they’ve been all year. A blowout win over the Cowboys and all the early season mediocrity is forgotten. Before we get too carried away with Bills Mafia - remember, this is a team that lost to Mac Jones and Zak Wilson. Easton Stick keeping this within two possessions is well within reason.
Give me the Chargers in a fired coach system that’s 2/2 on the year.
The Pick: Chargers +12.5 (-105)
Colts at Falcons -2.5 Total 44.5 (Steaks Best Bet)
After a loss to the Panthers, the Falcons have finally put an end to the Desmond Ridder experience. It was (almost) fun while it lasted.
Yet another perennial NFL backup will get their chance to start this weekend, as Taylor Heinicke leads the charge for the Falcons.
Just about the only thing you can like here is that for the Falcons, at this point, is you got nowhere to go but up.
So why on earth is this team, after losing to the worst team in the NFL, favored over the Colts?
The Falcons went from dog to favorite and this one have all the makings of a “wrong team favored” type game… all the more reason for Steak to pounce.
The Pick: Falcons -2.5 (-110)
Come on Over, Over: Cowboys at Dolphins Total 50.5
The Bully Bowl! Both of these teams love to beat up on the little guys, but when it comes to hanging with the big dogs they all too often crumble and fold. Well, not this weekend. Someone has got to step up. We don’t have a side in this one, but we think both offenses are able to shine. Santa - all we want is points!
RECAP:
NFL
Steelers +2.5 (-105) Degen’s Best Bet
Chargers +12.5 (-105) Dino’s Best Bet
Falcons -2.5 (-110) Steak’s Best Bet
Cowboys/Dolphins Over 50.5