Welcome to The Degenerate - Each week we’ll give you a few picks, insights, trends, and what to watch for on Sunday. Full disclosure - neither of us claim to be experts. We’re just two guys who’ve spent many years betting like chumps, and now we are passionate about helping others to avoid being one.
Another week of winners - We got crazy lucky on the Ravens cover, but no time to live in the past when you get to Week 15. ONWARD!
The NFL Sunday before Christmas is such an underrated day of football. You’re probably just getting in town and seeing old friends. You’ve been refining your gambling skills all season, and now it’s time to show them off, or get piss drunk and squander a season of winning. Plenty of fish out there this weekend – so tell Grandma to put a pot on, pour yourself a glass of nog, and punch in all the winners.
Traffic in the 305 - Pats @ Dolphins -1.5
I promise you we are not Pats homers, as this is now our 3rd time in 4 weeks we will be backing them. Betting on Belichick is like the art to stand-up comedy, it’s all about . . . timing! You have to know when to jump on the ship. There are a few reasons to back New England, but the most important one is his record against rookie QB’s. Not going to state what it is, because we’re very superstitious and don’t want to completely jinx it…but it’s good. This guy just does not like losing to rookies, and knows how to capitalize on their weaknesses. Until he retires, we will continue to invest when this situation presents itself. Cam got benched last week and we are back to the sky is falling in New England. But not today!
The Pick – Pats +1.5
I drink it up - Niners @ Cowboys +3
There’s no real reason to put this game on your ticket. But we just can’t help ourselves – the red rocket is about to put a winning streak together for big D. The Niners are crashing hard after that huge win against the Rams. With a roster decimated by injuries, it looked like they found some mojo and were going to be a problem. Then Buffalo and Washington popped their balloon and drank Shanahan’s milkshake. Give us Dalton to outperform Mullens and finish the season with some pride.
The Pick – Cowboys +3.5 (Buy the .5, just in case)
Bet the number, not the team - Eagles @ Cardinals -6.5
Hate this pick. HATE! IT! But it must be done. How could you not love Hurts coming in and upsetting the Saints last weekend? The Eagles got a spark from their rookie QB, and still have some hope to still make the playoffs. The only problem? Vegas thinks the Cardinals are a touchdown favorite, and that’s a few too many points. Kyler and the gang have not been impressing anyone as of late, so there’s no reason they should be laying this big of a number. Put ya head down, cry ya eyes out, and place the bet.
The Pick – Cardinals -6 (buy the .5)
Sharp play of the week - Chiefs @ Saints +3
Ohhh baby! If you backed the Saints last weekend against the Eagles, you’re going to want to double down here. That was the perfect setup for a game like this. The Chiefs only giving a field goal and offered at a cheap ML price? Every chump in town is going to want to jump on that. Show your old high school buddies how far you’ve come! Take the Saints to finance a round of Jameson for the crew. Tough to tell if there is going to be a Brees sighting at this point, but trust in Taysum and pour a little extra bourbon in that egg nog before you board the Saints train here. This one is going to be a wild ride.
The Pick – Saints +3
Player props:
Damien Harris rushing yards over
Kyler Murray rushing yards over
Quick hitters:
Broncos +6 - No reason the hopeless Broncos should be within a TD of the surging Bills. Love Lock. Love the altitude. Take the points.
Panthers +8.5 - It might be getting too easy. But fade Teddy as a favorite, and tail him as a dog. Pack should be double digits against one of the worst teams in the NFC. Sir Purr for the cover.
AHHHHHHH UNDA Seahawks Football Team U 44.5
Overall: 56-40