After a 12-0 week since Monday, we finally hit a bit of a roadblock on Friday going 1-2. Wisconsin was able to cover for us in their win over Indiana. However, the Blue Jackets and Pelicans could not get it done for us. We move to 112-79-3 on the year, a 57%-win percentage on the Winning Picks!
We have a huge day of action in the sports world this Saturday. The Divisional round of the NFL Playoffs, college basketball, UFC 297, last night Penguins hockey: something for every sports fan. Now with Pitt basketball today as well, I have to decide will the Penguins or Pitt make the Winning Picks?
My choice will be Pitt/Duke for the Winning Picks, so we will get to that game in a bit. Now for the Penguins, they will face the defending Stanley Cup Champion the Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas. The Pens were able to shut out the Knights back in Pittsburgh in November. Will it be a similar fate tonight for the Knights?
Given the Penguins extended stay in Vegas, I think that will work against them. Teams with more time on their hands in Sin City usually take advantage of what the city has to offer. Look for the Knights to avenge their loss from November tonight. As for college basketball, five top 10 teams will be on the road today. Expect some upsets tonight but tread lightly.
Now onto the Winning Picks!
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens (-9.5) O/U 43.5 4:30 PM on ABC
Steeler fans wish it was the Black & Gold facing the rival Ravens this weekend in Baltimore for a chance to beat their rival for the third time this year. Alas, it was not meant to be. Instead, Baltimore will face a team that they beat in the season opener that looks completely different from their Week 1 matchup.
You have to applaud the job DeMeco Ryans has done in his first year with the Houston Texans. Turning a team that was a bottom feeder for the last several years into a divisional winner and winning a playoff game is incredible. A lot of this has been because of the play of CJ Stroud, who already looks like a Top 10 QB in the league. But can the Ryans and Stroud lead the Texans to a place they have never been? The AFC Championship.
I really want to believe that, but this Ravens team could be the best John Harbaugh team since their Super Bowl run. I believe Lamar Jackson will find the end zone through the air and on the ground. Look for Odell Beckham Jr and Gus Edwards to score as well. As for the Texans, Nico Collins will continue his dominance and go over his receiving yards, finding the end zone as well.
As for the Winning Pick for this game, I like the over. The total is a little low with the books more than likely citing their Week 1 matchup where the Texans really struggled on offense. I think the Texans will be able to find the end zone a few times, but they won’t be able to keep pace with this Ravens offense.
Over 43.5 Covers, Houston Texans 17 Baltimore Ravens 28
Pitt Panthers at Duke Blue Devils (-13.5) O/U 141.5 8:00 PM on ACC Network
It has not been the start to ACC play that Jeff Chapel was looking for. After being one of the surprise teams in all of college basketball last season, Pitt sits tied for last place with Louisville in the ACC standings at 1-5. Will tonight get any better?
When Duke faced the Panthers a couple weeks ago, the Blue Devils took it to Pitt from the get-go, cruising to a victory. Duke looks like they can be a threat in the NCAA Tournament this year. Kyle Filipowski was unstoppable against Pitt in their first matchup and should continue his dominance today.
Pitt really needs to win this game to still have an outside shot of making the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, they do not have the firepower to keep pace in this game. I like the Blue Devils to win and cover tonight in Durham.
Duke Covers -13.5, Pitt Panthers 60 Duke Blue Devils 78
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers (-10) O/U 50.5 8:15 PM on FOX
The Green Bay Packers shocked the NFL by their drumming of a Dallas Cowboy team that had not lost at home in over 2 years. Jordan Love has officially arrived as the future quarterback of the Packers after having an up and down year but finishing strong. Now they will have to face a heavily favored San Francisco team looking to get back to the Super Bowl.
Rain will be in the forecast tonight for this game. Weather like this is very rare for 49er games in recent memory, but not for this rivalry with the Packers. In the 1990’s, these two times played in multiple rainy showdowns at Lambeau Field and at Candlestick Park, both of which were won by Green Bay. Another upset in the rain tonight?
I believe the 49ers will try to keep this game on the ground and limit Brock Purdy from making mistakes in the rain. Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel should both find the end zone on the ground. As for the Packers, Aaron Jones should carry over this performance from Sunday and score again.
Though I do believe the 49ers can win tonight, I like Green Bay to keep it close in the rain. The explosiveness of the San Francisco offense could be limited by the rain, giving the Packers a chance to hang around.
Packers Cover +10, Green Bay Packers 17 San Francisco 49ers 24
