January 3, 2021 Picks:

College Basketball:

#25 Ohio State (-1) at #21 Minnesota - This matchup features two ranked teams from the Big Ten. That is a line we will be writing quite a bit this season, with the Big Ten seemingly having everyone ranked. This is a tough game to predict as these teams are evenly matched, but Minnesota is going to eek out a squeaker. Will be a very fun game to watch. Pick: Minnesota 78 Ohio State 76

#5 Houston (-2.5) at SMU - Houston is going to be ticked off going into this game. The Cougars just lost their first game of the season, a one point loss to Tulsa. They are going to come out with a vengeance and will dominate from the opening tip. Pick: Houston 85 SMU 71

#19 Northwestern vs #16 Michigan (-9) - Stop us if you have heard this before. Two ranked teams from the Big Ten are battling it out. Michigan is undefeated but has its toughest test yet, matching up with the Wildcats. Northwestern is in the middle of six straight games against ranked teams. That is how loaded the Big Ten is. In this one Michigan stays undefeated but does not cover. Pick: Michigan 80 Northwestern 74

NBA:

Boston (-8.5) at Detroit - Two days ago we had this exact same game and the line was Boston -9.5. The Celtics lost. Now the line has dropped a point. That is not enough to persuade me to pick the Pistons. Boston hasn’t been playing well this season, and they need this game as a confidence booster. Pick: Boston 114 Detroit 103

Washington at Brooklyn (-7.5) - The Nets are the Eastern Conferences version of the Clippers. They can beat anyone if they are locked in, but lose to anyone if they are disinterested. With Kyrie Irving on their team, they will be disinterested a lot. They will be locked in today though, and cover against the Wizards. Pick: Brooklyn 119 Washington 107

Los Angeles Lakers (-9.5) at Memphis - Anthony Davis had his get right game and the Grizzlies still don’t have Ja Morant. Even though this game is in Memphis the Lakers will cover. Pick: Los Angeles Lakers 125 Memphis 111

Denver (-8.5) at Minnesota - Denver shouldn’t be an eight point favorite against anyone right now. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic have been good to start the year, but they need more help from their role players. Not having Michael Porter Jr. in this game will keep them from a cover, but as Minnesota is also a mess right now, the Nuggets will get the win. Pick: Denver 104 Minnesota 97

Utah (-4.5) at San Antonio - San Antonio has lost three in a row, but two of those games have been battles against the Lakers and the other was a road tilt against the Pelicans. The Spurs are undervalued here and will get the win against a Utah team still waiting for Donovan Mitchell to turn on another gear. Pick: San Antonio 109 Utah 104

Dallas (-6) at Chicago - After that travesty of picking the Bulls a couple days ago, we will not make that mistake again. Mavericks roll. Pick: Dallas 118 Chicago 102

Los Angeles Clippers (-3.5) at Phoenix - The Clippers are playing a Nationally Televised game against a team with one loss. This feels like when the good Clippers show up. Phoenix has been a nice story, but today we will really see how good they are. Pick: Los Angeles Clippers 127 Phoenix 120

Portland (-5) at Golden State - Another game that was a rematch of two days ago. The Blazers dominated that game and the line moved one point. Five points still isn’t enough as Golden State is looking like they are heading to the lottery again. Pick: Portland 121 Golden State 105

NFL:

Miami (-3) at Buffalo - Both teams have something to play for. Miami is hunting for a playoff birth and Buffalo is looking for the #2 seed in the playoffs. Miami needs this game more since if they win they are in. Even with Fitzpatrick out the Dolphins will cover this one. Pick: Miami 27 Buffalo 20

Baltimore (-13.5) at Cincinnati - Baltimore is also in a win and they are in scenario. Unlike they Dolphins, they are playing a team they should beat. The Bengals have played valiantly since Burrow went down, but there is just not a lot of talent on their squad. Ravens win big. Pick: Baltimore 34 Cincinnati 17

Pittsburgh at Cleveland (-10) - A Mason Rudolph - Myles Garrett reunion. Pittsburgh actually has no business being in this game, as the Browns are playing for their lives and Roethlisberger isn’t playing. However these are the Browns. Things will be interesting late and Cleveland will not cover, but they will get the win and make the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Pick: Cleveland 23 Pittsburgh 21

Minnesota (-3) at Detroit - A game between two teams that won’t make the playoffs. Kirk Cousins always does well against the Lions, and that will continue today. Pick: Minnesota 31 Detroit 20

New York Jets at New England (-3) - For the first time since 2008 the Patriots aren’t in the playoffs. Meanwhile the Jets have won their last two games, costing themselves the first overall pick. Neither team has anything to play for other than pride, and the Patriots have more pride than the Jets. Pick: New England 27 New York Jets 20

Dallas (-2) at New York Giants - Unbelievably the 6-9 Cowboys and Giants can still make the playoffs. All the winner needs is a Washington loss and they are hosting a playoff game as the NFC East champ. Dallas takes care of business and then waits for Sunday night. Pick: Dallas 34 New York Giants 24

Atlanta at Tampa Bay (-7) - Tampa Bay is pretty much locked into the fifth seed in the NFC and a road date against the NFC East champs. Atlanta is playing for interim head coach Raheem Morris to keep his job. The Falcons want Morris to stay and will play like it. This game will be close throughout but the Buccaneers will prevail. Pick: Tampa Bay 31 Atlanta 27

Green Bay (-4.5) at Chicago - This will be a great game. Green Bay wins, they are the #1 seed in the NFC. Chicago wins, they make the playoffs. A lot on the line for the oldest rivalry in the NFL. If there is one thing we know, it is that in games like this don’t bet against Aaron Rodgers. Packers win, lock up the #1 seed, and keep the bears out of the playoffs. Pick: Green Bay 34 Chicago 27

Las Vegas (-2.5) at Denver - In what might be one of the oddest stats ever, the Raiders have lost 9 straight season finale, with four of those losses coming to the Broncs. Good enough stat for us. Denver wins. Pick: Denver 24 Las Vegas 20

Jacksonville at Indianapolis (-15) - The Colts need some help to make the playoffs. After their collapse against the Steelers last week they no longer control their own destiny. Indianapolis needs a win and a loss by either the Browns, Dolphins or Ravens to make the playoffs. We think all four teams will win and the Colts will be the odd team out. For the Jaguars if Gardner Minshew is starting they will cover. If he isn’t they won’t. We don’t think he is starting so the Colts will run away with this early. Pick: Indianapolis 41 Jacksonville 17

Los Angeles Chargers (-5.5) at Kansas City - This line is this way because the Chiefs are resting the majority of their stars. Justin Herbert and the Chargers could be playing for Anthony Lynn’s lives. Combine all that and the Chargers will win, but they will not cover. Pick: Los Angeles Chargers 27 Kansas City 24

Arizona (-2.5) at Los Angeles Rams - Both of these teams are looking to make the playoffs. Arizona is only a 2.5 point favorite despite the Rams playing a quarterback that has never thrown an NFL pass before. That alone is enough for me to take the Cardinals. Pick: Arizona 27 Los Angeles Rams 13

Seattle (-7) at San Francisco - The Seahawks have a slim chance at the #1 seed in the NFC. They need to win plus losses by Green Bay and New Orleans. They will hold up their end of the bargain but the other teams won’t cooperate and they will end the day the same way they started. As the #3 seed in the NFC. Pick: Seattle 27 San Francisco 17

New Orleans (-6) at Carolina - The Saints have no running backs. Depending on what happens with the Packers they could pull Drew Brees early. The Panthers play hard and together, they just don’t have much talent. Today that will be enough to earn a cover but not a win. Pick: New Orleans 23 Carolina 20

Tennessee (-7) at Houston - There is a chance that Tennessee loses the division. If they lose to the Texans and the Colts beat the Jaguars, Indianapolis takes it. That alone will be motivation enough for the Titans to play this game all the way through and cover. Pick: Tennessee 37 Houston 27

Washington (-6.5) at Philadelphia - Washington wins they make the playoffs. Jalen Hurts is looking to spoil the playoffs for Washington and Carson Wentz wants out of Philly. A lot of drama for the Eagles and Washington is on the rise. Washington makes the playoffs and covers today. Pick: Washington 30 Philadelphia 20

Happy picking everyone!