It may not seem like it, but last week was one of the most fun ones we’ve had in the 2019 season. There were ‘upsets’ that not only worked against-the-spread, but also straight-up surprises.
The 49ers took their first loss of the year. The Titans stunned the Chiefs. And the Falcons won arguably the most shocking game of the year, knocking off the Saints in New Orleans.
It’s the National Football League, and we love it.
Maybe the fans of those particular teams weren’t happy with the outcomes, but we should be. As I have written countless times in the past – and will write countless times in the future – a ‘popular’ team failing is the best thing that can happen to us. We rarely go with the ‘popular’ pick. Not until the numbers have subsided.
And that is why we had fun in Week 10. Because we actually do have some value where we wouldn’t otherwise. And it leads us to a more balanced set of picks than we have had in the past.
Below are predictions for each game against the spread. Spreads have been taken from various websites and are subject to change. The spread in parenthesis denotes the selected team. An asterisk denotes a confidence pick.
*Confidence Picks – 2019 Season: 32-29-2 (Last Week: 2-3)
(2018 Season: 63-48-4) (2017 Season: 53-48-4) (2016 Season: 53-67-3) (2015 Season: 69-45-2) (2014 Season: 61-46-2) (5-Year Total: 299-254-15)
All Picks Against Spread – 2019 Season: 74-71-3 (Last Week: 6-6-1)
(2018 Season: 137-118-12) (2017 Season: 137-119-11) (2016 Season: 123-136-8) (2015 Season: 143-117-7) (2014 Season: 149-114-4) (5-Year Total: 689-604-42)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
It always amazes me what catches people’s attention and what doesn’t.
The Cleveland Browns played well in the second-half of last season. People noticed. Quarterback Baker Mayfield compiled statistics, but didn’t grow as a passer. People ignored this.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have won four consecutive games and five-of-their-last-six. Everyone has noticed.