Above you see the fireworks display that Las Vegas set off in my honor when I won my first sports bet (that's probably not true, since I've never won a sports bet)... If you happen to use the website listed in the upper left hand corner of the picture, just tell them that Coach sent you (and they'll have absolutely no idea who I am)...
Oh, you came here for football you say... Well, I did much better last weekend, picking the correct winner of every game straight up, and now I'm only a couple of games below .500 as we enter this weekend's conference championship games. Joey is still four games ahead of me overall in the NFL playoffs, but evidently he's psychic or something, so I'm trying not to worry about it... Speaking of the man who always seems to be attacking a big plate of food while wearing Broncos gear, coming live to you from the Palace Station Sportsbook in Las Vegas, here's Joey...
Joey's College Hoops Parlay Card (Last weekend 2-6/Overall record of 20-18-1 on the 13-14 season)
Welcome to my next-to-favorite edition of the parlay card. My favorite will be in two weeks when my Denver Broncos will be in the Super Bowl. That might have given away one of my picks for football to come later. We will start with this weekend's basketball card...
We start in the SEC where Kentucky lost in overtime to Arkansas on a last-second dunk. Kentucky is a young team, but coming home I see them taking out the frustrations of the last game on Tennessee. It's Kentucky 80 Tennessee 67.
In the Big 12, Kansas State upset #25 Oklahoma. Now K-State takes on a West Virginia squad that loves the up-tempo. It's gonna be a downer for Kansas State as West Virginia wins this game 80-67.
Both Baylor and Oklahoma lost in the last week, and now both AD's are talking smack to each other in the papers. Baylor has the better team, coach, and home court. Baylor wins on a last-second shot, 69-68.
There are only three unbeaten teams left in college basketball. The Syracuse Orange are one, and after Saturday, the Orange will remain unbeaten. The outside shooting and ball control for Syracuse keeps this team rolling. It's Syracuse 67 Pittsburgh 62.
Finally, my New Mexico State Aggies take on the University of Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos on ESPN on Saturday night. The Aggies are leading the WAC in three-point shooting, rebounds, and assists. Plus, 3-0 in the WAC keeps them motivated for the NCAA Tourney. Saturday the Aggies win 87-70.
Kentucky (-8 1/2) vs. Tennessee - (Over 140 1/2)
West Virginia (+5) @ Kansas State -
Oklahoma (+6 1/2) @ Baylor - (Under 155)
Syracuse (-4 1/2) vs. Pittsburgh - (Over 126)
New Mexico State/UMKC -
And now it's time for the AFC and NFC Championship Games - where has the time gone???
Joey (17-10-3 during 2014 NFL playoffs)
Straight Up - (7-3)
Against The Spread - (5-3-2)
Over/Under - (5-4-1)
Picks for the NFL Conference Championships... AFC: This will be the best game of the entire playoffs. First, because Denver will move on and to the Super Bowl, and second, because Tom Brady won't. lol I think both teams try to run the ball - they have had success over the last couple of weeks. Denver's Knowshon Moreno has been a stud all year and Tom Brady has found a way to score without throwing a TD - just give it to Legarrette Blount. I love the under in the game, plus the Broncos win. Final Score - Denver 27 New England 17.
Denver's (Super Bowl) opponent looks to me like they will have to win on another last-second play. Seattle and San Francisco both have great defenses, but I'm taking the underdog in this game. San Francisco wins 20-17 on a last-second field goal.
Looks like I'm picking Denver and San Francisco in the Super Bowl. Football is almost over, but the NCAA Tourney is right around the corner, so keep betting the parlays and may all your tickets cash. Good luck and come cash your tickets at my window at Palace Station.
Alright, I did better on my picks last weekend, so I'm not using my 'Walter White' photo again this week...
Since we're supposed to have a high of 79 degrees here in the ATX on Monday, I thought that I'd bring back the photo of my favorite lifeguard, Mo (hey, we need one pretty face in the blog, right???)...
Coach (11-16-3 during the 2014 NFL playoffs)
Straight Up - (5-5)
Against The Spread - (2-6-2)
Over/Under - (4-5-1)
Sunday, January 19th
New England (12-4) at Denver (13-3) 2:00 p.m. CST CBS
Broncos (-5) Over/Under (56 1/2)
Final Score: Denver 26-16
This is where I tell you that in spite of all of the scores and predictions that you see me make in the blog, I really try to limit my betting to games that I'm really confident in, and that wouldn't be either of this week's contests. If either team wins either game, it will not shock me. As for the Broncos and Patriots, they met in New England back in Week 12, with the Pats taking a 34-31 win. In regards to scoring, I have to disagree with my friend Joey on this one - I think that we have another high-scoring game in store for us, in what may very well be the last playoff matchup between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Think about it - factor in their ages, and the odds of the playoff seedings aligning just right for them again... All I'm saying is that you better enjoy it Sunday, if you're the sentimental type... ;) The forecast for Sunday in Denver is a high of about 60 degrees, so the weather shouldn't be a factor in this one. I'm going to hedge my bets here, taking the Patriots with the points, but picking the Broncos to win outright... Broncos 38 Patriots 35
Sunday, January 19th
San Francisco (12-4) at Seattle (13-3) 5:30 p.m. CST FOX
Seahawks (-3 1/2) Over/Under (40)
Final Score: Seattle 23-17
The weather in Seattle is supposed to be in the low 50's on Sunday with a 20% chance of rain. If this forecast holds true, weather shouldn't be a factor here either. Back in Week 2, the Seahawks beat the 49ers 29-3 up in Seattle, and in Week 14, San Francisco returned the favor, knocking off the Seahawks 19-17 in Cali. Although these teams have solid defenses and both games have been 'under' this year, I have to think that the young quarterbacks will make some plays in this one (and heck, maybe the defenses will score also). Forty is just too low of a number (can you say "tempting" Coach?)... As for the winner, I've got to take the team that added players (most notably wide receivers) back to its roster as the season progressed. I expect another close game here... 49ers 24 Seahawks 20
Okay, so we're both giving you a Broncos/49ers Super Bowl, and the Vegas odds are giving you a Broncos/Seahawks title game - we shall see... Have a great football weekend!
I like those NFL picks. Not because I think you've got it right--I honestly have no idea, and I think both games are pretty much "pick'ems"--but because I want it to be Denver & SF in the Super Bowl. The Patriots play in the same general area as do the Celtics, so I'm always opposed to any Boston team winning. The Seahawks, because of their coach, are USC North to me, and as a Bruin, I hate them.
ReplyDeleteI hope you've got this right (for a change).
I probably pretty much guaranteed that it will be Patriots vs. Seahawks... ;)
ReplyDeleteWell, one out of 2. Seattle had a lot of help from the zebras.
ReplyDeleteHoping to see the Broncos kill the Seahawks in 2 weeks
What nice, warm weather city is hosting the Big Game this year again?
Rob, I'm honestly reading through your most recent blog entry right now (in little chunks) as I sort through some of my stuff and watch a t.v. movie... :) I made the comment again today (this time to Joey) that it's going to be very interesting if New York has "normal" February weather two weeks from now. Based on all of the history known to mankind, I really can't believe that the NFL scheduled the Super Bowl to be played there. Karma is starting to pay the NFL back already (and I'm sure that the league is THRILLED) in that both teams couldn't be based further from the east coast...
ReplyDeleteYou should be grateful I did my current post in three parts. I could have easily posted it all at once and it would have been three times as long.
DeletePart of me wants the weather to be so bad they have to postpone the game. That would teach them. If the weather is nice--like it was in Denver today--they may pull this crap more often.
I would love to know how many people HONESTLY thought that holding the Super Bowl New Jersey (New York - same difference for this conversation) would be a good idea. The number probably is way under the number of words in one of your posts Rob... ;)
ReplyDelete