Kat’s Corner: Week 10

PACKERS -2.5 over TITANS

I’m sorry, I really don’t see the Packers losing 3 games in a row – I just don’t. The titans are rolling right now but Mariota is still young and is susceptible to turnovers as we witnessed the previous week. He’ll continue to turn it over to a solid Packers secondary.  

REDSKINS -2.5 over VIKINGS

The Vikings have finally come down to earth and have been exposed. Losers of 3 in a row after their torrid start – their defence is now starting to suffer along with their offence. I predict the streak will keep going in week 10. 

BUCS +1.0 over BEARS

When it’s this close I typically side with the home team – and that’s why I’m choosing Tampa this week. Jameis Winston has admittedly been pretty inconsistent but there’s speculation Doug Martin could return and Mike Evans has been cleared to play from his concussion protocol. Plus I don’t know what to expect from Jay Cutler anymore – and neither do you…be honest.

PANTHERS -3.0 over CHIEFS

The Panthers have their groove back and have turned their season around in just the nick of time. This one is probably the trickiest game of the week with Spencer Ware returning but I just believe Carolina was nowhere near as bad as their record reflected at one point this season. Now the market corrects itself. 

FALCONS -2.0 over EAGLES

The Eagles have shutdown some pretty potent offences this season but I’m not going to root against Atlanta, even on the road. Matt Ryan is in the midst of his best season and has shown no sign of slowing down. The Eagles are coming off a dud of a week against the Giants and looked deflated. Until they show me they can steer the ship straight again I’m betting against them.

RAMS +1.5 over JETS

Ugh both these teams are horrible and this will be a brutal game -- I can’t believe I’m saying that with a matchup between Los Angeles and New York.  I’m going with the Rams because they’ve surprised some teams in the past this season but it really is a coin flip. I’m looking for Todd Gurley to finally break out.

SAINTS -3.0 over BRONCOS

The Broncos simply can’t score, and the Saints can score a lot. Typically in a battle of Offence vs Defence I side with the Defence, but this Saints team is explosive….and at home. 

TEXANS +2.0 over JAGS

Jaguars are a joke and arguably the 2nd worst team in the league. Blake Bortles can only really put up numbers in garbage time scenarios, which the Jags are constantly in. Hurns is hurt and Robinson has been a major bust this season. I’ll take Houston plus the points.

CHARGERS -4.0 over DOLPHINS

The Chargers just have too many weapons, even with the injury to Travis Benjamin. I predict Antonio Gates will explode over a weak Miami secondary. Taking the Chargers by at least a touchdown.

COWBOYS +2.5 over STEELERS

Big ben looked awful in his return as he historically is when coming back from an injury. I’m rolling with Dak until proven otherwise. Regardless this should be a very close, very high scoring game but I am sticking with the hot hand – as should Jerry Jones.

49ERS +13.5 over CARDINALS

Don’t get me wrong here… Arizona is indeed winning this game, but not by almost 2 touchdowns. The 49ers will cover the spread – Kaepernick threw for just under 400 yards last week and the team seem invigorated by him, despite getting blown out by the Saints. 49ers lose this one, but not by that much.

PATRIOTS -7.5 over SEAHAWKS

One of these teams is vastly different from their super bowl matchup, and one is pretty similar. I think it’s pretty obvious who fits whom in that description and that’s why I’m going with the Pats. Bill Belichick simply does not lose, as evidenced by his recent Donald Trump endorsement. 

BENGALS over GIANTS

The line is even for this game so it is a literal toss up. This game features 2 of the top 4 wide receivers in the game, so it’s a wash in that respect. Which means the running game will be the X-factor in this one and the Bengals without a doubt have the Giants beat there. Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard are the best 1, 1A platoon in the league and get utilized very efficiently – that’s why I’m going with Cincy.

Kat-Trick’s Hockey Picks

As the quarter-mark of the NHL season quickly approaches it’s about time I make my end of year predictions so I can loudly proclaim, “I told you so” from every rooftop I can find. 

Art Ross Winner: Patrick Kane

Yes I realize how rare it is in today’s nhl for a player to repeat this award, but he seems to have found serious chemistry with Panarin and Anisimov, making for the most dangerous line in hockey right now. Oh yah, he also plays with Toews on the power play too. Even if he doesn’t win it, he’s pretty much guaranteed a top 5 spot. 

Rocket Richard Winner: Steven Stamkos

The distraction that plagued him all year long last season is a thing of the past. Let’s be honest it’s either him or Ovechkin and I didn’t want to double up on every dude from last season. 

Hart Trophy Winner: Connor McDavid

If the Oilers make the playoffs how could it not be him? He is the Edmonton Oilers and is easily the most entertaining and important player in the league. 

Norris Trophy Winner: Shea Weber

Shea is currently leading the league in plus/minus and already making a big impact with his new team. The Subban trade for him didn’t make much sense at the time as Weber’s contract is pretty bad but he is still in his prime right now, which is likely why Marc Bergevin got him – the pressure is on to win now. The craziest stat I’ve seen so far: in the 10-0 blowout loss to the blue jackets, Weber had an even rating! How is it that even possible?

Calder Trophy Winner: Patrik Laine

Pretty much a toss up between him or Matthews, and since he scores more goals he’ll likely have a bigger impact. He has a deadly shot and is likely 1-2 years away from being a 40-goal scorer. 

Vezina Winner: Carey Price

There really is no doubt or question here. He’s the best goalie in the world and is pretty much a Stanley Cup away from being one of the best of all time. A healthy Carey Price is a scary thought for opponents. 

Stanley Cup Winner: Blackhawks over Canadiens

Blackhawks are rolling and don’t seem to have a weakness – plus Marian Hossa is proving that he still has enough left in the tank and last year was merely an aberration.   The Habs come out of the east with the best backend in the league: Markov, Weber, Price. You simply can’t beat that combo. 

Kat’s Corner: Week 9

Week 9 proves to be a tricky one as there are some favourable matchups that are hindered by injury scares and questionable starters. But that’s why you’re here… here’s my picks for this week. 

COLTS +7.5 over PACKERS

Randall Cobb remains limited at practice after missing last week, meantime, the Packers are still struggling to find a running back replacement since Eddie Lacy was placed on the IR. Green Bay is likely still fuming from last week’s 1-point loss to the Falcons, but that extra half point scares me. I think the Colts still lose this game, but not by over a touchdown.

RAVENS -2.5 over STEELERS

The Ravens have won 5 of the last 6 matchups against the Steelers. Big Ben is on track to return, but he is clearly being rushed back from injury. He’s hurt and that is clearly affecting the production of Brown, Bell, Croates and others. Both teams will be fresh coming off a bye week 

COWBOYS -7.0 over BROWNS

The Browns will eventually win a week, and they will eventually cover the spread, but not this week. Dak Attack is the confirmed starter and the hot rookie Zeke Elliott should explode; making for the 2nd most devastating loss the city of Cleveland will face this week. 

CHIEFS -7.5 over JAGUARS

This was initially clocked in at -9 but because of the injuries to Spencer Ware and Alex Smith, Vegas has moved on this a bit. It doesn’t matter because it’s the Chiefs at home against the pitiful Jaguars. Nick Foles is still a respectable Quarterback, not like he needs to be in this game. 

DOLPHINS -3.5 over JETS

Jay Ajayi has emerged as the latest flavour of the month, and I expect him to tear apart the Jets who are riding off of false confidence after a victory against the Browns last week. Dolphins are at home which was ultimately the deciding factor for myself.

EAGLES +2.5 over GIANTS

This is a tough divisional coin flip of a game, but I am landing on Philly.  The Eagles are coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss against the Cowboys so they’ll likely be playing some inspired football. Plus, Jordan Matthews looks to have turned it around with an 11 reception, 65 yard, TD performance. He’ll continue it this week.

LIONS +6 over VIKINGS

Minnesota looked absolutely awful in week 8, and with their Offensive Coordinator resigning after back-to-back losses, they may be in slight turmoil. Meantime, the Lions looked decent with Theo Riddick and Eric Ebron both returning from injuries. I don’t know if the Lions necessarily win this game, but I’ll definitely take the points.

PANTHERS -3 over RAMS

Cam looked like the Cam of old, last week.  The Panthers are generally not as bad as their record shows. I’m betting on a market correction and for them to bring in some momentum against the enigmatic La Rams.

SAINTS -4.5 over 49ERS

Great matchup this week for the Saints. Drew Brees is having another stellar year: 3rd in the league in passing yards, 2nd in the league in touchdowns. And the 49ers are just garbage. This polarizing matchup makes for an easy bet; Saints win by double digits if you ask me. 

TITANS +5.0 over CHARGERS

Marcus Mariota looks like the real deal, and the player the Titans hoped he was when they drafted him -- and has a favourable matchup against the Chargers. San Diego ranks 24th in passing defence and has had a propensity for giving up games late. Throw into the mix an MVP type season by Demarco Murray and I’m going with the Titans.

RAIDERS -1 over BRONCOS

This game really is a coin flip, hence the -1 spread so I’m really just going to go with the hotter team – that being the Raiders. Yes, they had a record high 23 penalties in their overtime game, but Derek Carr and Amari Cooper seem to finally be in sync with one another. I’m going with the explosive offensive of the Raiders.

BILLS +7 over SEAHAWKS

Russell Wilson hasn’t thrown for a touchdown since week 4. He is also on pace to rush for 89 yards. His injuries are clearly taking a toll and this season is basically a write off for him. The punishing Bills should be able to limit his game.  

Cleveland blew a 3-1 lead

We’ve all seen the signs, the social media posts, the trolling of Golden State blowing a 3-1 lead last season in the NBA finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In fact, the Cavs MADE SURE the Warriors did not forget.  But karma is a funny thing, and one could say that Cleveland got a taste of it’s own this week. 

The Chicago Cubs, who trailed 3-1 against the Cleveland Indians, became just the 6th team in MLB history to win the World Series, after trailing from a 3-1 deficit. So basically, Cleveland blew a 3-1 lead. The very slogan that Cleveland’s basketball team incessantly lamented over all summer long. Except this time it’s So Much Worse!!

It’s exponentially tougher to make the playoffs in baseball than it is in basketball. The Indians are a good team, that was even missing some of their best players and pitchers, but the reality is in baseball good teams don’t make the playoffs. They may not even make the playoffs for a long time, nevermind have a chance to win the world series again (see 1948 Indians drought).

In baseball, your momentum is only as good as your next day’s starter. And the Indians had several chances to change that momentum swing. Cleveland had arguably the 3 best pitchers of the series going for them in game 7 with Kluber, Miller and Allen, and they still could not get the job done.

The Warriors had already won a championship the year before….against the Cavaliers. This was merely a repeat performance for them. So as devastating as losing the 3-1 series was, they are technically now at one championship apiece vs the Cavs and this year should be considered the rubber match. 

In conclusion, karma is a bitch!

Dark Side Picks 2017