Kat's Corner: Week 16

BILLS -4.0 over DOLPHINS

The Bills need to win out in order to have a chance at making the playoffs so you would think that a desperate team at home has this game on lockdown.

JETS +16.5 over PATRIOTS

I know the Jets are awful and the Patriots are….well, the Patriots. But wow, 16.5 is a lot of points… 

TITANS -5.5 over JAGUARS

The run-happy titans should have no problem against the weak secondary of Jacksonville. Tennessee has a lot of weapons and should be primed to take this game, despite being on the road.

PACKERS -7.0 over VIKINGS

A divisional game that used to mean something, but the Vikings have plummeted in the 2nd half of the season, looking like a hopeless squad. Meanwhile the Packers are trending upwards, making for an easy win. 

CHARGERS -7.0 over BROWNS

The Browns are still winless, and I just can’t bet on them until they show me otherwise.

RAIDERS -3.5 over COLTS

I definitely do not trust the Colts defence on the road – particularly against an explosive offensive like the Raiders.

SAINTS -3.0 over BUCS

The Bucs last defeated the Saints not long ago on December 11th, so New Orleans will be looking for revenge. 

RAMS -4.5 over 49ers

Both of these teams are just horrible so I’ll flip a coin and go with the Home team with the slightly better record.

CARDINALS +8.0 over SEAHAWKS

I just don’t trust Seattle enough to give them over a touchdown in points. David Johnson is somehow quietly having an MVP season and no one is talking about him. He should put an end to that in this game. 

TEXANS -2.0 over BENGALS

The Texans are 6-1 at home this season, and with the late breaking news of AJ Green getting shut down for the season, I don’t like Cincy’s chances. I rank the Bengals as my number 1 bust this season.

STEELERS -6.0 over RAVENS

The 3 B’s are healthy and buzzing right now and could very well be the best QB-RB-WR combo in the game. And that is why I’m rolling with Steeltown. 

CHIEFS -3.0 over BRONCOS

The Chiefs should roll over Denver in order to keep their AFC West Title hopes alive. Tyreek Hill has blossomed into the most exciting player in the game and needs to be utilized more. If KC follows that plan, they should win easily. 

COWBOYS -6.5 over LIONS

The Cowboys have come out and said they are playing this game to win so it doesn’t sound like any of the regulars will get any rest. Which means the Cowboys should slaughter the lions without much trouble.

Kat's Corner: Week 15

RAMS +14.5 over SEAHAWKS

These Thursday Nighters have been nightmares to match, or “poop fests” as Richard Sherman put it so eloquently. The Seahawks will be bouncing back in a big way as they normally do, but Wilson is struggling pretty hard and I think the Rams will bounce back and play some inspired football with a new Head Coach. LA’s getting the loss, but I think they got the spread covered.

DOLPHINS -2.5 over JETS

Despite being at home this week, the Jets have gotten obliterated in their last 2 games and I don’t see them turning it around against the Dolphins – despite them playing without their starting QB.

PACKERS -5.5 over BEARS

This line should be way higher, but someone, somewhere must have some faith in Matt Barkley. Packers have won 3 straight and are playing like the team we all thought they would be at the beginning of the season. 

TEXANS -6.0 over JAGUARS

I don’t trust the Texans but I REALLY don’t trust the Jaguars. Add the fact that the Jags are on the road and there is your 6 point spread.

BILLS -10.0 over BROWNS

Although some have predicted otherwise, I don’t see this being a trap game. I think both Rex Ryan and Tyrod Taylor know this game could ultimately decide their future with the Bills and they will be pulling out all the stops in this one.

RAVENS -5.5 over EAGLES

Eagles have been pretty garbage on the road (1-6) and their defensive prowess has slowly dissipated. Look for Joe Flacco to have a big game in this tilt.

CHIEFS -5.5 over TITANS

Mariota threw for just 88 yards last week… that is worrisome. This is a big game for both teams and KC’s defence just might be the difference. I’m not liking this matchup for the Titans at all.

GIANTS -4.0 over LIONS

As evidenced by my picks this week, I’m liking home teams to dominate in week 15. The same can be said for the Giants against a banged up Matt Stafford and Theo Riddick – who may not even play. 

COLTS +4.5 over VIKINGS

Tough road battle for the Colts but I think they rebound from last week. 

STEELERS -3.0 over BENGALS

Bell is coming off a historic game and I don’t see him slowing down – this game may be a shootout so take the over, but I like Pittsburgh to come out on top.

SAINTS -2.5 over CARDINALS

I think I say this every week when picking the Saints; I just can’t pick against Drew Brees.

FALCONS -13.5 over 49ERS

This is a crazy spread and yet I am still taking the Falcons. That’s how highly I think of the 49ers. If Julio is playing then it’s a no brainer and the spread may even increase.

PATRIOTS -3.0 over BRONCOS

A solid rivalry but I don’t see the Broncos putting up enough offence to match New England’s, even without Rob Gronkowski. 

RAIDERS -3.0 over CHARGERS

Derek Carr will rebound and prove to everyone that one bad game was just an aberration. Amari Cooper has to be better as well, and should be.

COWBOYS -7.0 over BUCS

Cowboys will be eager for redemption after last week’s loss. Watch for Zeke to explode as he almost always does.

REDSKINS -6.5 over PANTHERS

Carolina actually has some decent defence, but I am adamant in my stance that Washington is the most underrated team in the league. 

Kat's Corner: Week 14

STEELERS -1.5 over BILLS

I have no idea why this spread is so low and why the Bills are so overvalued. The Steelers have won 3 straight games and are generally a much better team than the Bills. Vegas is giving way too much love for the home team in this one.

PANTHERS -1.0 over CHARGERS

The Panthers are winding down a forgettable season but still have some dangerous weapons – I think Greg Olsen is due for an explosion at home.

BENGALS -4.5 over BROWNS

This is another head scratcher… Even without Aj Green the Bengals are still a much superior team and should have no problem covering this spread – easy pick.

BEARS +7.5 over LIONS

The Lions are a way better team and will likely win this game, even with a questionable Theo Riddick, but their games are always seemingly so close. I think the Lions win, but they pull it out late with a field goal or game winning drive. Jordan Howard has proved he is the real deal and can takeover a game.

COLTS -6.5 over TEXANS

The Texans aren’t nearly as good their record suggests, and conversely, the Colts aren’t as bad as theirs. I’m thinking this game is a market correction.

VIKINGS -3.0 over JAGUARS

I’m mainly choosing the Vikes here because the Jaguars are so awful. No further explanation needed.

CARDINALS -2.0 over DOLPHINS

David Johnson will take over this game as he has all season long. The Dolphins aren’t exactly a great team and should get exploited with an offence that can randomly explode.

REDSKINS -2.0 over EAGLES

I’m continuing my theme this week by sticking with the road favourites.  Kirk Cousins should explode over a weak Eagles secondary. 

TITANS -2.0 over BRONCOS

I’m always weary of a team coming off a bye week, but they’re at home and the Titans offence have been dynamite this year. Marcus Mariota flys under the radar in Tennessee but he is low pro an MVP Candidate…as is Demarco Murray. But since they don’t play for the Cowboys they won’t get any consideration.

49ERS -3.0 over JETS

This is an awful game and I don’t plan on watching any of it, but you’d have to figure San Fran can take advantage of a New York team that just got destroyed by the Colts.

SAINTS +2.0 over BUCS

I just don’t trust Tampa or Jameis Winston yet, and I find it difficult to ever bet against Drew Brees and their weapons – I’ll take the Saints and the points here.

PACKERS +3.0 over SEAHAWKS

Seattle has not won in Green Bay since 1999, and that is all I need to bet on the Packers.

FALCONS -6.0 over RAMS

Another easy bet this week. Even without Julio this should be no problem – the Rams are a joke.

COWBOYS -3.5 over GIANTS

The Cowboys can clinch the NFC EAST with a victory and they know it. This should be a hard fought game but I see the Boys coming out on top with Zeke having a monster game.

PATRIOTS -6.5 over RAVENS

I would feel a lot more confident with this bet if Gronk was still playing, but Brady can still make magic happen without him. The Ravens are a solid team but this matchup doesn’t favour them. 

Kat's Corner: Week 13

CHIEFS +6.0 over FALCONS

Like I’ve said in previous weeks, I’ll usually side with Defence over Offense, despite the formidable weapons that Atlanta possesses. The Chiefs have won 6 of their last 7 games and I think they’ll expose a comfortable Matt Ryan.

RAVENS -3.5 over DOLPHINS

The Ravens have won 4 of the past 5 regular season meetings vs the Dolphins, and are generally a much better team. Ravens by at least a touchdown.

49ERS -2.5 over BEARS

Yes I am actually going with San Fran this week – Kaepernick has looked decent of late and the Bears are extremely banged up (even if they were healthy, they would still be awful).

EAGLES +1.5 over BENGALS

Eagles will rebound after last week, and the Bengals will not. Again, No AJ Green means no pick from me… the good news is he is questionable to return the following week.

PACKERS -6.5 over TEXANS

Aaron Rodgers looked like the Aaron Rodgers of old last week and I like him to continue that trend against a Houston team that I just don’t trust.

BRONCOS -3.5 over JAGUARS

Trevor Siemian has been ruled out this week vs the Jags but I still trust Denver’s defence enough to take care of business against one of the worst teams in the league.

RAMS +13.5 over PATRIOTS

Yes the Patriots are at home and are facing a considerably worse team, but they’re officially adapting to life without Gronk now. I still like New England to win this game, but not by almost 2 touchdowns. I’ll take the points from a sneaky LA Rams Squad.

SAINTS -6.0 over LIONS

Drew Brees is coming off a monster week, and with Ingram now likely to play, I am going to roll with the Saints over an enigmatic Lions team.

RAIDERS -3.0 over BILLS

The Bills enter December with a winning record for just the 3rd time since 1999. Despite that, they face a team that’s absolutely white hot in the Raiders right now. Derek Carr will look to improve upon his MVP-calibre season.

REDSKINS +1.0 over the CARDS

This game is a toss up…. And I am siding with Washington simply because they’re always so underrated and ostensibly always the underdog. I think the relish that role.

CHARGERS -3.5 over BUCS

Tyrell Williams is expected to play, which was ultimately the deciding factor in picking this game. This will be a shootout – whatever happens with this one; take the over.

SEAHAWKS -7.5 over PANTHERS

You have to expect Russell Wilson to rebound after last week’s horrible outing. Especially in this grudge match, where fighting words have already been used by Richard Sherman.

COLTS -2.0 over JETS

Andrew Luck is 0-2 against the Jets in his career but that changes on Monday. The Colts are just a better team than New York, although they haven’t really been playing like it. I still like my chances against the 3-8 New York Jets.

Kat's Corner: Week 12

LIONS -2.0 over VIKINGS

Typically in a Thursday Thanksgiving day game with the Vikings at home I would side with them, but I can’t bring myself to go against the Lions, who are one of the hottest teams in the league. These divisional games are tough but Stafford, Riddick, Tate and Boldin are firing right now. 

COWBOYS -6.0 over REDSKINS

The Cowboys are ostensibly the team to beat this year and I’m not betting on the Redskins to be the team to beat them, despite Kirk Cousins having a solid year, by his standards. Both Zeke and Dak are vying for MVP and it’ll be fun to watch who comes out on top. 

STEELERS -8.5 over COLTS

I think this will be a closer game than Vegas is giving credit for, but I can’t ever choose the Colts over the Steelers. With the best Running Back and the best Wide Receiver in all of football, there’s few teams I’ll choose over Pittsburgh.

RAVENS -3.5 over BENGALS

As long as AJ Green is out for the Bengals, I’m likely going to bet against them. Especially with the Ravens at home and with their platoon running back system, I’m thinking Baltimore.

BILLS -8.5 over JAGUARS

Blake Bortles has regressed… and with arguably the 2nd worst team in the league on the road against one of the best defensive teams in the league… I don’t like their chances at all. 

TITANS -6.0 over BEARS

Basically the only bright spot in this awful season for the Bears has been Jordan Howard. But he alone can’t make me choose the Bears against an emerging team like the Titans. 

GIANTS -6.5 over BROWNS

I have no idea why the spread is so low, but I am taking advantage of it… this is my lock of the week. It’s the Browns…Don’t even need to explain myself further.

CHARGERS -2.5 over TEXANS

As the spread indicates, this will be a close game… but the Chargers just have too many weapons for me to pick against them. Brock Osweiler is incredibly overpaid and the team is overachieving.

MIAMI -7.0 over 49ERS

Admittedly, I don’t love Miami, but you couldn’t force me to take San Fran right now under any circumstance. 

SAINTS -8.0 over RAMS

Drew Brees is quietly having an amazing year and although LA has strung together a better year than they were expected to, I still think New Orleans will win this one easily. 

SEAHWAWKS -5.5 over BUCS

Tampa is an underrated team that can light up the scoreboard in any given week, but I tend to side with Defence over Offence. 

RAIDERS -3.5 over PANTHERS

Derek Carr has thrown himself into the MVP conversation and has made the Raiders relevant again. Meantime the Panthers have done too little, too late this season. I like the Raiders at home.

PATRIOTS -8.0 over JETS

Even with a questionable Gronk, this rivalry has always been a bit one-sided. I will go with the Patriots 10 out of 10 times in this matchup.

BRONCOS -3.5 over CHIEFS

It’s been a long time since Spencer Ware has scored a touchdown, and I just don’t trust Alex Smith to make things happen against the best defence in the league, especially on the road.

PACKERS +3.5 over EAGLES

The Eagles haven’t lost a game at home this season but you have to assume the Packers will eventually pull it together….right?

 

Kat's Corner: Week 11

STEELERS -8.5 over BROWNS

This one is a no brainer – despite the fact that Pittsburgh isn’t as strong as they once looked earlier on in the season, the Browns may not win a game all year long. No hyperbole – they’re that bad. 

COWBOYS -7.5 over RAVENS

Dallas is firing on all cylinders and looks to be relatively healthy with Dez Bryant looking like the Dez of old. Dak has the vote of confidence from an active Tony Romo, and Zeke Elliott is primed to be MVP this year. Ravens have been playing solid lately but they just can’t compete with the boys. 

LIONS -6.5 over JAGUARS

Speaking of MVP Caliber seasons, Matt Stafford can throw his name into the mix. Coming off a bye week, and at home against one of the worst teams in the league, the Lions should have no issues taking care of Jacksonville. 

TITANS +2.5 over COLTS

Marcus Mariota just might be the hottest QB in the league right now. He’s thrown 7 combined touchdowns over his last 2 games, easily playing the best of his young career. It’s a tough matchup against their divisional rivals but I’m choosing to remember the Titans. 

BENGALS -2.5 over BILLS

I’m siding with the home team on this one, plus I just think Cincy has more dangerous weapons: Green, Hill, Bernard, Eiffert. The Bills… not so much.

CHIEFS -7.0 over BUCS

The Chiefs defence is really what impresses me the most, whereas the Bucs offence is slightly enigmatic. This game might end up being too close to call, but I’m leaning towards KC with their turnover ratio. 

GIANTS -6.5 over BEARS

No Alshon, no chance for Chicago. Not like the Bears were flourishing with him, anyway. 

CARDS +1.5 over VIKINGS

The Vikings are in free fall mode and I predict they won’t even make the playoffs when the dust settles. Their defence hid a lot of their deficiencies early on, but that’s not the case anymore – I’m going with the Cards.

DOLPHINS -1.5 over RAMS

This is a gross game and essentially a coin flip. I’m not sure what to expect with Jared Goff so I’ll assume he takes some time to adjust, as do most young quarterbacks. 

49ERS +12.5 over PATRIOTS

Please do not confuse this with: I think the 49ers will win… I do not think that for a second. But something about this game makes me think San Fran will cover the spread. Gronkowksi is sitting this one out with a punctured lung and the Patriots might take it easy on a very one-sided matchup. I say the Patriots win by 10 with the Niners getting a backdoor cover. 

SEAHAWKS -6.5 over EAGLES

Russell Wilson is back and looking like Russ from 2 years ago. With so many weapons at his disposal it’s hard to ever root against Seattle with a healthy Russell Wilson. 

PACKERS +3.0 over REDSKINS

Packers are definitely trending downwards, with Mike McCarthy likely on the hot seat – I think Green Bay pulls this one out, full aware this game / season could decide his future. 

RAIDERS -6.0 over TEXANS

Derek Carr and Amari Cooper have beautiful chemistry together that makes for must watch TV -- can’t wait for this Monday Nighter. 

The Wrap on the Raps

Things are looking good for the Toronto Raptors, who are currently 7-3 and sitting in 3rd in the Eastern Conference. Demar Derozan is leading the league in points per game, Kyle Lowry has quietly had a solid season so far as well, and the Raps have played well considering they have faced some very tough opponents. But no one seems to care, including myself. 

I find myself thinking back to last year…how close we were. The Raps made it to the conference finals, losing in 6 games to Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. And despite how well Toronto plays in the regular season…it’s just that; the regular season. We all know the Raptors are a good team… a playoff team. We know they’re destined to finish in 2nd – 4th in the conference, primed for a playoff series against probably the Bucks, Bulls, Pistons, etc. They should win, and likely will. But then they will face a bigger, badder, better task – as they did last year. 

I know most of you are probably saying, woah Kat – let’s not get ahead of yourself. But I can’t help it – I find myself in perpetual state of Raptors apathy. This is a very good team that will likely never advance further than a couple playoff rounds because the best player in the world is standing in our way. So long as Lebron James is healthy and an opponent of Toronto, we are in trouble.

Lebron averages almost 28 points per game in his career against the Raptors – a stat that only increases when the postseason comes around. In order to compete with Cleveland the Raps need that 3rd piece. Jonas Valanciunas and the oft-injured Demarre Carroll are not the answer to what prevents us from getting over the hump. We need a huge addition from Ujiri, that the Raps historically don’t make – but I remain hopeful.

I’ll continue to watch, cheer and hope for this team. But mainly I hope that Masai feels the same way that I do and is reading this!!

2017 NBA Predictions

After around the 10 game mark it’s probably a good time to make my 2017 NBA prognostications, before things get too obvious. There’s tons of storylines this year, and that’s why the NBA is unlike any other league – it truly is where amazing happens. Here’s how I think this season will breakdown:

Champion: Golden State Warriors

The Warriors and Cavaliers will meet again in the NBA Finals for a rubber match and the Warriors will win. Why, you ask? Because Golden State isn’t chasing that ridiculous 73-win mark anymore and can pace themselves. They clearly should have rested more down the stretch last year and suffered for it. The NBA season is long and grueling and star players need to rest – Gregg Popovich takes that approach and that is why the Spurs have been so successful the last 2 decades…one of the reasons at least.

MVP: Russell Westbrook

It’s clearly Russ vs Everybody this year. After Durant left him for better days, Russ has been playing like a bat out of hell and making every opponent pay. Hell hath no fury like an NBA all-star scorned. The problem is, that it’s only Westbrook and no one else on OKC. Seriously… can you name 1 other Thunder player? Exactly. 

Don’t Sleep on: The LA Clippers

The Clippers are 10-1 so far and look for real. Last year they ran into injury problems down the stretch to both Griffin and Paul and that ultimately hindered their performance. But a healthy Clippers team has already proven to be a force in the dangerous Western Conference. I think they’ll finish 2nd behind Golden State. 

Most Improved Player: James Harden

If this guy can prove that he can pass, then watch out. Not forcing the ball to Dwight Howard all the time can definitely help his overall game as well. He’s averaging almost 13 assists per game, which is insane compared to his apg historically. Watch out for the Rockets to do some damage in the playoffs. 

Dark Side Picks 2017