Stone Cold Locks Week 13 NFL, Championships NCAA

Stone Cold Locks

By Bob Gaughan

2023 Record 39-39-1

2022 Record 68-41-2

2021 record 62-49

2020 record 52-52-4

2019 Record 62-41-2

2018 Record 72-50-3

Total: 353-271-12=56%

Mr. Over/Under: Detroit -4 over New Orleans

It’s week 13 in the NFL. Are you superstitious? Thought I’d share this interesting fact with you. Only 5 teams, so far this year, have not beat a team with a winning record. Four of those five also have losing records:

The Bears, Titans, Giants and Pats. However, the one team that has a winning record, but has yet to beat another team with a winning record, are the Cowboys. Since we write our picks before the Thursday night game, that should change this week, as Dallas hosts the Seahawks. Probably the surprise upset of last week was Detroit losing on Thanksgiving Day. The Lions head to New Orleans this week, with 3 extra days to rest and prepare. They’re 4-1 on the road against a Saints team that is only 2-2 at home. The Lions average 27-points a game, which should be enough to cover a 4-point spread. I like Detroit -4.

Man in Stripes: New England Team total under 17.5

A little juice here is the key to get it to over 17. Pats come out of their bye having scored 13 points TOTAL in their last two games. Their QB situation is a disaster. Mac Jones has been benched 4 times including last week. Benched for Bailey Zappe, really! Maybe we see Malik Cunningham…Who? New England has hit over 18 points once in the last ten games, sorry Bills fans!! They are the worst offense in football on what probably will be a windy, rainy day in Foxborough. LAC 8-1, Pats 7-2 to the under in the last 9. Total here is 40. Pats top WR and RB are questionable too.

Early Stocking stuffers:

Bama/UGA Over 54.5

Carolina +5.5- new coach

Detroit -4.5 get right spot for Lions after Turkey Day Clunker

Louisville ML over FSU..pressure and injuries get to the Noles

Mono: Broncos +3.5 over Texans

We’re backing the red hot Broncos team on the road in Houston. Winners of five straight, Sean Payton and Russell Wilson turned this thing around and surprised everyone. They gave up 70 points and at times looked worse than the Nathaniel Hackett version of the Broncos, but not anymore. Vance Joseph and the defense are hungry for takeaways, averaging at least three per game during this stretch. The Broncos have also only given up 16 points during the winning streak. You look at the other side and CJ Stroud is impressive. Each game he plays he makes Dave Tepper and Carolina look silly. Demarco Ryans has done a phenomenal job with this team exceeding their pre-season win total of 5.5 in just 10 games. Many of their wins have come in one score games. Texans are going to air it out sporting the 2ndranked passing offense in the league at 276 yards per game. Stroud doesn’t turn it over with only 5 picks on the season and three came in one game. As Bills fans know a rushing attack led by Devin Singletary doesn’t scare anyone. The Broncos defense stinks on paper but they are opportunistic with their takeaways and that has won them some games this month. I expect Vance Joseph to dial up some pressure and confuse the young QB. The Broncos defense is equipped with one of the best corners in Patrick Surtain and All-Pro Justin Simmons at safety. The pressure is on Stroud in this one. The playoffs are indeed within reach. Russ and Payton know the clock is ticking and this is indeed a must win for their playoff hopes. Denver plus 3.5 is a no brainer. This game should come down to the wire and most likely a field goal.

Brutal: Louisville +2.5 over Florida State

Louisville played a solid game last week in Kentucky. People might look at the score but I watched the game. I’m taking Louisville all day. These two teams don’t like each other. I think Louisville is the better team, period. Florida State has shown weakness all year. Now they have a back-up QB that has to lead the way. Against common opponents Louisville was a +137 yards per game where FSU was only +65. Louisville has had record attendance this year so the fans should travel well to Charlotte. I would have liked Louisville even if Travis was healthy but I like them more now.

Philly: Double down: Louisville +2.5 over Florida State

FSU lost their Heisman hopeful QB Jordan Travis to a season ending injury. Florida State barely held on against a subpar Florida team last week. Louisville on the other hand lost to a middle of the road SEC team in Kentucky on rivalry weekend. While Louisville may not have a chance to make to the playoffs, an ACC title would be a feather in the cap to a great year. Louisville was led by their great defense. The Cards offense is plenty capable of putting up points against Florida State with Jack Plummer under center. Florida State was lucky last week, but I don’t see it the case this week.

Bob: Oregon -9.5 over Washington

I’ve watched both of these teams the last few weeks and I can tell you Oregon is playing better at this time. Vegas knows this by making the undefeated team a huge underdog. The winner of this game should go to the playoff. I think Oregon is playing like the best team in the country right now. Last week they destroyed a very good Oregon State team in the last “Civil War”. Earlier this year Washington beat Oregon in a game where they were out gained by over 120 yards. Bo Nix is playing at an elite level throwing 37 TD’s to only 2 interceptions. The biggest difference in this game is that Oregon has the much better defense. I don’t see Washington stopping Oregon in this one.