Just so everything is on the up-and-up, I’ll post my Thursday night pick right meow.
Cleveland +14 @Pittsburgh – Pittsburgh. <The evil oddsmaker over my shoulder sports an evil grin and drums his finger tips together.> When I saw this line I said to myself immediately: ”Steelers.” Reproach slapped me in the face and called me a dumb gambler. “Rule number one,” I remind myself, “the book makes money on dummies over-betting big favorites.” Then I looked at the numbers. Since 2006, the Steelers have beaten the Browns in Pittsburgh by scores of 27-7, 31-28, 31-0, 27-14, and 28-10. So the Steelers would have covered a 14 point spread in 3 of those 5 games, NARROWLY missing a 4th back in 2009. Also, on Thursday night since 2006 there has been just one spread of 14 points or more which favored the home team. It was last year…in Pittsburgh. The Steelers beat Carolina 27-3 at home on Thursday night in week 16 to cover a 14 point spread. Sold. Though, I’m still a dummy.
