Oddball: Week 12 Recap

Kirk hits another +500 parlay to get right back into the mix. Matt extends his losing streak to 4 weeks, an Oddball career-worst.

Oddball is our weekly NFL gambling competition where we each get $100 every weekend and try to outdo each other. The loser has to do the TB12 diet for a week. Let's see how we did in Week 12.

Matt's Picks

$100.00 wagered -$100.00 lost -$141.76 for the season

It was another week of ineptitude for me, as I lost money for the fourth-consecutive week. I looked back on our 2024 and 2023 tallies and surprisingly, this is the first time I've ever posted four negative totals in a row. I'm not sure what's going on and I don't like it one bit. I might need to throw a 6-point teaser into the mix, let Uncle Jack bet against quarterbacks to settle dubious grievances, or let friend-of-the-site Tyrod Taylor the newest season of Squid Game: The Challenge.

Now the pressure is mounting, as Kirk has closed within $17 of me in the season-long standings. He'll have an enormous bankroll heading into Thanksgiving week, but not very much time to analyze the Week 13 slate. Will that be an advantage or a disadvantage? Either way, I'm sure I'll be spending Thanksgiving on the couch sweating out bets and reeking of gravy and green bean casserole. Can't wait!

Adjusted Line Parlay (+118)

Lions (-5.5) Seahawks (-5.5) Saints (+7.5)

The Lions officially played themselves out of Super Bowl contender status by giving up 517 yards of total offense to Jameis Winston, Tyrone Tracy, Wan'dale Robinson, and the rest of the sad-sack New York Giants. In fact, the Lions needed a combination of terrible decision-making by Mike Kafka, putrid fourth quarter Giants defense, and a legendary 55-fantasy point performance from Jahmyr Gibbs just to take this one to overtime. This game was a full emotional hostage situation. I needed the Giants to lose, but I wanted them to win, but I actually wanted them to lose for draft pick purposes, but I also wanted Jameis to have his moment, but I was also playing against Jahmyr Gibbs in fantasy so even when the Lions were potentially winning money I was losing money, and I also wanted Shane Bowen to get fired so watching the defense fall apart again was... fine? I don't know. I'm not well. All I really know is this leg of the parlay tried its absolute hardest to rot off like a gangrenous limb, and yet it somehow staggered across the finish line.

Speaking of staggering across the finish line, the Seahawks were able to do just. Seattle led by 20 points multiple times in this game, but it was clear that they were on cruise control for most of the second half. Cam Ward looked so impressive in garbage time that it almost turned into recycling time, as he pulled his Titans within six points late in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, Seattle held on, but I needed every single one of my adjusted points to get out of the early window alive.

Heading into the late afternoon slate, I knew... just KNEW... that winning two excruciating nail biters earlier in the day and then having to put my trust in Tyler Shough was going to suck. And suck it did! Here are the Saints' offensive drives: First Quarter -Fumble

-Missed field goal

-Punt

Second Quarter -Punt -Missed field goal Third Quarter -Turnover on downs at the ATL 1-yard line

Fourth Quarter

-Field goal (took an intentional grounding penalty inside the ATL 5-yard line)

-Punt

-Turnover on downs -Interception in the end zone

I won't count the interception in the end zone to close the game, because it was a desperate Hail Mary situation that didn't really have a chance (even though it would have been enough to win me this bet). But even ignoring that play, the Saints left 17 points off of the board. Two missed field goals (6), a turnover on downs on the goal line (7), and settling for a field goal after a botched snap and intentional grounding penalty inside the 5-yard line (4).

But I guess that's what you get when you put awful teams into these parlays. Lesson learned (maybe).

❌ Lost $100.00

Kirk's Picks

$100.00 wagered +$541.67 won -$158.33 for the season

Go outside. Breathe in the fresh air. You're alive!

(and so is my season)

Let's Try That Again Parlay (+541)

Packers -6.5, Rams -6.5, Steelers @ Bears Over 44.5

I came. I saw. I put thought into another bet. I won.

It turns out this gambling thing is pretty easy sometimes. Let's break this one down.

1. J.J. McCarthy continued, as I predicted, on his personal journey to look like the biggest clown the NFL has ever seen. His attempts to rub as much eye black over his entire face in order to look like bootleg SPAWN has backfired. I love Spawn. And thus, I resent J.J. But not because of his football performance, that I loved. Thanks for the memories 9!

2. Unfortunately for my Birds, the Rams continued on their quest to become the sole Superbowl favorite in the NFC, and probably the entire league. Tampa was beat up and outclassed quickly not much to say on this one. Rest up Baker.

3. The Bears are a fun team and even with their warts Ben Johnson is pulling every ounce out of this group that's possible. I didn't think Caleb would last in the league, but he may have a shot. Now, having said that. I hope they get embarrassed on Black Friday. That'll be a stay away bet for me. Not because I'm afraid of them. My wife banned me from betting on Birds games she is present for due to my 'behavior'. A wise woman!

Last Thanksgiving I put a giant dagger into Matt with some huge wins. Let's see what I can cook up this year.

✅ Won $541.67

Bonus Bet

$100.00 wagered -$100.00 lost -$729.86 for the season

Note: Not part of the weekly totals. This is a brotherhood bet, a ritual sacrifice to Taranis so he doesn't smite us both.

Do you even need to read this part of the recap anymore to know the results? We are now 1-11 on the season, giving us a lower winning percentage than the NFL-worst Tennessee Titans. The only silver lining? Cam Ward looked kind of feisty on Sunday.

Same Game Parlay (+562)

• Josh Allen ATS ❌

• Josh Allen Under 222.50 Yards ✅

• James Cook ATS ✅

❌ Lost $100.00

Reminder to send your comments, questions, and general mockery to hello@illandodd.com and we'll respond if we feel like it!