Johnny’s Quick Picks for Dec. 31, 2023
PITTSBURGH—
JOHNNY’S QUICK PICKS FOR DEC. 31 2023 – Welcome to my Quick Picks column, where I hand out winners, winners, and more winners every day. I fire off picks on everything from college hoops to the NHL.
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Read below for more John Fredericks Quick Picks for Dec. 31, 2023.
Happy New Year All! Let’s start off New Year’s Eve with some winners! No better way than to start with week 16 in the NFL! Lots of action!
 NFL
 Fish at Ravens (-3)
 Baltimore is the best team in the NFL as of today. Lamar Jackson is playing elite quarterback and the Ravens defense is suffocating. The Dolphins beat one team with a winning record who can’t win on the road.
This is an underlay at three.
Pick: Ravens (-3)
 S.F. (-14) at Washington
 Ever notice how the ‘Niners bounce back after embarrassing losses? This Washington franchise is a dumpster fire on all cylinders. All the coaches will be gone next season, the front office is a mess and their culture is one of losing. What is Washington playing for? There are likely to be more San Francisco fans in the stands.
Pick: SF (-14)
 Rams (-6) at Giants
 Don’t look now but the Rams are for real! Donaldson is back to playing his best football in a couple of seasons and Matt Stafford has been rejuvenated. This team is dangerous, and I think they will win a playoff game (or two).
The Giants are a clown show. Tommy Cutlets is back living in his parents basement.
Pick: Rams (-6)
 Pats (+15) at Bills
New England has shown its character: playing for nothing for a coach who is leaving they are knocking teams out of the playoffs on the road. 15 points here is way too many as the Pats defense is not a pushover.
 Pick: Pats (+15)
 Saints at Bucs (-2.5)
 Do you believe in Derek Carr and a .500 team or Baker Mayfield with an elite defense?
I don’t see New Orleans winning this must-win game on the road.
Pick: Tampa Bay (-2.5)
Dirty Birds (+3) at Bears
 It’s now or never for Atlanta. Their defense is solid, especially against the run. This game will determine the fate of Falcons Coach Arthur Smith. Everybody loves the Bears here at home except me.
Atlanta will play defense, kick field goals and hand the ball off 80 times.
 Pick: Dirty Birds (+3)
 Steelers at Seattle (-4)
 Stop. The Steelers are pitiful. They won a game last week at home – big deal. Don’t get swept up in the nonsense. This is a really bad offensive football team. Their secondary is a mess, too.
It’s Geno time.
 Pick: Seattle (-4)
 Pack at Vikes (-1)
 Who is the Vikings QB this week?
Who knows. Who cares. They are at home, and after a modest run, Green Bay spit the bit. I’m done with Packers this season.
 Pick: Vikes (-1)
 College Basketball
 Oakland Youngstown State (-3.5)
This is the best Youngstown State basketball team in the history of the program. The team is a solid group of seniors. They are 10-2 to start the season and 7-0 at home.
Oakland has really struggled on the road.
 Pick: Youngstown State (-3.5)
 Stanford at Arizona (-12)
 This is a blowout. Stanford beat Arizona last season on this court. Not today. The disparity in court talent is enormous.