The ATS Checkdown: Week 11 Picks Against the Spread

After a tough Week 9 that saw both hosts of the ATS Checkdown post sub-.500 records, Matt and Sascha harnessed the harsh criticisms being hurled their way and each put forth a winning Week 10. Can they continue their success without the driving force of revenge?

And of course Pepparoni, the game-picking puppy, is back after suffering his first loss since Week 6. We’ll cut the pooch some slack for going 1-1 last week. After all, he is still 6-2 on the season.

Man, it’s a good thing we’re not employed by the Buffalo Bills. If so, our 9-6-1 combined record from a week ago would have us watching some younger, potentially more talented podcasters take over the show which Sascha and I have shed blood and tears for. So thanks SportsBettingDime.com for not being the dysfunctional Bills, whose fans somehow question why they haven’t made the playoffs since the 1999 season.

Speaking of playoffs, once Sascha and I are done poking fun at the Bills, we dive into the NFC playoff race and decide who’s getting in and who’s missing out (because screw records, our opinion should determine the playoff teams).

As always, we’ll recap the best and worst from last week (Week 10) in the NFL before offering our picks for every game on the Week 11 slate.

If you’re here for your weekly cute puppy fix, Pepperoni will not disappoint. Although, I knew we shouldn’t have given into his demands for more treats. The pup put together a perfect record in back-to-back weeks because he was hungry — figuratively, not literally. (I promise that I feed him.) Now he’s been given the world and he lost focus, posting a mediocre 1-1 record last week. But with household pride on the line, Pepperoni promises to get back to perfection for his loyal audience.