Gary “The Gut” Goombah – Week 20, 2025/’26
Let’s recap Week 19. ‘Twas another frustrating week for Gary, as he struggled once again picking NFL games. The last week of the regular season is always hard to gamble, since we don’t know who will even play, and how hard teams will actually try to win.
Week 19 Recap
NCAA Selections – all odds taken from Chicago Sun-Times
CFP Playoffs (3rd Round: January 8-9)
Fiesta Bowl : Miami Hurricanes (-3.5) over Ole Miss Rebels – This was truly a fantastic game. The ‘Canes edged the Rebels by a score of 31-27. That’s a four point cover! Result: WON!
Peach Bowl : Oregon Ducks (+4) over Indiana Hoosiers – The Hoosiers proved us wrong this time, as they dominated Oregon, just like they’ve dominated everybody almost all year. Gary has won some big cash on Indiana, and his “gut” told him they were due for a bad game. Nope. They killed Oregon by a a score of 56-22. Result: Lost
Gary’s “Lucky Seven” NFL Selections – Gary went strong on home field advantage, and for the most part, it didn’t work.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) over Carolina Panthers – Final Score: Tampa Bay won by just two points, 16-14. Result: Lost
San Francisco (+2.5) over Seattle Seahawks – Final Score: Seattle beat San Francisco 13-3. Result: Lost
Chicago Bears (-3) over Detroit Lions – Final Score: Detroit beat the Bears 19-16. Result: Lost
Minnesota Vikings (-9.5) over Green Bay Packers – Final Score: Minnesota handled Green Bay 16-3. Result: WON!
Houston Texans (-10) over Indianapolis Colts – Final Score: Houston won only eight points, 38-30. Result: Lost
Buffalo Bills (-7.5) over New York Jets – Final Score: Buffalo crushed the Jets, 35-8. Result: WON!
Baltimore Ravens (+4) over Pittsburgh Steelers at Pittsburgh – Final Score: Steelers won a close ballgame, 26-24. Result: WON!
Week 19 Results: 4-5 (44.4%) Overall; (1-1 NCAA, 3-4 NFL)
Season Results: 125-144-3 (46.5%) Overall; (67-79-2 NCAA, 58-65-1 NFL, with 2-0-1 on “Lock of the Week”)
Gary “The Gut” Goombah’s Week 20 Selections
NFL Playoffs Selections
Chicago Bears (+1.5) over Green Bay Packers – This is the biggest game for the Chicago Bears franchise since at least 2018 when Matt Nagy’s 12-4 North Champions lost in the infamous “Double Doink” game vs the Philadelphia Eagles. Perhaps it’s the biggest game since the 2010 NFC Championship game (21-14 loss) against these same hated Green Bay Packers. Can the Bears overcome their epic ollapses in big games? Can they get over their rivals dominance, which dates back over three decades now? The last time the Bears had the Packers number was probably 1992 when Coach Ditka prowled the sidelines. Under Da Coach’s leadership, the Bears beat the Packers 15 out of 20 games from 1983 until Ditka’s last season in 1992. Ever since, Green Bay has dominated the series. Overall, the Packers lead the total series 109-97-6. But now Coach Ben Johnson is in charge and change is on the horizon. Does it start tonight? PICK: Chicago Bears by a score of 27-20.
Los Angeles Rams (-10.5) over Carolina Panthers – The Rams are so much better than the Panthers. This is a mismatch, as far as NFL matchups are concerned. Gary expects the Rams to cover this large spread. PICK: L.A. Rams
Buffalo Bills (-1) over Jacksonville Jaguars – The hottest team as of late is the Jacksonville Jaguars. So how can Gary pick the Bills? Well, it’s called experience. Buffalo has a ton of playoff experience, including QB Josh Allen, who won’t let his team lose. PICK: Buffalo
San Francisco 49ers (+5.5) over Philadelphia Eagles – The defending NFL Champions, the Eagles are at home in the Playoffs. However, the 49ers offense is really good, and the last time these teams faced off in the NFC Playoffs, QB Brock Purdy tore his elbow. Do you remember that game? It was the NFC Championship in San Fran, and the Niners had virtually no chance once Purdy, and then the backup quarterback were both injured. It was really sad actually, because the 49ers were probably the better team, but they just couldn’t prove it because an injured Purdy had to come back in the game with his torn UCL elbow. He couldn’t even throw it ten yards, so it was virtually all screen passes. SAD! So now we have a rematch, and the ‘Niners will remember. PICK: San Francisco
New England Patriots (-3.5) over Los Angeles Chargers – A terrific coaching matchup, with Jim Harbaugh for L.A., and Mike Vrabel for New England. We have a hard time seeing the Patriots lose on their home field in the Playoffs, but maybe that’s just history talking. PICK: New England
Houston Texans (-3) over Pittsburgh Steelers – The Texans dominant D should drive them to the next round. PICK: Houston
That’s it for now. We’ll be back again next week for the NFL Divisional Round, as well as our selection for the CFP College Football National Championship! Until then, always remember….
“Whether rich or poor, thou shalt gamble more” – Gary “The Gut” Goombah’s mantra
Dutch Lion Sports 
Gary’s life experience wisdom spoke again and it stated in not as many words 😉: BUFFALO BILLS SHALL TRIUMPH. The universe heard and commanded: it shall be so. The almighty Josh Allen lead his powerfully potent teammates to the WIN. Is it possible that Gary, in his infinite wisdom, is foreseeing Josh leading them all the way to the dare I even think it, much less say it out loud and in print…….. SUPERBOWL?!! Yeah, I said it and dammit we’d better be headed there!
Thanks for your wisdom Gary!
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