loading...
League Logo
NFL
League Logo
NFL
League Logo
CFB
League Logo
NBA
League Logo
CBB
League Logo
NHL
All
  • Loading...
loading...
Avatar
Avatar

Mike Tierney

Top Dog

A veteran sportswriter whose work appears periodically in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, Mike Tierney has covered the NFL for decades and reported from seven Super Bowls. Mike does not consider himself a pet lover. But he likes 'dogs, preferring to evaluate each game from the underdog's point of view. Mike is 154-124-9 in the NFL the past two seasons, returning $1,586 to $100 players (every bet 1 unit). For Mike Tierney media inquiries, contact SportsLine@CBSInteractive.com.

@MTierneySports
LAST 98 NFL ATS PICKS
+1917
RECORD: 59-36-3
# 4 NFL EXPERT
+1917
59-36-3 IN LAST 98 NFL ATS PICKS

Get Access To
ALL PICKS FROM MIKE & THE REST OF OUR EXPERTS

Get Today's Winners Here

Mike's Picks (4 Live)

Jan 15 2025, 12:00 am UTC
League
Bulldogs
@ Tigers
Mike's PickSubscribers Only
Unit1.0
+170
6-4 in Last 10 NCAAB ATS Picks
+378
6-2 in Last 8 MISSST ATS Picks
Analysis:

The absence of Auburn’s injured Johni Broome, a frontrunner for national player of the year, will be felt more on rebounds than scoring . . .

Pick Made: 6:45 pm UTC on FanDuel
Jan 15 2025, 12:00 am UTC
League
Aggies
@ Wildcats
Mike's PickSubscribers Only
Unit1.0
+170
6-4 in Last 10 NCAAB ATS Picks
+291
4-1 in Last 5 TEXAM ATS Picks
Analysis:

With ailing Wade Taylor out, the Aggies are left with just one double-figure scorer . . .

Pick Made: 6:45 pm UTC on Caesars
Jan 15 2025, 4:00 am UTC
League
Knights
@ Sun Devils
Mike's PickSubscribers Only
Unit1.0
+170
6-4 in Last 10 NCAAB ATS Picks
+453
9-4 in Last 13 ARIZST ATS Picks
Analysis:

To begin its first long-distance trip as a Big 12 member, UCF hung tough Saturday at Arizona before bowing . .

Pick Made: 6:46 pm UTC on Caesars
Jan 19 2025, 11:30 pm UTC
League
Baltimore
@ Buffalo
Mike's PickSubscribers Only
Unit1.0
+1917
59-36-3 in Last 98 NFL ATS Picks
+1947
44-22-1 in Last 67 BAL ATS Picks
Analysis:

Home-field advantage around the league has been diminished . . .

Pick Made: 7:02 pm UTC on DraftKings

Mike's Past Picks

Jan 13 2025, 1:00 am UTC
League
Washington
23
@ Tampa Bay
20
+1917
59-36-3 in Last 98 NFL ATS Picks
+563
31-23-1 in Last 55 WAS ATS Picks
Analysis:

Sunday’s first game offered a reminder of the challenges facing rookie quarterbacks in road playoff games. Those teams fell to 5-18 straight-up with Denver’s loss at Buffalo as Bo Nix was average after the Broncos’ initial possession. Although Jayden Daniels is no typical first-year QB, the numbers don’t lie. For the Commanders, the bigger concern is their defense. It ranks 30th against the run, and Tampa Bay RB Bucky Irving and the rest of the ground attack are on a tear. It also has been sketchy against elite receivers, and there are few better than Mike Evans. Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield is 2-1 outright in the postseason, which inspires confidence against the untested Daniels.

Pick Made: Jan 12, 9:41 pm UTC on FanDuel
Jan 12 2025, 1:00 am UTC
League
Pittsburgh
14
@ Baltimore
28
+1917
59-36-3 in Last 98 NFL ATS Picks
+1947
44-22-1 in Last 67 BAL ATS Picks
Analysis:

Though Baltimore routed them a few weeks ago, the Steelers took the first round this season and have won eight of the last 10 meetings outright. Pittsburgh is mired in a four-game losing streak, but its conquerors are an impressive lot — Eagles, Ravens, Chiefs, Bengals. The belief here is that coach Mike Tomlin can dig them out of the slump, draw on his successful game-planning against Lamar Jackson and deliver a competitive game. Pittsburgh is 10-2 straight-up in the last dozen playoff games versus division foes, a testament to its preparation for a third face-off in the same season. The spread for the latest matchup was just 7.5, so this figure represents a leap, especially if standout Ravens WR Zay Flowers is out.

Pick Made: Jan 06, 7:32 pm UTC on BetMGM
Jan 11 2025, 9:30 pm UTC
League
L.A. Chargers
12
@ Houston
32
+1917
59-36-3 in Last 98 NFL ATS Picks
+1170
33-19-2 in Last 54 LAC ATS Picks
Analysis:

The superior team in this matchup is indisputable. Los Angeles enters with a +101 points differential, which is 101 better than Houston’s. The Chargers yielded a league-low 301 points. Its offense is on fire, having averaged 36 ppg over the past three weeks. ATS? L.A. is 12-5, Houston around .500. The visitors have won three in a row and five of six outright. The Texans dropped their last two games that mattered, scoring a combined 21 points. Weather is no factor for the visitors from SoCal, with the stadium enclosed if necessary. Home-field advantage is negligible this season, with away teams winning at a 47 percent clip. This is L.A.’s third consecutive road game. However, last Sunday’s involved a quick hop to nearby Las Vegas.

Pick Made: Jan 06, 6:45 pm UTC on FanDuel
Jan 10 2025, 12:30 am UTC
League
Fighting Irish
27
@ Nittany Lions
24
+1689
58-37 in Last 95 NCAAF Picks
+1545
51-32 in Last 83 NCAAF ATS Picks
+749
13-5 in Last 18 ND ATS Picks
Analysis:

Duel-threat QBs tend to thrive against defenses that do not excel against the rush and the pass. Penn State’s is superb at stopping the run, which could force so-so thrower Riley Leonard to challenge an above-average pass defense more than he would prefer. The Fighting Irish were afforded two fewer days than Penn Stare for R&R and prep time. Notre Dame’s main statistical concern is a low conversion rate in the red zone, an area in which the Nittany Lions are super-strong. Notre Dame is dealing with a flu outbreak. While most of the affected players reportedly are not starters, its depth could be compromised.

Pick Made: Jan 09, 8:58 pm UTC on Sugar House
Jan 06 2025, 1:20 am UTC
League
Minnesota
9
@ Detroit
31
+1383
69-50-2 in Last 121 NFL Picks
+378
6-2 in Last 8 NFL O/U Picks
+380
6-2 in Last 8 MIN O/U Picks
Analysis:

The final regular season game is poised to carry the highest total. That alone makes it a near-automatic Under play, particularly when one team (Minnesota) holds the fourth fewest points per game figure at 18.8. The first meeting did end with 60 points on the board, but the scoring included a rare scoop-and-score. A game with significant stakes often results in some cautious play-calling and heightened emphasis on defense. Though both coaches are disinclined to tighten the reins, at least some clock-burning is likely late if one side leads by two-plus scores.

Pick Made: Jan 03, 6:38 pm UTC on DraftKings
Jan 05 2025, 9:25 pm UTC
League
Miami
20
@ N.Y. Jets
32
+1917
59-36-3 in Last 98 NFL ATS Picks
+571
9-3 in Last 12 MIA ATS Picks
Analysis:

If QB Tua Tagovailoa is cleared to go after he sat out Sunday with an injury, this line is shooting up. Miami remains in the playoff chase, though it is counting on an unlikely Denver loss to Kansas City to stay eligible. The games will be played concurrently, so the Dolphins will take the field bent on winning since the Broncos' outcome won't be immediately clear. Even if backup Tyler Huntley takes the snaps, Miami should be fine. Huntley completed 22 of 26 passes against Cleveland on Sunday. Most of all, the Jets appear demoralized, having been hammered by Buffalo, and this is likely QB Aaron Rodgers' swan song in New York.

Pick Made: Dec 30, 4:21 pm UTC on Sugar House
Jan 05 2025, 9:25 pm UTC
League
Seattle
30
@ L.A. Rams
25
+1917
59-36-3 in Last 98 NFL ATS Picks
+1087
33-20-3 in Last 56 SEA ATS Picks
Analysis:

Rams coach Sean McVay was not kidding that he did not care about winning this game by declaring early this week that QB Matthew Stafford would be held out. Never mind that a win would give the NFC West champions a more favorable matchup in the playoffs. The Rams have also announced their intention to sit WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, along with RB Kyren Williams and two starting O-linemen. QB Geno Smith will not be lacking in incentive. He can secure up to $6 million in bonuses with a strong performance. The ‘Hawks can close out a stellar straight-up road record of 7-1, and the task just got easier with the opponent’s stated approach.

Pick Made: Jan 03, 9:35 pm UTC on FanDuel
Jan 05 2025, 9:25 pm UTC
League
L.A. Chargers
34
@ Las Vegas
20
+1917
59-36-3 in Last 98 NFL ATS Picks
+1170
33-19-2 in Last 54 LAC ATS Picks
Analysis:

The Chargers had to wait until Saturday for an extra jolt of motivation. With Pittsburgh stumbling against Cincinnati, a victory over the Raiders would lock up the fifth seed and a desirable wild-card matchup versus the Texans, who scare nobody. All season long, the Chargers have taken care of lesser foes. They have won seven of their last 10 outright, with losses to Baltimore, Kansas City and Tampa Bay. The Raiders have perked up, winning their last two games. Still, Las Vegas can claim only one victory all year against a foe with a plus-.500 record. This spread expectedly jumped after the Bengals-Steelers outcome but remains reasonable for Chargers backers.

Pick Made: Jan 05, 3:34 pm UTC on FanDuel
Jan 05 2025, 9:25 pm UTC
League
Kansas City
0
@ Denver
38
+1917
59-36-3 in Last 98 NFL ATS Picks
+911
16-6 in Last 22 DEN ATS Picks
Analysis:

Four seasons ago, Kansas City had locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC West when it played host to Las Vegas. Patrick Mahomes and fellow Chiefs standouts stayed on the sideline and watched the Raiders' 38-21 win. A similar scenario applies here. The difference is, while the Raiders had been eliminated, Denver must win to reach the playoffs. The Broncos will go all-out, seeking to build an insurmountable lead -- especially after frittering away Saturday's game at Cincinnati. The 8.5-point spot might sound steep, but Denver should come out gangbusters against an assortment of K.C. backups.

Pick Made: Dec 30, 4:08 pm UTC on FanDuel
Jan 05 2025, 9:25 pm UTC
League
San Francisco
24
@ Arizona
47
+1917
59-36-3 in Last 98 NFL ATS Picks
+400
4-0 in Last 4 SF ATS Picks
Analysis:

The 49ers have endured an epidemic of injuries, capped by QB Brock Purdy's bum elbow suffered on Monday night that ends his season. The defense was lacerated by Detroit, and the offense is missing a roll call of contributors. San Fran is staggering to the finish line in a short week. The Cardinals have been up-and-down -- mostly down in recent weeks -- but should be motivated to complete a season sweep of a division foe that historically dominates them. 'Zona scored a one-point win in the Bay Area in Week Six.

Pick Made: Dec 31, 8:53 pm UTC on DraftKings
Jan 05 2025, 6:00 pm UTC
League
New Orleans
19
@ Tampa Bay
27
+1383
69-50-2 in Last 121 NFL Picks
+378
6-2 in Last 8 NFL O/U Picks
+82
3-2-1 in Last 6 TB O/U Picks
Analysis:

New Orleans' last five games have resulted in 35, 25, 39, 34 and 35 points. Most of the blame falls on the team’s offense, which has been putrid. With the usual list of injured suspects sitting out, there's no reason to think it will find relief. The concern is Tampa Bay’s imposing offense and the need to win for a division title. Given a clear superiority in this matchup, the Buccaneers could - and should - lean on their rushing attack, shorten the game and coast home to preserve their players for a wild-card contest next weekend.

Pick Made: Jan 05, 5:15 pm UTC on BetMGM
© 2025 CBS INTERACTIVE INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. SportsLine and SportLine PRO are registered trademarks of SportsLine.com, Inc.FANS ONLY
In partnership with...247 Sports

FOLLOW US:

The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only and SportsLine makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event. There is no gambling offered on this site. This site contains commercial content and SportsLine may be compensated for the links provided on this site.