NFL Pro Football Pick 'ems 2018

Somewhat to my surprise, Spidey has started up his annual pick 'ems league again, an event we always have a lot of fun with. So, should anyone want to pit their NFL knowledge against the established brain trust, I do encourage you to go to https://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/pickem and join with the following info:

Group ID#: 11891
Password: lost815

I'm sure Spidey would agree that this is open to anyone, old or new to the game. The more the better. Maybe we'll even coax the few remaining no-shows to come over here and get involved.

Don't forget to have your picks in by "Thursday's" game.

Not sure why I do this every season. I could be up on the people who forget.

Great to see you here, Hodge. That said, prepare yourself for a battle this year, even if I forget half the games. (Oh, and Go Pats.)

Woohoo yay Broncos!! That one touchdown tho was not a touchdown IMO.

Zaphod wrote:

Woohoo yay Broncos!! That one touchdown tho was not a touchdown IMO.

Zaphod, Keenum looked pretty good too.
I'm already up by 3-picks/points on Peggy, so beating her will be just like the previous years.

yep Keenum looking a-right.

Hodgepodge wrote:

I'm already up by 3-picks/points on Peggy, so beating her will be just like the previous years.

There are always plenty of upsets on opening day...I just picked the wrong ones.

NE won and Dallas lost, so take that.

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

...Dallas lost, so take that.

She's still pure evil!

So far, I'v got 9 wins in Week 2, and currently stand in 2nd place.

Oh, and yes Peggy, I picked the Jags to upset the Patriots. So, take that!

I don't think the Jags beating the Patriots was an upset. The Jags, and the other Florida teams, look better this year.

double post.

You can say that again, BA!

I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the Jags. Jax Municipal is the only place i've ever seen a live NFL game. Granted, i don't call myself a fan nor closely follow the team, but i can never hate them.

Yes, the loss to JAX was an embarrassment, but these things are usually good for NE. We went right out and traded for Josh Gordon, a wideout we can really use. Obviously we need a running back as well. I thought we ran the ball MUCH too much in that game. It's early, and pretenders will pretend. I am not sold on Jacksonville.

Your team has had enough success. So much so that it's at a point where no one can argue with anything positive anyone has to say about them. They are a dynasty among dynasties.

The one and only thing that non Pats fans are waiting on is for Brady to retire. When he's gone, your team is done. Til then, have at it. You have more bragging rights than any team ever in the history of the game. Congratulations. I only wish that it had been done in such a way where the Pats weren't so deservingly despised for it.

Jacksonville gave NE a good game in the AFC title game last year, and if anything they look better this year, and they have a young quarterback whose skills are improving. IF those two teams both stay healthy, and should they meet again in the playoffs, i don't see much reason for strong confidence in New England.

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

...I am not sold on Jacksonville.

Honestly Peggy, I'm not either!

Bortles threw for over 300+ yards, an all time high, in that game. I don't believe he can do that on a regular basis.

I will say this, watching the game and knowing you were crying your eyes out, made my day.

Can't believe I wasn't the only one to pick the Browns last night.

I had 'em.

[quote="Hodgepodge"]

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

I will say this, watching the game and knowing you were crying your eyes out, made my day.

So glad I could entertain you. Really, though, what put me off about that game was McDaniels' play-calling. Just too much run, and we have no running back to speak of. Burkhead is certainly not a war horse type. I generally regard these early-season setbacks as a wake-up call, since the Pats almost always respond with vigor. Hoping to see Gordon out on the field as soon as possible, since wideout is another problem area (the Cowboys would know about that). And week 5 sees Edelman return. Not time to panic yet.

Wow, I'm having a bad start to Pick 'ems this year. I expected lots of upsets these first couple of weeks, but it isn't the logical underdogs who are winning, but the real longshots. Can't break this game's code yet, but plenty of time to turn it around.

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

Hodgepodge wrote:

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

I will say this, watching the game and knowing you were crying your eyes out, made my day.

So glad I could entertain you. Really, though, what put me off about that game was McDaniels' play-calling. Just too much run, and we have no running back to speak of. Burkhead is certainly not a war horse type. I generally regard these early-season setbacks as a wake-up call, since the Pats almost always respond with vigor. Hoping to see Gordon out on the field as soon as possible, since wideout is another problem area (the Cowboys would know about that). And week 5 sees Edelman return. Not time to panic yet...

Peggy, was that what TB-12 was angry about? Is that who he was screaming at while sitting on the bench?

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

...Wow, I'm having a bad start to Pick 'ems this year. I expected lots of upsets these first couple of weeks, but it isn't the logical underdogs who are winning, but the real longshots. Can't break this game's code yet, but plenty of time to turn it around.

Yeah, I've already doubled-up your score.
I'm beating you like a drum!
I'm beating you like you stole something!
I'm beating you like a rented mule!

And the Patriots beat the Cowboys in their last five matchups.

Thursday's game is tough to pick. Vikings vs. Rams!

Vikes looked past the Bills and got whipped. They should be looking to rebound.

Personally, the Rams are the best team in football, taking into consideration both sides of the ball.

Who you gonna pick?

Finished the 1st-quarter of our season in 2nd-place.  

I still don't understand how IwannabLost beats me every season. Well, it won't happen this season. So let it be written. So let it be done.

What is it about iwannablost? She's uncanny.

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

What is it about iwannablost? She's uncanny.

There's a story I was told, and I contribute it to her, that explains a lot.
Now, because I'm not sure she told me the story, I'm not going to tell it here. Oh I wannaBlost!

If I hadn't picked my 'Boys this week, I could've been tied for the weeks win. All of my other losses were good picks that went wrong.

Attribute?

I'm truly thinking about picking the Chiefs against the Patriots.

I know I said, I'd never pick against Brady again, but the Chiefs have a great chance.

The Pats are peaking, are at home, and have had a week and a half off. The Chiefs are on fire to the point that they don't think they can lose. This is the game of the year.

Well, at least this week's game of the year.

It really was a heck of a game. Definitely potential there for a postseason rematch.

Hodge, how about those Cowboys absolutely dominating the mighty Jaguars? I know the Jags were missing their featured runner, but that alone doesn't explain a 40-7 blowout.

My (and Mrs. Hodge's) Saints had the week off; Carolina lost and Atlanta beat Tampa, so good week for us so to speak. Up next is at Baltimore, who are 4-2, shut out the Titans today, and have the fewest points allowed in the League so far. Sure the Saints will score some, but the question of that game might be whether the Saints' D shows up for work for 4 quarters or not. Hopefully almost an extra week to prepare will help.

Jets looked great today, but against the sad sack Colts, i don't have high hopes for the Jets this year (or any year in quite a while).

That Dolphins upset of the Bears was quite the thing. I think i won a free Brock Osweiler Miami Dolphins jersey on Twitter thanks to a fortuitous and brave re-tweet.

Which reminds me... Hodge, Dak Prescott really looked better today than he has in quite a while. Considering how upset you were by the recent comparison of his stats to Brock Osweiler's, does it bug you at all that also today, Osweiler led the Dolphins to victory over the mighty Chicago Bears?

The Bills really need to cut Peterman. Jim Kelly even in his current state would be better. We have a pretty darn good defense but the offense keeps blowing up the game.

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

It really was a heck of a game. Definitely potential there for a postseason rematch...

It was a HELL of a game HRD.

The Chiefs came back to lead the game with minutes left too. The problem, they left time on the clock for Brady and company.

That Mahomes kid played a good game too. Just a couple of mistakes, but a couple is all the Pats need to win.

Oh, and the next time I pick against the New England Patriots, Peggy, slap me! So let it be written. So let it be done.

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

...Hodge, how about those Cowboys absolutely dominating the mighty Jaguars? I know the Jags were missing their featured runner, but that alone doesn't explain a 40-7 blowout...

HRD, I'd picked them to loose until I went back and looked at the previous games.
Loose, one. Win, one. Loose, one. Win, one. Loose, one! So I said, "they should win against the Jags". Plus, the Jags still have Bortles under Center.  

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

...My (and Mrs. Hodge's) Saints had the week off; Carolina lost and Atlanta beat Tampa, so good week for us so to speak. Up next is at Baltimore, who are 4-2, shut out the Titans today, and have the fewest points allowed in the League so far. Sure the Saints will score some, but the question of that game might be whether the Saints' D shows up for work for 4 quarters or not. Hopefully almost an extra week to prepare will help...

Not sure any team can outscore the Saints. That maybe their saving-grace.
So, you guys are 1+ on everyone else in the NFC-South.
And, what happened to the Atlanta Falcons. Oh Brian!

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

...That Dolphins upset of the Bears was quite the thing. I think i won a free Brock Osweiler Miami Dolphins jersey on Twitter thanks to a fortuitous and brave re-tweet.

Which reminds me... Hodge, Dak Prescott really looked better today than he has in quite a while. Considering how upset you were by the recent comparison of his stats to Brock Osweiler's, does it bug you at all that also today, Osweiler led the Dolphins to victory over the mighty Chicago Bears?

Has anyone heard how long Tannerhill is going to be out?
Man, what a lucky win against the Bears.
Curious, how many sacks did Mack have in the game?

Big John wrote:

The Bills really need to cut Peterman. Jim Kelly even in his current state would be better. We have a pretty darn good defense but the offense keeps blowing up the game.

Will Allen be ready to go for the next game?
Peterman may be the only QB you guys have left with any kind of knowledge of the Offense.

Wait a minute! How bad are the Oakland Raiders?

I decided to change my pick in that 'Boys vs. 'Skins game.

I make these picks using emotion instead of logic. Hence, I'm getting my butt kicked.

You also happen to have some pretty high-level competition.

Quit schmoozing Mo. Everyone likes you already. You're in. You don't have to do that anymore.

Hodgepodge wrote:

I decided to change my pick in that 'Boys vs. 'Skins game.

Yeah, I'd picked them to loose this game, but figured with first place in the Division on the line, the 'Boys would play like there wasn't a tomorrow. So, I changed the pick to a win. Boy, was I stupid!  

Big John wrote:

I make these picks using emotion instead of logic. Hence, I'm getting my butt kicked.

BJ, several years ago, my picking was so bad, I started picking winners by who had the better uniforms.

HRD, were you aware the New Orleans Saints are a slight favorite against the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday?

Man, I really have no idea who I'm going to pick.    

I had no idea. I didn't realize that that game is going to be played in The Big Easy. NO is favored by less than home field, and that could change if Kupp's injury status is upgraded.

I think that the Saints have a way to go yet before they're playing up to their potential. It is a tough call, particularly with the Rams so far unbeaten, but i'd pick L.A. if i were picking this year. This is another game that could see a rematch in the postseason, so i don't expect Brees and Payton to tip their proverbial hand too much.

This is gonna be my week. I predict all of my pics will be winners.

This was a tough week for yours truly.
The only good thing, I'm still in 3rd-place, because everyone else is so far behind.

Didn't get to study my picks this week. As a matter of fact, didn't make the TNF pick due to a death in a friends family.

Can't remember this many fires in SoCal since that meteor hit back in the prehistoric days.
With the above, I still only fell one game behind the week's winner, Iwannablost. I hate her!

Man, this was a tough week for yours truly.
So far, I've got 4 wins for the week, with MNF the remaining game.
But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel...This is two weeks in a row that I've picked against my 'Boys and in both cases, they won the game. I'm sure you realize what that means.

Hodgepodge wrote:

Man, this was a tough week for yours truly.
So far, I've got 4 wins for the week, with MNF the remaining game.
But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel...This is two weeks in a row that I've picked against my 'Boys and in both cases, they won the game. I'm sure you realize what that means.

Another tough week for you know who.
You know its bad when even Peggy Sawyer has more wins for the week than you do.
That same light is at the end of the tunnel though, I picked against my 'Boys again and they won. Needless to say, I'll pick against them this week.

Glad I had more wins than somebody this week, even if it's only you, Hodge.

I tried a new strategy this year and pretty much collapsed in the first week, never to recover. I still find that picking the Pats to win every week is a quick guarantor of 10+ wins a season, the reverse being true of the Boys. If only other teams were as reliable. Speaking of reliable, looks like iwBl is going to take this contest again!

WOW...I guess I'll eat my words about Dallas. Beating the Saints in a good, old-fashioned, defensive game. As convincing as it was unexpected.

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

WOW...I guess I'll eat my words about Dallas. Beating the Saints in a good, old-fashioned, defensive game. As convincing as it was unexpected.

They came to play, Peggy.

I figured it would be a low-scoring affair, something like, 27-24, with the Saints winning. But, 13-10, for the 'Boys.

Oh, and the most important fact...I picked against the 'Boy for the third straight game. And, they won all three.

How 'bout them Cowboys!            

I truly don't understand how often Iwannablost wins our Pick'ems.
I've played every season since the beginning, and I've only won once.
She's won at least 4 or 5 times.
I say we ban her next season. Who's with me?

Curious how many of us are going to take the Bears in the SNF game?

I'll be rooting for the Bears. At this point, they're The Saints's best chance for the top seed in the NFC.