NFL Pro Football Pick 'ems 2019

Apparently Spidey sent out the invites a couple weeks ago for this year's NFL Pick 'ems contest. I only just noticed it. There are four of us signed up presently, including the annually dominant iwannaBlost. I fully expect everyone who's ever played this to do so again, and anyone who hasn't to jump in now.

Group ID: 2906
Password: lost815
URL: https://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/pickem

This is a fun and challenging game with major bragging rights attached. The more who play, the better. Let's see who knows their football.

Thanks for the reminder, I just signed up.  6 people so far.

Got signed up.

This will keep Peggy from bugging me.

I wouldn't have let you hear the end of it if you hadn't.

Peggy, I wish we could get the participants up into the 20s. That was great fun a couple of seasons ago.

I agree. I'd enjoy beating twenty more than I'll enjoy beating six.

Do i have to have a Yahoo account to play?

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

Do i have to have a Yahoo account to play?

Nah, just a Yahoo email.

Mine's, cowboys_real_fan@yahoo.xom. And, I use it just for our annual Pick'ems.

Fine. I was actually able to finally get a new Yahoo email... aka a Yahoo account.

So i joined.

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

Fine. I was actually able to finally get a new Yahoo email... aka a Yahoo account.

So i joined.

Welcome, HRD!    

I tried a few seasons in a row after i lost access to mrmo33@yahoo but they wouldn't let me start a new one.

This will be good.

I usually don't do this, but I'm feeling generous.

Don't forget, the season starts with the Thursday night game (09-05-19), Packers vs. Bears. So make this pick at least 5 minutes before the game.

You guys are scary good at this. When i worked at bigger restaurants, i got used to taking my co-workers lunch monies with these things (i'd always feed them anyway, fwiw), but i've seen some of what y'all do in these things and i'll be happy if i don't finish dead last.

I'm just glad i was able to get back in. I think LOST was still on the last year i was able to do more than spectate.

There are some obvious winners in this opening week of the season. But, there are a couple of tough picks.

1. Steelers vs. Patriots - The Pats loose there Center for the season. And, we all know how TB12 hates having pressure in his face. Will Pittsburgh exploit this lost to the detriment of New England?
The Steelers loose AB forever. Although, LeVeon Bell wasn't around at all last season, he's now in New York. Are they still a great Offense?

2. Packers vs. Bears - What will Green Bay's new Offense look like? Will A-aron be able to flourish? Clay Matthews is gone along will several other members of the Defense. Will they be able to stop the Bears Offense?

3. Bills vs. Jets - Here's another game I'm not sure of. How much will Bell help Darnold this season? Have the Bills got over the newness of their franchise QB?

4. 49ers vs. Bucs - Will Jimmy "G" propel the 49ers to the promised land? Will the "QB Whisperer" revive the career of Jameis Winston?

Which games are you having a tough time picking?

Packers in Chicago is definitely one of the tough ones imo, and i agree about SF and Tampa, too. I think Detroit at Arizona is a game that could potentially go either way.

It seems like a lot of people are having a tough time with Denver/Oakland, too, and i can understand why. The Raiders are definitely capable of losing to any other team on any given Sunday this year.

ALL nine of us picked Chicago? That's interesting.

Both those teams played like it was still 1919. I would have thought Chi would do better than three points in a home opener. GB could have been a good light-risk underdog to go for, but I was just not certain what to expect from the new QB-coach combo there, and I'm still not. Surprised we all agreed on that pick.

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

Both those teams played like it was still 1919. I would have thought Chi would do better than three points in a home opener...

Was that awful or what.
Glad Nagy reprimanded his Offense on such a poor showing.

Honestly, the "Pack" didn't look much better. Anytime you can hold an A-aron led Offense to 10-points, you should win.

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

Surprised we all agreed on that pick.

Me too. I thought that was the hardest pick of the week. I was also surprised, if only mildly, that so many people agreed with me about those home underdog Raiders, especially after all that A.B. chaos causing uncertainty and distraction.

In spite of every single one of us getting that wrong, last place still has a .667 pct, which is not bad. I wouldn't expect a lot of space after just 1 week, but only two points separating first and last place is pretty tight. It feels good to know that at least there's been one point in the season when i had as many points as the leader.

Is there any way for us to see how everybody did as far as tie-breakers, other than the standings list?

Oh, and who are "New Year/Same Team" and "Mad Men"???

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

...I was also surprised, if only mildly, that so many people agreed with me about those home underdog Raiders, especially after all that A.B. chaos causing uncertainty and distraction...

I changed this pick 3 times, before I stayed with Denver. The Broncos were another big disappointment as far as I'm concerned.

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

...Is there any way for us to see how everybody did as far as tie-breakers, other than the standings list?

I've wondered about that too, but I don't think there's a way.

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

...Oh, and who are "New Year/Same Team" and "Mad Men"???

I'm pretty sure Mad Men has played with us before, but I don't know who it is. You got any idea, Peggy? I think New Year/Same Team is new.

Mad Men has played for a while, Hodge. His name is Marshall if I'm remembering right; he had about 2000 posts over at the previous forum, and supports the Panthers and Lions. I just can't place New Year/Same Team, which is too bad as he's the current leader. And Mo, while we can obviously see each other's picks after the fact, I don't think there's a way to see each other's tie breakers. As NY/ST (officially) passed you after the Monday night games, one of those must have been a factor in his.

I remember Marshall2u. He was a contri at ltv and at MP, and was a chat regular for several months at at least one point.

Every single one of us has been wrong about both Thursday night games so far. I think this week it makes a lot more sense, as Carolina was at home and were favored by almost a touchdown. I'm still a little surprised that not one of us had Green Bay last week.

I think there are a lot of tough picks this week. There are 8 home underdogs: Detroit, Miami, Washington, Oakland, Denver, Atlanta, & both NY teams. 9 games have a betting line of a field goal or less.

I saw something in my news feed about a woman winning $600K by betting that the Pats would cover the spread against the Steelers by more than 20 points. The Pats were giving 6 points, so she needed them to win by 26, which seems like an excessive spread to bet against in the NFL. We see that kind of running up often in the NCAA, but not so often in the NFL. Nevertheless she has a LOT more money to bet with this week. Iirc, she was using a legal sports book in Atlantic City NJ.

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

...I think there are a lot of tough picks this week. There are 8 home underdogs: Detroit, Miami, Washington, Oakland, Denver, Atlanta, & both NY teams. 9 games have a betting line of a field goal or less...

I couldn't agree more:

1. 49ers @ Bengals
2. Vikings @ Packers
3. Seagulls @ Steelers
4. Saints @ Rams

You know you've had a tough week when Peggy Sawyer has a chance to win the week. Just damn!

The only saving grace...the Eagles lost, which puts my Cowboys on top of the NFC-East.

Cry me a river, Hodge.

I'm feeling pretty good about the week too.

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

Cry me a river, Hodge.

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

I'm feeling pretty good about the week too.

Whose idea was it to invite HRD to play anyway?

although i am not participating in this i'm glad that the Browns recovered from their opening day home humiliation to beat the jets who are going out of their way not to win any games.

pats and rams and 2-0. but please please please for heaven's sake no repeat of these two teams in the next superbowl. close games are more fun. regardless of who wins.

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

And Mo, while we can obviously see each other's picks after the fact, I don't think there's a way to see each other's tie breakers. As NY/ST (officially) passed you after the Monday night games, one of those must have been a factor in his.

This seems like an excellent opportunity to quote this.

Hodgepodge wrote:

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

Cry me a river, Hodge.

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

I'm feeling pretty good about the week too.

Whose idea was it to invite HRD to play anyway?

I'm pretty sure it was Peggy Sawyer's, even if she didn't realize it at the time.

davidalan wrote:

although i am not participating in this i'm glad that the Browns recovered from their opening day home humiliation to beat the jets who are going out of their way not to win any games...

BA, I know you saw OBJ's two magnificent plays:

Most of us blew it again on Thursday night. Marshall2u was the only one to take a chance on Jacksonville. (Gardner Minshew looks like the real deal, btw.) Every Thurs game this season has been an upset.

The 4pm games airing locally were Saints/Seagulls and Gigantes/Buccaneers, both games that every single one of us picked wrong.

I've had a poor showing this week so far, but if i'm reading the boards correctly, only Peggy Sawyer passed me on the leaderboard so far.

Finally had a pretty good week. I'm tied for the weekly win and hoping tonight's game puts me over the top.

I'm currently three behind the leader, but it's still early in the season.

Peggy, did you notice, like me, HRD will pick against his favorite team to get a win? He went with Seattle like the rest of us.

One more thing I noticed...everyone has piled on the Cowboys wagon to the Super Bowl.

Hodgepodge wrote:

Peggy, did you notice, like me, HRD will pick against his favorite team to get a win? He went with Seattle like the rest of us.

Yeah. Pathetic, isn't he?

Hodgepodge wrote:

One more thing I noticed...everyone has piled on the Cowboys wagon to the Super Bowl.

Who's everyone, Hodge? I thought they were less than impressive vs the Dolphins.

Sorry, but someone would have to have been drunk, blind, stupid, and South Sentinelese to pick the Dolphins over the Cowboys last week.

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

Yeah. Pathetic, isn't he?

Very few of us have the Patriots as their favorite team. Six time Super Bowl champion, and arguably the G.O.A.T. as their QB.  
Plus, we want to win this thing.

Speaking of winning...I won this week.    For the number of years I've played this thing, I can count the number of weekly wins on one hand with fingers left over.

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

Who's everyone, Hodge? I thought they were less than impressive vs the Dolphins.

Peggy, they looked awful in the first-half of that game. Then turned it on during the 3rd quarter.

The Detroit Lions strangely undefeated. Who's next for them? Chiefs at home. Yikes.

The Browns meanwhile continue to disappoint fans who every year have delusional expectations.

davidalan wrote:

The Detroit Lions strangely undefeated. Who's next for them? Chiefs at home. Yikes.

Yeah, I think their run is over. Although, Detroit has a sturdy Defense championed by their HC, Matt Patricia.

davidalan wrote:

...The Browns meanwhile continue to disappoint fans who every year have delusional expectations.

Okay, I'll give you that first lost. That was on the team. It was like they'd read their own press-clippings before playing the game.

This last lost belongs in the lap of HC, Freddie Kitchens. Awful calls throughout the game.

Man, having a tough time picking tomorrows winner (Eagles vs. Packers).
Rumor has it, Wentz will have one of his favorite targets back, Alshon Jefferies (spl).

As for picking against the Saints, i generally try to pick the team i think will win. I probably wear slightly Saints-tinted glasses when picking, but i definitely didn't expect the team to win on the road against a high-quality opponent a week after Brees got hurt.

Another unanimous choice bites the dust on Thursday. Didn't think GB would lose at home in prime time, against a team dealing with injuries. And they wouldn't have, had they simply...ran...the...ball.

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

As for picking against the Saints, i generally try to pick the team i think will win. I probably wear slightly Saints-tinted glasses when picking, but i definitely didn't expect the team to win on the road against a high-quality opponent a week after Brees got hurt.

I think it's also fair to mention that i was a Saints fan when a brown paper bag on the head was a common fashion choice in New Orleans, so i remember when nobody expected the Saints to win any game, for years at a time. Anybody who rooted for the Patriots in the early 90s might remember something that was almost as pathetic, if not quite.

_______________

The Thursday Night Underdog streak continues! MadMan is the only one of our entire league to have earned a point on Thursday night games. I considered picking Philly, partially because they had Jackson returning and partially because Green Bay had been too hot and was likely to get taken down a peg, but ultimately i based my decision on the same criterion that Peggy Sawyer did, as well as the unlikelihood of the Thursday Night favorite curse continuing.

There will likely be several very tight divisional races this year.

Peggy Sawyer wrote:

Another unanimous choice bites the dust on Thursday. Didn't think GB would lose at home in prime time, against a team dealing with injuries. And they wouldn't have, had they simply...ran...the...ball.

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

...The Thursday Night Underdog streak continues! MadMan is the only one of our entire league to have earned a point on Thursday night games. I considered picking Philly, partially because they had Jackson returning and partially because Green Bay had been too hot and was likely to get taken down a peg, but ultimately i based my decision on the same criterion that Peggy Sawyer did, as well as the unlikelihood of the Thursday Night favorite curse continuing...

How does that happen? I know. You guys are jinx!  

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

As for picking against the Saints, i generally try to pick the team i think will win. I probably wear slightly Saints-tinted glasses when picking, but i definitely didn't expect the team to win on the road against a high-quality opponent a week after Brees got hurt.

I think it's also fair to mention that i was a Saints fan when a brown paper bag on the head was a common fashion choice in New Orleans, so i remember when nobody expected the Saints to win any game, for years at a time. Anybody who rooted for the Patriots in the early 90s might remember something that was almost as pathetic, if not quite.

That's always been my criteria as well, HRD.

I was a Cowboys fan when they went 1-15, in 1989. Yes I remember the year. It will go down in infamy.

Well, y'all can just go right ahead and pick the Rams for this coming Thursday. It's fine with me.

Are you "New Year/Same Team" TBC?

I just realized i never did my tiebreakers for this week.




I might just go through and pick the rest of this year now, just in case i get too busy and/or forget at some point, at least i'll have a chance at some points if/when that happens.

browns triumph on the road. maybe they should move out of town?

lions in another close game struggle. playing tougher than i thought they would.

His Royal Dorkness wrote:

Are you "New Year/Same Team" TBC?

I think that's kathi c

eta: pippin, not kathi (lol). called himself johnny something.