NFL Pick 'em Week 8

[Dragon]

Sun, Oct 26
OAK at BAL
ARI at CAR
TB at DAL
WAS at DET
BUF at MIA
STL at NE
SD at NO (in London)
KC at NYJ
ATL at PHI
CLE at JAX
CIN at HOU
NYG at PIT
SEA at SF

Mon, Oct 27
IND at TEN

Byes: Bears, Broncos, Packers, Vikings

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Sun, Oct 26
OAK at BAL W
ARI at CAR W
TB W at DAL
WAS W at DET
BUF at MIA W
STL at NE W
SD at NO W
KC at NYJ W
ATL at PHI W
CLE at JAX W
CIN at HOU W
NYG at PIT W
SEA at SF W

Mon, Oct 27
IND at TEN W

[Park Kraken]

Sun, Oct 26
OAK at BAL (W)
ARI at CAR (W)
TB (W) at DAL
WAS (W) at DET
BUF (W) at MIA
STL at NE (W)
SD (W) at NO (in London)
KC at NYJ (W)
ATL (W) at PHI
CLE at JAX (W)
CIN at HOU (W)
NYG at PIT (W) (upset pick)
SEA (W) at SF

Mon, Oct 27
IND at TEN (W)

Byes: Bears, Broncos, Packers, Vikings

[Dragon]

Sun, Oct 26
OAK at BAL WIN
ARI WIN at CAR
TB WIN at DAL
WAS WIN at DET
BUF WIN at MIA
STL at NE WIN
SD WIN at NO
KC at NYJ WIN
ATL at PHI WIN
CLE at JAX WIN
CIN at HOU WIN (poor Bungles)
NYG at PIT WIN
SEA at SF WIN

Mon, Oct 27
IND WIN at TEN

[Jedi Master Carr]

Sun, Oct 26
OAK at BAL W
W ARI at CAR
W TB at DAL
W WAS at DET
W BUF at MIA
STL at NE W
W SD at NO (in London)
KC at NYJ W
ATL at PHI W
CLE at JAX W
CIN at HOU W
NYG at PIT W
SEA at SF W

Mon, Oct 27
IND at TEN W I think the Titans will dominant.

[Miranda Tarkin]

Sun, Oct 26
OAK at BAL (W)
ARI at CAR (W)
TB (W) at DAL
WAS (W) at DET
BUF (W) at MIA
STL at NE (W)
SD at NO (W)
KC at NYJ (W)
ATL (W) at PHI
CLE at JAX (W)
CIN at HOU (W)
NYG at PIT (W)
SEA at SF (W)

Mon, Oct 27
IND at TEN (W)

[Rutabaga]

I couldn't get the site to load today, and I was afraid I was going to miss posting my picks in time for the games tomorrow. But thanks to Yog, here I be! :eee

Sun, Oct 26
OAK at BAL WIN
ARI at CAR WIN
TB WIN at DAL
WAS WIN at DET
BUF WIN at MIA
STL at NE WIN
SD WIN at NO (in London)
KC at NYJ WIN
ATL at PHI WIN
CLE at JAX WIN
CIN at HOU WIN
NYG WIN at PIT
SEA at SF WIN

Mon, Oct 27
IND at TEN WIN

[Liam Jinn]

Sun, Oct 26
OAK at BAL (W)
ARI at CAR (W)
TB at DAL (W)
WAS (W) at DET
BUF (W) at MIA
STL at NE (W)
SD (W) at NO (in London)
KC at NYJ (W)
ATL at PHI (W)
CLE at JAX (W)
CIN at HOU (W)
NYG at PIT (W)
SEA at SF (W)

Mon, Oct 27
IND at TEN (W)

[Yog]

Sun, Oct 26
OAK at BAL (W)
ARI at CAR (W)
TB (W) at DAL :(
WAS (W) at DET
BUF (W) at MIA
STL at NE (W)
SD (W) at NO (in London)
KC at NYJ (W)
ATL at PHI (W)
CLE at JAX (W)
CIN at HOU (W)
NYG at PIT (W)
SEA at SF (W)

Mon, Oct 27
IND at TEN (W)

Looks like quite a few people might not be able to submit their picks in time due to the DNS problems. I'll put my picks up just in case, although I guess this week will be void.

[Ryan Pode]

Sun, Oct 26
OAK at BAL Win
ARI at CAR Win
TB at DAL Win
WAS Win at DET
BUF Win at MIA
STL Win at NE
SD at NO Win (in London)
KC at NYJ Win
ATL at PHI Win
CLE at JAX Win
CIN at HOU Win
NYG at PIT Win
SEA at SF Win

Mon, Oct 27
IND at TEN Win

Byes: Bears, Broncos, Packers, Vikings

[Figrin D'an]

Sun, Oct 26
OAK at BAL (W)
ARI at CAR (W)
TB (W) at DAL
WAS (W) at DET
BUF (W) at MIA
STL at NE (W)
SD at NO (W)
KC at NYJ (W)
ATL at PHI (W)
CLE at JAX (W)
CIN at HOU (W)
NYG (W) at PIT
SEA at SF (W)

Mon, Oct 27
IND at TEN (W)

[Dragon]

Watching the Chargers-Saints game in Wembley. It's interesting to hear a primarily European crowd responding to a football game - instead of the constant roar, you primarily hear applause after every play.

Lots of close games so far. Only the Ravens have a two-score lead. The Rams just scored on a 69-yard pass to a rookie to take the 10-7 lead over the Patriots, and the Chiefs just tied it at 7 with the Jets with a nice throw and catch to Tony Gonzalez.

Wow, Darren Sproles got his pocket picked on a kick return. He was hit by one Saint, who popped the ball out into the arms of another - it practically looked like a pitchback on the screen.


On the issue of scoring... well, we've got ten of thirteen players. We're missing jjwr, Nathaniel K'cansce, and LD. I don't like the idea of marking them as not participating and giving them the worst record minus one. If they've already made their picks and just couldn't post them, I'd be fine with them posting retroactively, especially if they're participating in another pick 'em elsewhere. Or we could scrap the week's scores, or we could give them until the late games start to post those scores...

I dunno, what do other people think?

[Weeta]

Augh totally forgot to pick this week. >_<

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/notebook?page=sundaycountdown08 I was just going to pick the same as Jackson anyway. ^_^;

[Jedi Master Carr]

The Saints-Chargers game is very entertaining. I think the last team with the ball might win that one.

[Rutabaga]

My freaking cable has gone out. :verymad

[Dragon]

Brett Favre has helped the Chiefs out with three picks, and the last one went all the way for the go-ahead TD. Chiefs lead the Jets 24-21.

Chargers have been unable to stop the Saints offense all half, and they've been giving up all kinds of penalties (including a few questionable pass interference calls). San Diego just had a great drive, but they stalled in the red zone and will have to settle for a field goal to cut the lead to 14. And, wow, Chargers sneaked up on the Saints with an onside kick and recovery. That may have been just what they needed.

New England just scored a TD to go up 23-16 against the Rams; their defense has finally started to put pressure on Marc Bulger.

Six of the early games are still within one score. There are going to be a lot of interesting fourth quarters.

[Liam Jinn]

Dallas WINS!!!!! YES!!!!

[Dragon]

My friend upstairs was pounding the floor again today. :p

Well, I dropped two early today as Buffalo lost to Miami and Arizona lost to Carolina, but there's a chance that San Diego will pull it out in Wembley. Even if they don't, they've mounted a great comeback so far. They're down 37-30 and driving with 3:45 left in the 4th.

We're underway in Pittsburgh! Go Steelers!!!

Giants go 3-and-out, and the Steelers come back with a 4-play drive ending in a 32-YARD TD RUN BY MEWELDE MOORE!!! YEAH!!!

Phil Rivers threw a pick, and the Saints are going to run the clock down to about 15 seconds before they have to punt. But I'm far more interested in the Steelers game. :)

Ah, interesting, Saints snap the ball, and Brees runs back to his own endzone and tosses it out the back for an intentional safety. That gives the Chargers only 8 seconds to try to score. Of course, if they somehow miraculously get to the endzone, they win instead of tie.

Chargers have 1 second to try to score from the 50.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Game over in London. SD made a valiant effort to come back but they just had too many penalties in that game.

[Liam Jinn]

TD Steelers!

[Yog]

I am cool with whatever option for the remaining 2 people, as long as we don't push on them the worst score, that is kinda not cool.

[Dragon]

A frankly stupid pick by Ben, though the Giants should have three turnovers by now - fumbled on their way to their field goal, fumbled on the interception return, and Eli threw it straight to Polamalu in the endzone, but his momentum carried him just past the ball.

Now the refs ruled Brandon Jacobs' 3rd down run as a TD, but replay shows his elbow was down before the ball crossed the plane. This should be overturned.

It is overturned, the Giants go on fourth, and the Steelers hold them!

Says the announcer, "A stellar defensive play by Pittsburgh!"

Someone should tell him, "It's pronounced Stillers."

EDIT: Nate Washignton with two bad drops, the second of which he pitched into the hands of a defender. Not having Santonio Holmes is really hurting us on offense. :(

[Liam Jinn]

Did you see Roethlisbergers left thumb?? That was disturbing.

[Dragon]

EDIT: Nate Washignton with two bad drops, the second of which he pitched into the hands of a defender. Not having Santonio Holmes is really hurting us on offense. :(
THERE you go, Nate! Make me look like a fool! Please, continue to do so. :D

Incidentally, the Browns are leading the Jaguars in Jacksonville right now.

Eesh, I'll admit it, the Steelers got away with one there. Deshea Townsend broke up a long pass play on third down where it looked like he was beat... turned out he stayed with the play by tugging on the receiver's jersey from behind mid-route.

EDIT: But the refs are giving it back; they've missed several huge holding calls against the Giants, including one on a long pass that was barely broken up by Ryan Clark.

I'm amazed by how often the announcers have said in this game, "The Giants are lucky..." or "The Giants are fortunate..." There are so many breaks going their way, from missed calls to freak bounces of the ball to injuries on the Steelers. I just really hope we can drive down and score again and not get it called back on stupid penalties.

And the Giants benefit again from an injury to the Steelers' long snapper. The Giants offense hasn't made a play all game, and now they're tied. This is terrible. :(

[Ryan Pode]

I didn't see the whole game, but from what I did see of the Steeler's offense their play calling was crap and Roethlisberger held onto the ball way to long. And against a good giant's defensive line and defense, that's how you lose.

[Dragon]

Yes, their play calling was crap, and the Giants' D did play great. I was mainly mad that the Steelers wasted such an awesome performance by their own defense.

That and the injuries, which have been ridiculous this season. It's getting to the point that I'm wondering if there's something seriously wrong with the Steelers' training staff. The whole game left a bad taste in my mouth, even more than the Eagles game where it was clear the other team was just dominant.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Yeah the injuries have been brutal for them this year. They had a bad game plan and should have scored more points than that. Not sure what to do about the scores. What are some suggestions?

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Man but the Niners suck. What the hell is wrong with O'Sullivan? He has 90% of our turnovers and has lost the last five games for us. SIT HIM DOWN.

I mean, I'm sure he's a great guy and everything but they need to let someone else have a chance at the start at QB.

[Liam Jinn]

This week counts. We're missing 2 peoples picks, it's not the end of the world. If anything I'd give them a tie for lowest score instead of lowest -1.

[Yog]

I'd be leaning toward giving them an average score (an average of all the scores). That way, they'd neither benefit or get punished for the site problems.

Example: If the average of correct picks is 8.7, they would get 8-4 (after rounding down).

[Ryan Pode]

That and the injuries, which have been ridiculous this season. It's getting to the point that I'm wondering if there's something seriously wrong with the Steelers' training staff. The whole game left a bad taste in my mouth, even more than the Eagles game where it was clear the other team was just dominant.

Injuries are a matter of luck. Everyone gets them.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

..Stupid server deaths... :(

[Jedi Master Carr]

game over, the Titans just dominated that second half.

[Jedi Master Carr]

The Titans win and they look like the best team right now.

[Liam Jinn]

I'd be leaning toward giving them an average score (an average of all the scores). That way, they'd neither benefit or get punished for the site problems.

Example: If the average of correct picks is 8.7, they would get 8-4 (after rounding down).

That's not fair to the people that posted on time and end up with lower scores. I'm not going for that idea.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Its not their fault thought the board has been down for the most part the last two days. It was lucky I posted on Friday because I would have been in the same vote. I like Yog's idea really.

[Liam Jinn]

For 2 people? Really? Are we going to make it a rule that if your internet goes down for a weekend you get the Avg wins? That's not anyone's fault either. We might as well throw out the lowest score -1 rule then.

Just for an example, Week 5 we had 2 people that didn't get their picks in, why don't we just redo that week and give them the Avg wins?

I don't mean to come across as harsh, but it's 2 people.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I think it was more than 2. LD, jjwr and Nathaniel all missed it, and I think there is someone else. Its also because the main board link was down. I didn't even know this other link existed and I am a mod here. If I had waited it be 4. You want to come up with a better compromise be my guess. But it needs to be something better than lowest score.

[Liam Jinn]

LD posted what she was going to pick, a little late, but that's fine because she just was going to pick with what some sports guy was going to pick. She also said she 'forgot'.

We're talking about 2 people. I won't agree with giving them better scores than people that posted. The only thing I'm thinking of is tying for lowest.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I know, my picks were gonna be copies ^_^; sometimes I just pick what team I like best. :lol

[Park Kraken]

I'm divided down the line about what to do for the late two picks. In any case, I'm 8-6 for the week.

[Dragon]

Well, here's the deal. These are this week's results:

Aurelias Kazaar: 10-4
Figrin D'an: 10-4
Liam Jinn: 9-5
Lilaena De'ville: 9-5
Rutabaga: 9-5
Ryan Pode: 9-5
Park Kraken: 8-6
Miranda Tarkin: 8-6
Yog: 8-6
Jedi Master Carr: 7-7
Dragon: 6-8

Which brings the totals (minus jjwr and K'cansce) to:

Dragon 74-42 (68)

Aurelias Kazaar 72-44 (62)

Figrin D'an 71-45 (61)
Rutabaga 71-45 (62)
Yog 71-45 (63)

Jedi Master Carr 70-46 (63)
Liam Jinn 70-46 (61)
Miranda Tarkin 70-46 (62)

Lilaena De'Ville 68-48 (59)
Ryan Pode 68-48 (59)

Park Kraken 58-58 (50)

jjwr was 66-36, Nathanial K'cansce was 62-40. If we give them a tie for the lowest score (mine, incidentally, >_<) jjwr will tie for 2nd at 72-44 and K'cansce will still be close in the pack at 68-40.

If we give them the average, 8-6, jjwr will move up to tie for first and K'cansce will move up to the next group at 70-46.

In this round, there was a lot of equalizing. I tanked, and several people on the lower end did quite well. Giving jjwr and K'cansce a 6-8 will by no means take them out of the running, while giving them an 8-6 privileges them over Park and me.

I'd tend to say that Liam's solution makes the most sense since jjwr and K'cansce did have other potential avenues of communicating their picks to someone in the contest. But I don't want to unilaterally make the decision.

Either way, this doesn't have to be a big deal. There's a lot of picking left to do this season, and it's anybody's game.

[Yog]

^^ You make a persuasive argument, so let's go with that. :thumbup

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I say stick to the rules (what Liam said) and if you want to stick me with that as well I'm okay with it. :):thumbup

[Jedi Master Carr]

Since nobody really tanked this week than I think its okay to go 6-8 for them. If somebody had really stunk it up the average would have been better.

[Dragon]

Okay, so it's official:

Aurelias Kazaar: 10-4
Figrin D'an: 10-4
Liam Jinn: 9-5
Lilaena De'ville: 9-5
Rutabaga: 9-5
Ryan Pode: 9-5
Park Kraken: 8-6
Miranda Tarkin: 8-6
Yog: 8-6
Jedi Master Carr: 7-7
Dragon: 6-8
jjwr: 6-8
Nathanial K'cansce: 6-8


1. Dragon 74-42 (68)

2. Aurelias Kazaar 72-44 (62)
2. jjwr: 72-44 (66)

4. Figrin D'an 71-45 (61)
4. Rutabaga 71-45 (62)
4. Yog 71-45 (63)

7. Jedi Master Carr 70-46 (63)
7. Liam Jinn 70-46 (61)
7. Miranda Tarkin 70-46 (62)

10. Lilaena De'Ville 68-48 (59)
10. Nathanial K'cansce: 68-48 (62)
10. Ryan Pode 68-48 (59)

13. Park Kraken 58-58 (50)

[Nathanial K'cansce]

A fair and just decision. I shall come back in the coming weeks! >D

[jjwr]

Strange....I didn't realize the site was having problems. I know I posted my picks at some point but I do recall the site acting very wierd when I was in the process of doing so. Maybe I didn't confirm they were actually posted?

I have no problem sticking with the rules as we agreed on, its my fault I didn't check to confirm they were actually posted.

For the record I was 10-4 this week but I'll settle for 2nd place, it'll just give you guys a better chance the last 9 weeks :)