January 10, 2014

NFL Playoff Pick 'Em, Division Round-a-Go-Go Edition: Pick the winners of Saints at Seahawks, Colts at Patriots, 49ers at Panthers and Chargers at Broncos along with three other categories. The contest winner for the entire playoffs wins a Chimay Ale gift set (if over 21) or a $30 Amazon gift card (if under).

posted by rcade to football at 04:03 PM - 51 comments

The complete rules are in last week's post.

This week, pick the following:

1. Winner of Saints at Seahawks (and spread)

2. Winner of Colts at Patriots (and spread)

3. Winner of 49ers at Panthers (and spread)

4. Winner of Chargers at Broncos (and spread)

5. Player with the most receiving yards this weekend

6. Player with the most receiving touchdowns this weekend

7. One defensive player who will intercept a pass or recover a fumble

Entries must be posted here by 4:35 p.m. Eastern Saturday.

posted by rcade at 04:04 PM on January 10, 2014

Here are the standings after week two.

PlayerWeek 1Week 2Total
dyams5611
grum@work7411
cixelsyd3710
LionIndex459
cl448
ic23b448
kokaku448
wduchene358
holden437
rcade347
tommytrump437
hincandenza246
Mr Frisby336
NoMich246
owlhouse246
86235
jjzucal145
tahoemoj235
Ufez Jones235
bender134
rumple134
Ninja_Van3--3
mcotter962--2
Ying Yang Mafia1--1
camtom3080--0

posted by rcade at 04:05 PM on January 10, 2014

Seahawks by 12 +1
Colts by 3
49ers by 6 +1
Broncos by 17 +1
Eric Decker (DEN)
Julius Thomas (DEN)
Richard Sherman (SEA)

posted by bender at 04:14 PM on January 10, 2014

1. Seahawks by 11 +2
2. Patriots by 6 +1
3. Panthers by 1
4. Broncos by 17 +1
5. Demaryius Thomas (DEN)
6. Demaryius Thomas (DEN)
7. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (DEN)

posted by grum@work at 04:18 PM on January 10, 2014

1. Seahawks by 6 +1
2. Patriots by 10 +1
3. 49ers by 3 +1
4. Broncos by 9 +2
5. Decker (Den)
6. Davis (SF)
7. Weddle (SD)

posted by LionIndex at 04:22 PM on January 10, 2014

1. Seahawks by 9 +2

2. Patriots by 12 +1

3. 69ers by 5 +1

4. Chargers by 4

5. Crabtree (SF)

6. Crabtree (SF)

7. Loooooooo Kuechly (Car)

posted by NoMich at 04:24 PM on January 10, 2014

Seattle by 19 +1

Indianapolis by 6

San Francisco by 6 +1

Denver by 18 +1

Decker

Decker

Sherman

posted by tommybiden at 04:39 PM on January 10, 2014

1. Seahawks by 9 +2

2. Colts by 2

3. 49ers by 6 +1

4. Broncos by 13 +1

5. Demaryius Thomas (Den)

6. Jimmy Graham (NO)

7. Richard Sherman (Sea)

posted by rcade at 04:57 PM on January 10, 2014

Seattle by 7 +2

NE by 17 +2

49ers by 10 +2

Denver by 3 +1

D Thomas (Den)

Decker (Den)

Eric Reid (SF)

posted by cixelsyd at 05:01 PM on January 10, 2014

Seahawks by 10 +2

Colts by 4

49ers by 8 +1

Chargers by 1

D. Thomas (Den)

V. Davis (SF)

A. Smith (SF)

posted by tahoemoj at 05:13 PM on January 10, 2014

1. Seahawks by 4 +1

2. Colts by 4

3. 49ers by 10 +2

4. Broncos by 17 +1

5. Eric Decker

6. Julius Thomas

7. Logan Ryan

posted by cl at 05:20 PM on January 10, 2014

1. Toucans by 8

2. Neutrinos by 0.04 eV

3. Pressure-treated Two by 4

4. No score; Chargers will take a surprise second playoff bye week.

5. Eric Dolphy

6. All scoring will be by field goals, interceptions, and safeties.

7. Richard Sherman will intercept a Drew Brees pass and attempt a lateral to Earl Thomas, which will in turn be picked off by Brees, who will run for a touchdown.

posted by Hugh Janus at 05:59 PM on January 10, 2014

1. Seattle by 15 +1

2. Patriots by 5 +1

3. Panthers by 3

4. Broncos by 18 +1

5. Golden Tate

6. Golden Tate (because I wish my name was "Golden")

7. Earl Thomas

Hey I have 1 point, I am pretty sure these selections will guarantee me that Costanza

posted by rumple at 06:56 PM on January 10, 2014

Seahawks by 10 (max. decibel level 127 dB) +2

Pats by 12 +1

Panthers by 6

Broncos by 19 +1

Rec. Yds: Decker

Rec. TD: Decker

D. Int/Fum: Sherman

posted by jjzucal at 07:40 PM on January 10, 2014

Seahawks by 15 +1

Pats by 11 +1

Niners by 7 +1

Broncos by 21 +1

Rec and TD: Thomas from Denver

Etc: Sherman seems popular for some reason

posted by owlhouse at 08:05 PM on January 10, 2014

Seahawks by 3 +1

Patriots by 6 +1

49ers by 3 +1

Broncos by 4 +1

Receiving yards T.Y.Hilton

Receiving TD's Julian Edelman

Defensive player to get a turnover Richard Sherman

posted by ic23b at 08:52 PM on January 10, 2014

I'm pretty sure Hugh Janus locked up the Costanza with those... unique predictions. :) I expect the Neutrinos to tear through any team they face this post-season.

1. Seahawks over Saints, 10 +2
2. Patriots over Colts, 10 +1
3. Panthers over 49ers, 7
4. Broncos over Chargers, 14 +1
5. Demaryius Thomas, recv YDs
6. Demaryius Thomas, recv TDs
7. Richard Sherman, int/fumble recovery

posted by hincandenza at 09:19 PM on January 10, 2014

Hugh J. dropped Dolphy's name into the mix, so I say give him the gift set right here and now.

posted by beaverboard at 10:31 PM on January 10, 2014

Saints by 3 +1
Patriots by 7 +1
Panthers by 3
Broncos by 13 +1
Wes Welker
Shane Vereen
Eric Reid

posted by holden at 11:20 PM on January 10, 2014

1. Seahawks 7 +2
2. Patriots 3 +1
3. Panthers 1
4. Broncos 6 +2
5. Edelman NE
6. S. Sproles, NO
7. Weddle, SD

posted by wduchene at 11:49 PM on January 10, 2014

1. Seahawks by 6 +1

2. Patriots by 2 +1

3. Panthers by 4

4. Broncos by 19 +1

5. Demaryius Thomas (rec YDs)

5. Julius Thomas (rec TDs)

7. Earl Thomas

posted by 86 at 06:28 AM on January 11, 2014

Seahawks by 7 +2

Patriots by 3 +1

49ers by 2 +1

Broncos by 8 +2

Edelman, NE (rec. yards)

Decker, Den. (Rec. TDs)

Sherman, Sea. (Int. or Fum. Rec.)

posted by dyams at 07:58 AM on January 11, 2014

1. Seahawks by 10 +2

2. Colts by 3

3. Panthers by 1

4. Broncos by 17 +1

5. Demaryius Thomas (DEN)

6. Eric Decker (DEN)

7. Danny Trevathan (DEN)

posted by MrFrisby at 09:24 AM on January 11, 2014

1. SEA by 6 +1
2. IND by 7
3. SF by 3 +1
4. DEN by 11 +1
5. T.Y. Hilton (IND)
6. Julius Thomas (DEN)
7. Logan Ryan (NE)

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:13 AM on January 11, 2014

I wonder if anyone will beat Grum's 7 from last week. Totes a-mah-zing.

posted by rcade at 11:37 AM on January 11, 2014

Seahawks by 17 +1
Pats by 4 +1
Panthers by 3
Broncos by 14 +1
Demaryius Thomas (Den)
Demaryius Thomas (Den)
Richard Sherman (Sea)

posted by kokaku at 11:52 AM on January 11, 2014

It is pouring down in Seattle right now in absolute buckets- as hard as I've ever seen it rain in my life. Gonna revise my spread to Seattle by 10.

Gonna be an interesting game...

posted by hincandenza at 02:58 PM on January 11, 2014

Interestingly enough, rain to be a factor also in the Pats/Colts game. Heavy rain in Foxborough forecast throughout the evening.

posted by jeremias at 03:38 PM on January 11, 2014

The rain has let up here, but I figure leaving seattle and new england each at 10 over is better than gambling on the blowout for both.

posted by hincandenza at 03:46 PM on January 11, 2014

rcade: I wonder if anyone will beat Grum's 7 from last week. Totes a-mah-zing.
I can't get the point on the fumble/int call (Sherman didn't pull it off this afternoon) but I already got 2 from just the first game, so 7 is very much in reach here for me.


In fact, looking over this Seahawks game was pretty lopsided in our picks; 20 of 21 people picked Seattle (except poor holden and of course, Hugh Janus), of which 12 had their spread in the 6-10 range.

posted by hincandenza at 07:54 PM on January 11, 2014

grum@work: I'm not sure if my 11 point spread gets me the extra point.
I don't think so; the difference was 8, and it's .30 each way rounded down- so 2.4 points, rounded down, is a range of 6-10 to get the extra point.

posted by hincandenza at 08:27 PM on January 11, 2014

I don't think so; the difference was 8, and it's .30 each way rounded down- so 2.4 points, rounded down, is a range of 6-10 to get the extra point.

For some reason I thought it was the spread you picked rather than the actual one, but it's much easier to score based on the actual spread than having to calculate everybody's individual spread range. Also, I get two points based on the actual spread and only one based on mine, so I would approve of this method. I missed a couple spreads last weekend by a point.

posted by LionIndex at 08:39 PM on January 11, 2014

I don't think so; the difference was 8, and it's .30 each way rounded down- so 2.4 points, rounded down, is a range of 6-10 to get the extra point.

The way I worded the example in the rules, it's your spread that's plugged in to the formula. So 11 would get +2, because 11 * .3 is 3.3, giving a winning range for +2 from 8 to 14 and the Seahawks won by 8.

posted by rcade at 08:45 PM on January 11, 2014

D'oh.

posted by LionIndex at 08:55 PM on January 11, 2014

I don't think you'll be shipping the prize to Vientiane, anyways.

posted by owlhouse at 09:13 PM on January 11, 2014

So 6 points picked *.3 = 7.8 gets rounded all the way down? Even if it's closer to 8 than someone that picked 11?

I'm not mad, but man, my middle school math teachers sure would be.

posted by Ufez Jones at 09:17 PM on January 11, 2014

Ufez, I had a pick last week for 3, when the final ended up being 2.

3 x .3 = .9, which would have made my pick 2.1, but .9 gets rounded down to 0, so to get a low point spread you have to nail it. Almost better to just pick 4, and then you're covered for 3-5, while picking 3 will only get you 3.

Wish I'd realized that before making picks this week.

posted by LionIndex at 09:26 PM on January 11, 2014

Ah. Okay. Thanks, LionIndex. I'll adjust for the over next weekend.

Mathematical

Anti

Telharsic

Harfatum

Septomin

posted by Ufez Jones at 09:36 PM on January 11, 2014

Wait, it's gotta be based on the actual margin, not each persons pick, right? From your rules last week:

You get one point for picking the winner, one extra point for picking the spread within 30% of the spread (rounded down), and another extra point for picking the exact spread.
I mean, it's your pick 'em but I hope you'll reconsider, as it seems more fair to go by +/-30% of the winning margin, as it doesn't penalize people who pick low.

posted by hincandenza at 10:16 PM on January 11, 2014

I don't see how I could reconsider. The example is part of the rules and uses the player's spread to determine the "within 30%" point. The rule itself isn't worded in a way that would make the example incorrect.

I borrowed this rule from a previous year and misunderstood it, I think. But it's too late to change it.

(The rule definitely encourages people to go larger on spreads. If you predict a 1-, 2- or 3-point win there's no chance to get +2.)

posted by rcade at 10:38 PM on January 11, 2014

I'm not sweating it, rcade. It's just been a while since I've had any Chimay. (and the Econ-degree holder in me cringes a bit, but it is what it is).

Just remind me to never gamble at your casino

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:11 PM on January 11, 2014

Yeah, I think in the future, it's easier for whoever's scoring the thing if it's based on the actual spread, because then you know the range of correct answers and can just go down the list and tick them off without having to do any more calculations.

posted by LionIndex at 11:15 PM on January 11, 2014

Cheat sheet for next week, with all the numbers where increasing your spread doesn't move your bottom end up but increases the differentials that will score you a point:

If you think the spread will be: 3; pick 4 (picking 3 only scores exactly, picking 4 also gets you 4 and 5)

If you think the spread will be: 6; pick 7 (5-7 range vs. 5-9 range)

If you think the spread will be: 9; pick 10 (7-11 vs. 7-13)
If you think the spread will be: 13; pick 14 (10-16 vs. 10-18)
16-->17, etc. After that probably not too useful.

posted by LionIndex at 12:10 AM on January 12, 2014

Rec and TD: Thomas from Denver

Owlhouse: I can't tell if this is Julius or Demaryius. If I don't hear from you before the game starts, I'm going to assume it's Demaryius.

posted by rcade at 10:36 AM on January 12, 2014

The marks to beat for receiving are Marques Colston's 144 yards and LaVon Brazill's two touchdowns. If more than one player ends up with two touchdowns, they each would earn the point.

posted by rcade at 10:38 AM on January 12, 2014

I hope cixelsyd went to Vegas this weekend. Jesus.

posted by LionIndex at 04:20 PM on January 12, 2014

The standings atop this post have been updated.

Week 2 results:

1. Seahawks over Saints by 8

2. Patriots over Colts by 21

3. 49ers over Panthers by 13

4. Broncos over Chargers by 7

5. Most receiving yards: Marques Colston (NO), 144 (no winners)

6. Most receiving touchdowns: LaVon Brazill (Ind), 2, and Keenan Allen (SD), 2 (no winners)

7. One defensive player who will intercept a pass or recover a fumble: Fumbles recovered by Michael Bennett (Sea) and Richard Marshall (SD). Interceptions by Dont'a Hightower (NE), Jamie Collins (NE), Alfonzo Dennard (NE), Patrick Willis (SF), Donte Whitner (SF) and Donald Butler (SD) (no winners)

posted by rcade at 08:44 PM on January 12, 2014

I'm so excited, this weekend was the first time in my life that all my predictions were right on the money!

posted by Hugh Janus at 08:54 PM on January 12, 2014

I can't believe that no one got any points on the stat questions!

posted by bender at 09:53 AM on January 13, 2014

We paid a price for moving as a herd.

posted by rcade at 10:44 AM on January 13, 2014

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