NFL Pick 'Em Super Bow/Final Results

Three of us picked the Super Bowl correctly. To be honest, though, I know at least two of us only did it because it could improve our standings. I really thought the Colts would win, but went with the Saints so I didn't end up in a tie with Rodney. And it worked!

It worked for Dan Erickson too. Since he picked the Saints, he finished in a tie for first place with Craig Helfrich. Here's the final standings:

1. Dan Erickson, 184-83















(tie) Craig Helfrich, 184-83















3. Tim Emmons, 180-87
4. Dan Weiss, 175-92
5. Rodney Jernas, 174-93
6. Geoff Cocanower, 165-102
(tie) Kevin Edwards, 165-102
8. Derry Prenkert, 162-105
(tie) Jeff Simpson, 162-105
10. Preston Edwards, 161-106
11. Jason Thompson, 153-114

The whole group finished 1865-1072, which equals 63.5% correct. Not bad!

Thanks everybody for playing and following along!

NFL Pick 'Em Super Bowl

Finally, the Super Bowl is here!

Craig can't lose, but Dan can still tie.

NFL Pick 'Em Playoffs Week 3 Results

With a perfect weekend, Craig Helfrich sealed at least a share of the title. Dan Erickson is one game back and has only one option to be able to move into a tie for first with Craig - he'll have to pick the Saints because Craig is the biggest Colts fan I know. Dan can finish no worse than second, so there's nothing for him to lose if he picks New Orleans.

Tim Emmons has sealed the third-place finish. Rodney Jernas and I are tied for fourth and he's another big Colts fan so I'll have to pick the Saints. Look for the final picks late in the week!

NFL Pick 'Em Playoffs Week 3

It's a clean sweep for the Colts among the contestants. You know what that means?


There's an UPSET coming!


Well, maybe not, but it would serve us all right.

NFL Pick 'Em Playoffs Week 3 Results

NFL Pick 'Em: Playoffs Week 2

We've only got seven games left and there's still a race at the top. Craig Helfrich has a one-game lead over Dan Erickson. Beyond that, Tim Emmons has a solid hold on third place and then Rodney Jernas and I are tied for fourth.

Here's my thoughts on this weekend's games:

New Orleans over Arizona: Part of this has to do with my feelings that the Cardinals should not have beaten my Packers last week. More than that, though, I think the Saints are primed for a run in these playoffs. I can see this being a blowout, but even if it's close I think the Saints win.

Indianapolis over Baltimore: This was the hardest game for me to pick this weekend. The reason is because Baltimore is a team that seems like it can beat anybody if they get just a couple bounces to go their way. But, Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning and he's going to do everything in his power to keep the ball away from Baltimore. So, in the end, I think the Colts win a close one.

Minnesota over Dallas: Sidney Rice (not Brett Favre) is too good to lose this one. I really think Rice (interesting last name) has moved into the top 2 or 3 receivers in the NFL and I don't think the Cowboys have anybody to stop him. Add to that the running attack of Adrian Peterson (most powerful, scary runner in the NFL) and all the other weapons (Harvin, Shiancoe, Taylor) that Minnesota has and I think Dallas struggles to keep up.

San Diego over NY Jets: After so many good seasons this might be the year for the Chargers. Philip Rivers could be the second or third best quarterback in the league and he seems to play best in big games. Now, the Jets do have the best cornerback in the league, but he can only cover one guy at a time and the Chargers have a few guys who can catch passes and make big plays.

NFL Pick 'Em Playoffs Week 2 Results

Only one contestant correctly picked all four games during the opening weekend of the 2010 NFL Playoffs. Tim Emmons went 4-0, but is still five games behind leader Craig Helfrich. Craig went 1-3 and Dan Erickson went 2-2 to close Craig's lead to one game.

On the other end of the spectrum, Derry Prenkert was the only contestant to go 0-4.

On a personal note, watching the Packers-Cardinals game was excruciating, then thrilling, then agonizing, then exciting ... in the end, though, it was just sad. Oh well. The Packers had a great season (except for that loss to the Buccaneers and getting swept by the Vikings) and there should be nothing but good things on the horizon.

NFL Pick 'Em Playoffs Week 1

Here we go! The NFL Playoffs start tomorrow and we've got a tight race at the top of the leaderboard. Dan Erickson is only two games back heading into this weekend, but both he and Craig Helfrich have been really strong. They picked only one game differently, and it's one that has special significance to me - Packers vs. Cardinals.

I feel pretty good about the Packers' chances this weekend. The Cards are prone to turnovers and the Packers have forced more turnovers than any other team in the NFL this year. The Green Bay offense is clicking pretty well - especially with the added weapon of tight end Jermichael Finley. I like the matchup, the only problem is that so does everybody else. When just about everybody picks a team to pull off an upset, it doesn't usually happen. Oh well, maybe this time will be different! Go Packers!

NFL Pick 'Em Week 17 Results

Well, Craig held off Dan for another week and finished the regular season with a two-game lead. Here's the standings at the end of the regular season:

1. Craig Helfrich 178-78

2. Dan Erickson 176-80

3. Tim Emmons 170-86

4. Rodney Jernas 166-90

tie Dan Weiss 166-90

6. Kevin Edwards 160-96

7. Geoff Cocanower 157-99

tie Derry Prenkert 157-99

tie Jeff Simpson 157-99

10. Preson Edwards 152-104

11. Jason Thompson 146-110

There are 11 games left to pick, which means only five people are left with a chance to win. However, it would take a small miracle for anybody but Craig or Dan to actually win the whole thing. Good luck guys!

NFL Pick 'Em Week 16 Results

Craig made some good calls this week (i.e. Chicago over Minnesota) and regained a two-game advantage. One more week left in the regular season and then we pick the playoffs!

NFL Pick 'Em Week 15 Results

Dan Erickson keeps inching closer to Craig. He's only one game back now!

NFL Pick 'Em Week 14 Results

It looks like the playoffs are going to be significant, after all! Only two games separate Craig and Dan Erickson now. I'm in a distant third.

NFL Pick 'Em Week 13 results

Things are getting interesting at the top of the leaderboard. A strong 13-3 week by Dan Erickson, combined with a 9-7 showing from Craig Helfrich led to a 3-game lead for Craig with three weeks left in the regular season followed by the playoffs.

Here's how Week 13 went down and a look at everyone's records:

NFL Pick 'Em Week 13

Uh Oh! A couple guys failed to send me their picks. I guess if they send them to me by the end of the day Friday they will still count, except for the Jets-Bills game, of course!

Anyway, here's how I see Week 13:

NY Jets over Bills: I can't see any reason to get excited about the Bills' win last week. Plus, the Jets were tough earlier in the year. I think they win this one.

Philadelphia over Atlanta: My first instinct was to go the other way on this one, but then I remembered I need to start taking some chances. This one isn't a big reach, but it turns out some of the leaders picked Atlanta, so at least it gives me a chance to gain some ground.

Chicago over St. Louis: The Bears are not good, but they're still good enough to beat the Rams right? Right?

Cincinnati over Detroit: The Bengals should run wild in this one.

Pittsburgh over Oakland: Who knows with the Steelers anymore? I mean, I still give them the benefit of the doubt, but I'm starting to wonder.

Tennessee over Indianapolis: This is a popular upset pick, but apparently nobody else in this challenge is looking for an upset pick because I'm the only one who picked the Titans. I think they've got a shot. Not a very good one, but a shot. Like I said, I need to take some chances.

Denver over Kansas City: KC is just not good. I don't think Denver's as good as they looked earlier in the season either.

New England over Miami: The Patriots have a history of stinking it up against the Dolphins, so I might pay for this one.

New Orleans over Washington: The Redskins have a good defense, but the Saints have a REALLY good offense!

Carolina over Tampa Bay: I learned my lesson. Never pick the Panthers ... except against a really bad team like the Bucs.

Houston over Jacksonville: The Texans are still on the verge of being a really good team ... but they've been there for a long time.

San Diego over Cleveland: Ummm, do I need to explain myself here?

Dallas over NY Giants: I don't know. I figured most people would pick the G-men, so I went the other way.

San Francisco over Seattle: The Niners are also on the verge. I like the Alex Smith-Vernon Davis-Frank Gore-Michael Crabtree combination. Seems like a good core of talent to build around. (Yes, I used the word talent in reference to Alex Smith)

Arizona over Minnesota: Again, another chance here. I really hope Kurt Warner plays, because I don't think the Cardinals have a chance without him. But if he plays, this could be a really fun game to watch.

Green Bay over Baltimore: This is me going with my heart to make a risky pick. The group is just about split on this one, so it may or may not work out for me. Either way, I hope the Packers win.

NFL Pick 'Em Week 12 Results

Standings after 12 weeks:

1. Craig Helfrich 127-49
2. Dan Erickson 120-56
3. Tim Emmons 119-57
4. Dan Weiss 118-58
5. Rodney Jernas 115-61
6. Kevin Edwards 114-62
7. Geoff Cocanower 113-63
8. Derry Prenkert 110-66
9. Jason Thompson 109-67
10. Preston Edwards 108-68
(tie) Jeff Simpson 108-68

NFL Pick 'Em Week 11 results

Craig continues to lead, but the gap is getting smaller. At 113-47, Craig is six games ahead of Tim Emmons and seven ahead of Dan Erickson and me. Rodney Jernas and Kevin Edwards are tied for fifth place at 103-57. Derry Prenkert is alone in seventh and Geoff Cocanower is by himself in eighth. Jeff Simpson, Jason Thompson and Preston Edwards are holding the last three places, respectively.

NFL Pick 'Em Week 11

Every week I can't believe it's this late in the season already. Week 11 holds some very interesting matchups and playoff spots are starting to be won and lost. Here's my picks:

Miami at Carolina - No Ronnie Brown means the Dolphins can't run the Wildcat the way they have been all season. Carolina is looking better each week.

Washington at Dallas - After losing to my Packers last week, I think the Cowboys rebound at home.

Cleveland at Detroit - This is another one of those "who cares?" games. Seriously, is anybody going to watch this one? Games like this are tough to pick, though.

San Francisco at Green Bay - After last week I was tempted to pick the 49ers this week, actually hoping for another Green Bay win. But as a fan, I can't do it. I thought the offense was going to be the Packers' strength this season, but it's starting to look more and more like they're going to have to rely on the defense to win tough games. After abusing an experienced Tony Romo last week, they should be able to mess with Alex Smith a little bit this week too.

Pittsburgh at Kansas City - No way the Steelers lose this one. I just can't see a scenario that leads to a Chiefs' win.

Atlanta at NY Giants - This was a really tough pick for me. Both teams need this one badly - the Giants (5-4) can still win their division while the Falcons (5-4) need every win they can get to try to get a Wild Card spot.

New Orleans at Tampa Bay - The Saints have a legitimate shot to go undefeated in the regular season. This week's a Brees (sorry, I had to do it) and a Week 12 game at home against New England may be the last really tough challenge. They also have to take care of business Washington, Atlanta, Dallas, Tampa Bay and Carolina the rest of the way.

Buffalo at Jacksonville - Things are really bad in Buffalo. Not quite as bad as Cleveland, but really bad.

Indianapolis at Baltimore - Normally I would pick Baltimore in this one, but I'm not picking against the Colts the rest of the way. I think they're THAT GOOD.

Seattle at Minnesota - As easy as it is to dislike Brett Favre, it's hard to deny how great things are working out in Minnesota. They're fun to watch, too.

Arizona at St. Louis - The Cardinals are looking like Super Bowl contenders once again. Of course, that's contingent on getting breaks at the right time and a healthy Anquan Boldin. As much abuse as their running game has taken, I actually think it's shaping up nicely. Wells and Hightower aren't a bad combination.

NY Jets at New England - The Jets seem to be in a slump while the Patriots look like things are really clicking, especially on offense. Look for Bill Belichcik to show why everyone considered him a genius before last week's debacle.

Cincinnati at Oakland - OK, I'm convinced. The Bengals are for real. Sweeping the Ravens and the Steelers earns respect. Oakland hasn't done anything to earn anybody's respect.

San Diego at Denver - This is more of a vote against the Broncos than for the Chargers. I just think Denver's weaknesses are being exposed and now that Kyle Orton is injured, they're even weaker.

Philadelphia at Chicago - Man, what happened to the Bears?

Tennessee at Houston - This one is slightly out on a limb. Trailing by 8 games at this point in the season calls for taking some chances. This isn't a big reach, but I'm the only one who picked the Titans. As long as Chris Johnson is healthy, I feel comfortable taking chances on the Titans!

NFL Pick 'Em Week 9 results

Well, we had a bit of a problem last week. As you can see above, there's three guys with yellow letters below their names. Those three did not turn in their picks last week. In order to keep them in the game, they were given a record one game worse than the worse record of those who turned in their picks. So Geoff, Preston and Jason each received a record of 5-8 for Week 9.

Of course, Craig is still in the lead at 92-37. Tim Emmons has taken over second place at 87-42 while I am tied with Dan Erickson for third at 85-44. Derry has made a nice comeback to move into fifth all by himself at 84-45.

As a group, our overall record is 907-512, which is a .639 correct pick percentage. I think we can do better!

NFL PIck 'Em Week 8 Results

NFL Pick 'Em Week 8

I don't have much time to elaborate on these picks because it's almost 5 and I need to get out of here! As you can see, Jason Thompson's picks didn't make it in for this week. He's on vacation so I'll forgive him.

As for me:
Houston over Buffalo - I really like the Texans. I keep saying that, but it's all I got for picking this game this way!
Chicago over Cleveland - Cleveland is really bad. Just trade one of your quarterbacks already!!!!!!!
Dallas over Seattle - Wouldn't be surprised if I'm wrong here.
Detroit over St. Louis - Two really bad teams. Detroit's at home.
Baltimore over Denver - Somebody's got to beat them eventually and it might as well be the Ravens with the game played in Baltimore.
Indy over San Francisco - I like the Niners but the Colts are just too good.
Miami over NY Jets - This is mainly because I like the Wildcat offense so much.
NY Giants over Philly - Can't see the Giants losing three in a row.
Jacksonville over Tennessee - Will Tennessee be better or worse with Vince Young?
San Diego over Oakland - LaDainian Tomlinson crushes Oakland and just because he's 30 doesn't mean that changes.
Arizona over Carolina - I like the Cardinals more and more every time I watch them.
Green Bay over Minnesota - Obviously the game of the week for me. I don't feel great about my Packers so far and this game is no different. But I do feel that if the Green Bay offensive line can buy Aaron Rodgers a little time the Packers have a good chance. At the very least they've got to give up fewer sacks this time around.
New Orleans over Atlanta - Saints are really good.