Week 13: Bob and Roger Strike Back

This week:

1. Bob (11-5 + 2.5 bonus) - 13.5 points
1. Roger (11-5 + 2.5 bonus) - 13.5 points
3. Jarrett R. (10-6 + 1 bonus) - 11 points
4. Jonathan (10-6 + 0.5 bonus) - 10.5 points
5. Joel (9-7 + 0.5 bonus) - 9.5 points
6. Patrick (9-7) - 9 points
6. Jarrett M. (9-7) - 9 points
8. Jeremy (8-8) - 8 points
9. Nathan (7-9) - 7 points

C-3PO: Sir, the possibility of successfully navigating an asteroid is approximately 3,720 to 1.
Han Salo: Never tell me the odds.
--Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

The good news: Bob and Roger were week 13's winners, going 11-5. The bad news: they still both sit near the bottom of the pool standings, and it will be nearly impossible for either of them to win the championship. But don't tell them the odds.

For the fourth straight week, Jarrett M. sits atop the total standings. But as Darth Vader might say, "The momentum is with you, young McLeod, but you are not a champion yet." In week 13, Jarrett M. saw his lead reduced by 1.5 points by his older brother Jonathan, setting the stage for an epic duel in week 14.

Week 13 notes: (1) Joel's successful loner pick of the Redskins allowed him to jump ahead of his younger brother Jeremy. Joel and Jeremy were the only two who changed positions in the total standings this week. Correction: Roger also moved up one spot into a tie for sixth. (2) Jarrett. R. recovered nicely after forgetting to submit his picks in week 12. He had 3 loner picks, 2 of which were successful (Colts and Seahawks). Should we expect more risky picks from Jarrett R. in the weeks to come? (3) Patrick, Joel, and Jeremy are all tied with 121 wins. (4) Tom Brady became the first starting quarterback in NFL history to win 10 division titles, surpassing Joe Montana's 9.

So far:

1. Jarrett M. (125-66 + 12.33 bonus) - 137.33 points (no change)
2. Jonathan (124-67 + 10.53 bonus) - 134.53 points (no change)
3. Patrick (121-70 + 10.58 bonus) - 131.58 points (no change)
4. Joel (121-70 + 9.87 bonus) - 130.87 points (+1)
5. Jeremy (121-70 + 8.45 bonus) - 129.45 (-1)
6. Jarrett R. (114-77 + 10.58 bonus) - 124.58 points (no change)
6. Roger (117-74 + 7.58 bonus) - 124.58 points (+1)
8. Bob (110-81 + 8.03 bonus) - 118.03 points (no change)
9. Nathan (100-91 + 5.53 bonus) - 105.53 points (no change)

Week 10: Jolly Roger

This week:

1. Roger (10-3 + 3 bonus) - 13 points

2. Jarrett R. (9-4 + 1.5 bonus) - 10.5 points

2. Jarrett M. (9-4 + 1.5 bonus) - 10.5 points

4. Jonathan (9-4 + 1 bonus) - 10 points

5. Jeremy (8-5) - 8 points

6. Joel (7-6) - 7 points

7. Bob (6-7) - 6 points

7. Patrick (6-7) - 6 points

9. Nathan (5-8) - 5 points

"Did you roger that?"--some guy on a walkie-talkie

Roger is jolly after finishing first in week 10. His 10-3 record allowed him to leapfrog Nathan in the overall standings, and now his sites are set on Joel.

Speaking of the overall standings, Jarrett M. has taken first place from Patrick. Now can "The Moody One" stay in the lead? Unlike last season (when the now retired John built a huge early lead), no one has been able retain the top spot for more than one or two weeks. 

Week 10 notes: (1) Only 4.3 points separate first place from fifth place. (2) There were two successful loner picks in week 10: Jarrett R.'s pick of the Bengals and Jarrett M.'s pick of the Saints. (3) Once again, Eli Manning had a bad game. Is he really an elite NFL quarterpack? Phil Simms doesn't think so. (4) Is it almost Tebow time? Apparently several Jets players hope not. (5) A few guys in this pool like to bash the Patriots. New England's three losses have given them great joy. Belichick and Brady's current team isn't as good as past editions, right? Bill Parcells disagrees.

A collection of QBs from yesteryear all wearing Zubaz. Can you name them all?

So far:

1. Jarrett M. (93-52 + 9.58 bonus) - 102.58 points (+2)

2. Patrick (92-53 + 10.33 bonus) - 102.33 points (-1)

3. Jeremy (93-52 + 8.45 bonus) - 101.45 points (-1)

4. Jarrett R. (90-54 + 10.5 bonus) - 99.08 points (no change)

5. Jonathan (91-54 + 7.28 bonus) - 98.28 points (no change)

6. Joel (88-57 + 5.37 bonus) - 93.37 points (no change)

7. Roger (85-60 + 4.83 bonus) - 89.83 points (+1)

8. Nathan (84-61 + 5.53 bonus) - 89.53 points (-1)

9. Bob (78-67 + 3.53 bonus) - 81.53 points (no change)

Week 3: What About Bob?

This week:

1. Bob (8-8 + 3 bonus) - 11 points
2. Jeremy (7-9 + 1.5 bonus) - 8.5 points
2. Roger (7-9 + 1.5 bonus) - 8.5 points
4. Patrick (6-10 + 1 bonus) - 7 points
5. Jarrett R. (6-10) - 6 points
5. Nathan (6-10) - 6 points
7. Jonathan (5-11) - 5 points
7. Jarrett M. (5-11) - 5 points
9. Joel (4-12) - 4 points

"You think he's gone? He's not gone. That's the whole point! He's never gone!"--Dr. Leo Marvin, What About Bob?

After week 1, Bob had a big problem. He forgot to submit his picks for week 1's Sunday games. (Full disclosure: Bob was awarded points for the five unanimous correct picks in week 1. This has been standard practice in the pool when picks have been forgotten.)

But Bob wasn't thinking about the seemingly impossible task of going from last to first. What was he thinking about? Baby steps.

Baby steps? Yes, baby steps. Bob's not thinking about one giant leap. He's thinking about taking one small step at a time until he reaches the top.

The wily veteran was the only pool member not under .500 in week 3. This week Bob took a few steps, passing Nathan, Jarrett M., and Roger. Next week he plans to take one or two more steps. Watch out, Patrick and Joel.

Baby steps.

Week 3 notes: (1) Through the first three weeks, the 2012 season has been, in recent memory, the toughest season for picks. (2) Somehow Patrick had two (TWO!) successful loner picks and still didn't finish in the top three. (3) Jarrett M. sent a text to Jonathan on Saturday evening proclaiming his confidence in a possible 15-0 week. Sadly for him, that confidence was unfounded.

So far:

1. Jeremy (27-21 + 5 bonus) - 32 points
2. Jarrett R. (27-21 + 4.5 bonus) - 31.5 points
3. Jonathan (25-23 + 2.5 bonus) - 27.5 points
4. Joel (23-25 + 1.83 bonus) - 24.83 points
5. Patrick (23-25 + 1.33 bonus) - 24.33 points
6. Bob (21-27 + 3 bonus) - 24 points
7. Roger (22-26 + 1.83 bonus) - 23.83 bonus
8. Jarrett M. (22-26 + 1 bonus) - 23 points
9. Nathan (21-27 + 0 bonus) - 21 points

Week 1 - Beginner's Luck?

This week:

1. Jarrett R. (12-4 + 3 bonus) - 15 points
2. Jonathan (12-4 + 2.5 bonus) - 14.5 points
3. Joel (10-6 + 0.33 bonus) - 10.33 points
3. Patrick (10-6 + 0.33 bonus) - 10.33 points
3. Roger (10-6 + 0.33 bonus) - 10.33 points
6. Jarrett M. (9-7 + 0.5 bonus) - 9.5 points
7. Jeremy (9-7) - 9 points
8. Nathan (8-8) - 8 points
9. Bob (0-1) - 0 points

For the second straight year, Jonathan invited a Jarrett to join the Football Pool. Last year's Jarrett finished last. The new Jarrett is off to a quick start, taking top spot in week 1. Is this a case of beginner's luck, or will Jarrett R. be a Football Pool powerhouse? Time will tell.

Week 1 notes: (1) There were two successful loner picks, both by Jarretts: Jarrett R. picked the Cowboys to beat the Giants, and Jarrett M. picked the 49ers to beat the Packers. (2) There were two unsuccessful loner picks: Patrick picked the Chiefs to beat the Falcons, and Jeremy picked the Browns to beat the Eagles. (3) Bob may have forgotten to send in his picks. If so, Joel might give him credit for all the games we were unanimous on, which would give him a 5-9 record.

Week 12 - John Sails to Victory Once Again

Week 12 Results

This week's winners:

  

John - 14-2 (+3)
Bob - 13-3 (+1)
Joel - 13-3 (+1)
Roger - 13-3 (+1)
Jarrett - 12-4
Jeremy - 11-5
Jonathan - 10-6
Patrick - 10-6

See what I did there? John...sailing...he's in the navy. Pretty clever, huh?

Following a couple of poor weeks earlier in November, John had been complaining that his navy duties were affecting his picks. But now after a strong week by Commander Couch and a poor week by Patrick, John is once again comfortably in first. It was thought that Patrick might pose a challenge to John, but, as Dennis Green might say, it seems he is who we thought he was.

A few notes: (1) Bob is now only 3.33 points behind Patrick. (2) Joel has surpassed Jeremy for Kuehner family bragging rights. (3) Roger is now tied with Jeremy in sixth place. (4) When interviewed, Jarrett thought he had missed only one week of picks instead of two.

The McLeod brothers might not be doing too well in the pool, but at least their Patriots are having another fine season. (Hey, wasn't there someone in this pool who kept saying the Jets were going to win the AFC East?) Unfortunately, the other favorite teams of the pool participants aren't doing so well (Jaguars, Bills, Browns, Eagles). And what's going on with Joel's Lions? After a Suh-weet start, their season is turning sour.

Here's a question for you: would you rather have your favorite team with the Super Bowl or you win the pool?

If John puts as much thought into his weekly picks as he did to construct the above apparatus, it's no wonder he's doing so well this season!

--Jonathan

Mr. Complacency no more. John pounds the mouse and thumps the keys to take solo first place in week 12. John's picks were the same as mine, except he picked BAL over SF. His picks were the same as Bob's, except he picked NYJ over BUF. John was right on both accounts.

In case no one noticed, Bob is now in second place in terms of Right-Wrong picks, with 118 to Pat's 117.  Roger also pulled off another strong week. Jarrett had a pretty good week as well, but will it be too little too late?

Best pick of the week: Broncos over Chargers. Kudos to the Tebow believers.

Worst pick of the week: Colts over Panthers. I said before that any Indy pick automatically gets worst pick of the week.

Critical game of the week: Niners at Ravens.

--Joel

Current Standings

Week 10 - Another Insanely Good Week for Patrick

Week 10 Results

This week's winners:

  

Patrick - 10-6 (+3)
Jonathan - 9-5 (+1.5)
Roger - 9-5 (+1.5)
Bob - 8-8
Joel - 8-8
John - 7-9
Jeremy - 6-10
Jarrett - 1-15 (didn't submit picks)

If you've ever watched sports with Patrick, you know he likes to yell at the TV. We assume he knows that the players can't hear him, but that never seems to stop him. If the Jaguars are driving to take the lead at the end of the game, Patrick will often yell, "DON'T SCORE TOO SOON!" And now as Patrick is so close to regaining the lead from John, all of his fans (Tara & Gillian?) are yelling, "DON'T SCORE TOO SOON?" Will Patrick ignore his own advice? Or will he peak too soon?

While we're thinking of questions concerning Patrick, other questions come to mind. Questions like, if Patrick takes the lead, will he start to become complacent (like John?) and not push the keyboard as hard when submitting his picks? Will the seemingly illogical reasoning behind Joel's weekly awards cause Patrick to suffer a nervous breakdown? (Right now, Joel's assessment of the Colts over the Jaguars as the worst pick of the week is probably driving Patrick crazy. I do think, though, that if you don't trust your favorite team to beat the Colts, you have absolutely no faith in them. Where is the loyalty?) Does Patrick have enough money to pay Bert's former advisers (whom Patrick claimed to have hired at the end of last season)? Yelling at the TV, hiring imaginary advisers--maybe he's already gone crazy!

The most satisfying pick of the week was Jonathan's pick of New England. (Roger also picked the Patriots, but he's not a New England fan.) By now it should be clear that you should be very careful about picking against the Patriots when everyone doubts them. The Patriots win allowed Jonathan and Roger to share second place this week.

With the excitement of Patrick's pursuit of John, perhaps no one has noticed that Jeremy has been tumbling down the standings. In week 7, he was less that one point out of second place. He now sits in fifth. The reclusive Jeremy was unavailable for comment.

"Lastly, I would like to say that my decisions as a coach affect not only our football team and our fans, but also the Football Pool. My decision to go for it on fourth down in overtime allowed Patrick to steal first place this week from Jonathan and for that I am deeply sorry."--Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith

--Jonathan

I'm really getting sick of NFL football. It's so tiring making the best picks week in and week out, and not getting the points for it!

There are lots of candidates for all of these, but here's what I'm dishing out this week. I'm sure these could be debated ad nauseum.

Best pick of the week: Giants over Niners. Just kidding. Titans over Panthers.

Worst pick of the week: Colts over Jaguars. And Patrick still won the week.

Critical game of the week: Patriots at Jets.

It's good to see the Bills back. And the Lions. Nice to see the Eagles living up to expectations. Nice for Atlanta to show no faith in their defence, even though they'd just 3-and-outed the Saints the previous possession. How about those Rams? Convincing win #2. Tim Tebow. 2 for 8, 60-some yards, and a 17-10 win.

--Joel

Current Standings

Week 9 - Impossible Is Nothing

Week 9 Results

This week's winners:

  

  

Patrick - 8-6 (+1.5)
Jonathan - 8-6 (+1.5)
Jarrett - 8-6 (+1)
Bob - 8-6 (+1)
Joel - 8-6 (+1)
Roger - 8-6 (+1)
Jeremy - 7-7
John - 7-7

Joel says John can't be caught, but Patrick has been gaining ground the last two weeks. He's now only 6.67 points behind. Has John grown complacent (according to Joel, another impossibility--see last week's comments)? Probably not. But, suddenly, the race for first has became a whole lot more interesting.

Speaking of Joel, our mighty commissioner finally tasted the sweet nectar of victory (albeit it was a six-way tie, and technically Patrick and Jonathan led the weak due to their loner picks--but we won't mention that). To Joel's great satisfaction, his correct pick of Arizona was critical to his first place finish. Had St. Louis won, it would have been only Patrick and Jonathan in first (most critical game of the week?).

Both Patrick and Jonathan made last-minute changes to their picks, each deciding to go with a New York team. Patrick picked the Giants, and Jonathan picked the Jets. Both picks turned out to be successful loner picks, enabling them to gain the most points in week 9.

The only change of position this week was Bob surpassing Jeremy for third. In the past two weeks, Bob has gained 6.5 more points than Jeremy. Now only 0.42 points separate Bob, Jeremy, and Jonathan. Would any of them be content with the bronze medal? Does Joel send out punctual recap emails? In other words, NO! (Sorry, Joel.)

Roger, Joel, and Jarrett are all battling to avoid the basement. Jarrett's strategy seems to have shifted. He's now flinging less hail Marys and throwing more solid short-range passes. Perhaps his goal is no longer to capture the glory of first, but to escape the shame of last.

One reason for hope for those who are trying to catch John: take a look at his points for/against differential. It's fourth best in the pool. This means that a lot of the close games have been going John's way. Perhaps the second half of the season won't be so kind to him.

"In our opinion, Joel Kuehner resembles an old Barry Sanders. Our scouts have their eyes on him. And there's a very real possibility that if Jackson can't go this Sunday, you could see Joel in a Bills uniform. However, the league has advised us that a conflict of interest might exist due to Joel's position as an NFL football pool commissioner."--Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey

Joel is so fast, he makes other guys seem like they're standing still!

--Jonathan

Current Standings

Week 5 - Somebody Stop John!

Week 5 Results

This week's winners:

  

He could...go...all...the...way!

At one point during the early games it looked like I might gain a few points on John. Then everything fell apart. Well, at least I got the San Francisco pick right.

Question: Why are the late games so much easier to pick?

--Jonathan

Well, I think I did it! I think I pretty much picked all of the teams that would be trailing after three quarters! At least my Lions are providing me some joy this season.

Best pick of the week: Raiders over Texans.

Worst pick of the week: Bucs over Niners (and John still won the week).

Critical game of the week: Cardinals at Vikings.

--Joel

Current Standings