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 9: Patrick Star

This week:

1. Patrick (13-1 + 3 bonus) - 14 points
2. Jarrett R. (11-3 + 0.75 bonus) - 11.75 points
2. Jonathan (11-3 + 0.75 bonus) - 11.75 points
2. Jarrett M. (11-3 + 0.75 bonus) - 11.75 points
2. Jeremy (11-3 + 0.75 bonus) - 11.75 points
6. Joel (10-4) - 10 points
7. Nathan (9-5) - 9 points
7. Roger (9-5) - 9 points
9. Bob (6-8) - 6 points

"Have I ever not been right?"--Patrick Star

Patrick was the star of week 9, going 13-1 and jumping back into first place. The key victory for the "Sales Wizard" was the Steelers' win over the Giants. (Jarrett R. and Nathan also picked the game correctly.)

Now can Patrick stay in first? So far this season, no one has been able to separate himself from the pack. With a good week 10, either Jeremy or Jarrett M. could take the top spot from Patrick. And if Jarrett R., Jonathan, or Joel put together two solid weeks of picks, it's conceivable one of them could end up in first. Nathan could get there with a run of three outstanding weeks. Roger and Bob? Baby steps.

Week 9 notes: (1) Eli Manning needs to make up his mind about whether he's elite or not. On Sunday he threw for only 125 yards (10 for 24 with 1 interception). (2) Peyton Manning has 2,404 passing yards for the 5-3 Broncos. Andrew Luck has 2,404 passing yards for the 5-3 Colts.  (3) Luck's 433 passing yards on Sunday were the most ever by a rookie QB. (4) Luck is leading the NFL in average pass distance (10.2 yards). Still ready to crown RG3 the offensive ROY?

So far:

1. Patrick (86-46 + 10.33 bonus) - 96.33 points (+1)
2. Jeremy (85-47 + 8.45 bonus) - 93.45 points (-1)
3. Jarrett M. (84-48 + 8.08 bonus) - 92.08 points (-1)
4. Jarrett R. (81-51 + 7.58 bonus) - 88.58 points (no change)
5. Jonathan (82-50 + 6.28 bonus) - 88.28 points (no change)
6. Joel (81-51 + 5.37 bonus) - 86.37 points (no change)
7. Nathan (79-53 + 5.53 bonus) - 84.53 points (no change)
8. Roger (75-57 + 1.83 bonus) - 76.83 points (+1)
9. Bob (72-60 + 3.53 bonus) - 75.53 points (-1)

Week 8: Nathan Is the Man

This week:

1. Nathan (11-3 + 3 bonus) - 14 points

2. Joel (10-4 + 1 bonus) - 11 points

2. Patrick (10-4 + 1 bonus) - 11 points

2. Jarrett (10-4 + 1 bonus) - 11 points

5. Bob (9-5) - 9 points

5. Jeremy (9-5) - 9 points

5. Roger (9-5) - 9 points

8. Jarrett R. (8-6) - 8 points

8. Jonathan (8-6) - 8 points

"Nathan said to David, 'You are the man!'"--2 Samuel 12:7

If King David were a member of this football pool, he might said to Nathan, "You are the man!" Nathan ("He-Man"/"Don't Call Me Pee Wee") Herrmann certainly was the man in week 8, going 11-3 and closing the gap between himself and the leaders. What makes his first place finish even more impressive is that he forgot to submit a pick for the Thursday night game.

Week 8 notes: (1) after 8 weeks, Patrick and Jarrett M. have the exact same records. (2) Positions 4 through 7 are only separated by 1.3 points. (3) After this post was almost completed, it was noticed that there is an error in week 8's spreadsheet. Everyone should have been credited with one more win. Actually, as Patrick points out in the comments section below, the win total in the spreadsheet is correct. The mistake was that San Diego was erroneously highlighted as a winner.

So far:

1. Jeremy (74-44 + 7.7 bonus) - 81.7 points

2. Patrick (73-45 + 7.33 bonus) - 80.33 points

2. Jarrett M. (73-45 + 7.33 bonus) - 80.33 points

4. Jarrett R. (70-48 + 6.83 bonus) - 76.83 points

5. Jonathan (71-47 + 5.53 bonus) - 76.53 points

6. Joel (71-47 + 5.37 bonus) - 76.37 points

7. Nathan (70-48 = 5.53 bonus) - 75.53 points

8. Bob (66-51 + 3.53 bonus) - 69.53 points

9. Roger (66-51 + 1.83 bonus) - 67.83 points

The Rams and Patriots played each other in London on Sunday. It's a great time to revisit Super Bowl XXXVI. (This is probably John Madden's worse moment as an NFL commentator.)

Week 7: Almost Perfect

This week:

1. Jonathan (12-1 + 2.5 bonus) - 14.5 points

1. Jeremy (12-1 + 2.5 bonus) - 14.5 points

3. Jarrett R. (11-2 + 0.33 bonus) - 11.33 points

3. Bob (11-2 + 0.33 bonus) - 11.33 points

3. Nathan (11-2 + 0.33 bonus) - 11.33 points

6. Joel (10-3) - 10 points

6. Patrick (10-3) - 10 points

6. Jarrett M. (10-3) - 10 points

6. Roger (10-3) - 10 points

"I'm not perfect."--Brett Favre

Jonathan and Jeremy came close to perfection in week 7, both posting a 12-1 record (with identical picks). After their big weeks, Jeremy is back in first, and Jonathan is now within striking distance.

First place for week 7 wasn't determined until after the Bears' victory over the Lions on Monday night. Jonathan and Jeremy won't mention to Joel that this was definitely the most fun game of the week. (Jarrett R. would have finished first with a Detroit win.)

Each week in Joel's weekly recaps, he give us his (sometimes logic-defying) best pick of the week, worst pick of the week, and most critical game of the week. Here's how were doing so far according to Joel. (Joel has not yet sent out his week 7 recap, so this covers only the first 6 weeks.)

Best pick of the week: Patrick (4), Jarrett R. (2), Jarrett M. (2), Jeremy (1), and everyone else has zero. Worst pick of the week: Nathan (4), Jarrett M. (3), Jarrett R. (2), Bob (2), Joel (2), Jeremy (2), Jonathan (1), Patrick (1), and Roger (1). Most critical game of the week: Jarrett R. (5), Patrick (3), Jarrett M. (3), Jeremy (3), Bob (2), Jonathan (2), Roger (2), Joel (1), and Nathan (1).

Week 7 notes: (1) only 0.8 points separate Patrick, Jarrett M., Jarrett R. and Jonathan. (2) I've got nothing else, sorry.

So far:

1. Jeremy (65-39 + 7.7 bonus) - 72.7 points

2. Patrick (63-41 + 6.33 bonus) - 69.33 points

2. Jarrett M. (63-41 + 6.33 bonus) - 69.33 points

4. Jarrett R. (62-42 + 6.83 bonus) - 68.83 points

5. Jonathan (63-41 + 5.53 bonus) - 68.53 points

6. Joel (61-43 + 4.37 bonus) - 65.37 points

7. Nathan (59-45 + 2.53 bonus) - 61.53 points

8. Bob (57-47 + 3.53 bonus) - 60.53 points

9. Roger (57-47 + 1.83 bonus) - 58.83 points

Week 6: A Tie at the Top

This week:

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

"If at the end of the season there is a first place tie between two or more participants, the aforementioned participants shall compete in a head-to-head football trivia contest. The questions of this quiz shall concern the most recent NFL season."--Jonathan McLeod, The (Imaginary) Football Pool Rulebook

After six weeks, there is a tie at the top of the Football Pool. Patrick and Jarrett M. both have the same number of wins and bonus points: 53 and 6.33 respectively. And there is also a three-way tie for total wins: Patrick, Jarrett M., and Jeremy all have 53 wins. (In honor of the tie at the top of the pool, see the video below: "Top 10 NFL Overtime Games.")

Commissioner Joel's goal of having greater parity in the pool appears to be succeeding. Take heart, those of you who are at the lower end of the pool standings. All it takes is one good week to get right back into the thick of things.

Week 6 notes: (1) Four out of five of the consensus picks were wrong (Steelers, Eagles, Patriots, and 49ers). This is one more piece of evidence that this season's games have been very difficult to predict. (2) Jarrett R. is leading in total bonus points (6.2). (3) Jeremy has the most points-for (2326).

So far:

1. Patrick (53-38 + 6.33 bonus) - 59.33 points
1. Jarrett M. (53-38 + 6.33 bonus) - 59.33 points
3. Jeremy (53-38 + 5.2 bonus) - 58.2 points
4. Jarrett R. (51-40 + 6.5 bonus) - 57.5 points
5. Joel (51-40 + 4.37 bonus) - 55.37 points
6. Jonathan (51-40 + 3.03 bonus) - 54.03 points
7. Nathan (48-43 + 2.2 bonus) - 50.2 points
8. Bob (46-45 + 3.2 bonus) - 49.2 points
9. Roger (47-44 + 1.83 bonus) - 48.83 bonus

Week 5: Insurance

This week:

1. Patrick (12-2 + 3 bonus) - 15 points

2. Nathan (11-3 + 2 bonus) - 13 points

3. Jonathan (10-4 + 0.33 bonus) - 10.33 points

3. Joel (10-4 + 0.33 bonus) - 10.33 points

3. Jarrett M. (10-4 + 0.33 bonus) - 10.33 points

6. Jeremy (9-5) - 9 points

6. Roger (9-5) - 9 points

8. Bob (8-6) - 8 points

9. Jarrett R. (7-7) - 7 points

"It's Patrick! He took out life insurance! Good for you, son!"--Norwich Union commercial, circa 1990

Congratulations to Patrick on another great weak. His two highlights in week 5 were his picks of the Rams and Dolphins. The Mighty Morand started the season slowly, but now he's in first.

Whenever I hear the name "Patrick," I think of an old Norwich Union life insurance commercial (see video below). Back when I was in high school, this commercial seemed to be shown constantly during broadcasts of CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. I was always amazed at how Patrick was able to tell his father in a fraction of a second that he had taken out life insurance.

Just like in life, it never hurts to have insurance in the Football Pool. A few extra wins in week 5 provide insurance for Patrick in case when he has a terrible week later in the season (like Joel's recent 12-loss week).

Gain all the points you can now because you don't know what will happen later on.

Week 5 notes: (1) All of this week's loner picks were unsuccessful: Chiefs (Jarrett R.), Redskins (Jarrett R.), Eagles (Bob), Titans (Nathan), and Jets (Jeremy). (2) In the "real" standings, Patrick and Jeremy are in first with 47 wins. Jonathan and Jarrett M. are next with 46 wins. (3) Jonathan has the best points differential so far, but, once again, luck has not been on his side. (4) Last night's Texans vs. Jets game was the 666th Monday Night Football game in NFL history. At the end of the game, Mark Sanchez's 2012 quarterback rating was 66.6. He's also thrown 6 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and his longest completion of the year is 66 yards. By the way, Sanchez wears number 6.

So far:

1. Patrick (47-30 + 6.33 bonus) - 53.33 points
2. Jeremy (47-30 + 5.2 bonus) - 52.2 points
3. Jarrett M. (46-31 + 4.33 bonus) - 50.33 points
4. Jonathan (46-31 + 3.03 bonus) - 49.03 points
5. Jarrett R. (44-33 + 4.5 bonus) - 48.5 points
6. Joel (44-33 + 2.37 bonus) - 46.37 points
7. Nathan (43-34 + 2.2 bonus) - 45.2 points
8. Bob (40-37 + 3.2 bonus) - 43.2 points
9. Roger (41-36 + 1.83 bonus) - 42.83 bonus

Week 4: Miracles Do Happen

This week:

1. Jarrett M. (14-1 + 3 bonus) - 17 points
2. Patrick (12-3 + 2 bonus) - 14 points
3. Bob (11-4 + 0.2 bonus) - 11.2 points
3. Jonathan (11-4 + 0.2 bonus) - 11.2 points
3. Joel (11-4 + 0.2 bonus) - 11.2 points
3. Nathan (11-4 + 0.2 bonus) - 11.2 points
3. Jeremy (11-4 + 0.2 bonus) - 11.2 points
8. Jarrett R. (10-5) - 10 points
8. Roger (10-5) - 10 points

"Do you believe in miracles? YES!"--Al Michaels

Jarrett M., last season's last place finisher, finished week 4 with an improbable 14-1 record, vaulting him from eighth to third in the pool standings. All that stood between Jarrett M. and a perfect week was a last-second field goal by the Redskins.

The Human 10-Second Delay's near-perfect week overshadowed an outstanding performance by Patrick. Unfortunately, his gutsy foolish pick of Buffalo and his loyal foolish pick of Jacksonville prevented him from tying Jarrett M.

Week 4 notes: (1) If Patrick had not surpassed Joel in the standings, all of the "J" names would have occupied the top five spots. (2) There was only one loner pick in week 4: Jarrett R.'s incorrect pick of the Jets to beat the 49ers. (3) If you ever want rain on a particular fall weekend, ask Joel and Jeremy to plan their Fundy trip that weekend.

So far:

1. Jeremy (38-25 + 5.2 bonus) - 43.2 points
2. Jarrett R. (37-26 + 4.5 bonus) - 41.5 points
3. Jarrett M. (36-27 + 4 bonus) - 40 points
4. Jonathan (36-27 + 2.7 bonus) - 38.7 points
5. Patrick (35-28 + 3.33 bonus) - 38.33 points
6. Joel (34-29 + 2.03 bonus) - 36.03 points
7. Bob (32-31 + 3.2 bonus) - 35.2 points
8. Roger (32-31 + 1.83 bonus) - 33.83 points
9. Nathan (32-31 + 0.2 bonus) - 32.2 points