2019 Dark Tower Football Pick Contest - Come Reap!!!

[NeedfulKings]

The season begins THURSDAY, September 5, 2019. NO late registration!!!!

How to Play

1. It’s simple. Click on the following link and it should take you to the ESPN pigskin pickem site. If you don’t have an ESPN profile, you will have to set one up. Trust me, it’s worth it!!!! If you joined in on the other ESPN contests earlier this year, that profile will work. In fact, as a bonus to joining us in the Pigskin picks, you’ll be able to easily compete in other contests such as March Madness and College Bowl Mania.

http://fantasy.espn.com/nfl-pigskin-pickem/2019/en/

Password: roland (all lower case) - please do not share this with non-members of this site.

If you have questions about how to set things up in our group, post your questions and the community of folks here will try and help you out.

2. The contest will begin with the first regular season game in Week 1. Only one entry per person in our group and it must be identifiable to me as a member on this board or you can PM me with your ESPN handle. Once the season has started the group is locked. This means that any latecomers will not be able to join (sorry about that!), so please get in early. Picks for week 1 can actually be made now!

3. The contest will end at the conclusion of the regular season.

4. At the end of the regular season, whoever has the best Win/Loss record wins the coveted First Place trophy. We also award trophies for Second, Third, and a (much sought after, one of a kind, not available in any other contest) Last Place Trophy**

**In order to qualify for last place, you need to pick every week, however, If you mistakenly miss picking one or two games (i.e. a Thursday or Saturday game), we can do the math and, with penalties, make adjustments. To be safe, just be sure to get IN THE GAME each week and make your picks early!!!!

Last year's trophies:
http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/996/medium/IMG_4436.jpg

[BedOfRoses]

Woo hoo! I can't wait!!! :nana:

[Randall Flagg]

I'm in it to win it!

[divemaster]

I've won a college bowl trophy, but never one of the NFL ones. Could this be my year?

[NeedfulKings]

I've won a college bowl trophy, but never one of the NFL ones. Could this be my year?

YES!


I'm in it to win it!

NO!!!

Just kidding. But, I will be here to stop you, should you try for last place! :)

[Garrell]

I am ready to be mediocre :excited:

[Jon]

I don't mind playing this year but I ain't playing with this new damned helmet!!

[Rjeso]

It's been a while since I competed for a trophy with zero success, but I'm down for trying again!

[NeedfulKings]

I don't mind playing this year but I ain't playing with this new damned helmet!!

Jon,

Are you in? What's your espn name?

[Jon]

I am known as Benjamin Breeg. My week one picks are in but I may make a few changes.

How is my helmet appeal going with the 2019 Dark Tower Football Pick Contest Rules Committee? I may make a second appeal if my feet ever heal up.

[Garrell]

“Jon who?”

[NeedfulKings]

I am known as Benjamin Breeg. My week one picks are in but I may make a few changes.

How is my helmet appeal going with the 2019 Dark Tower Football Pick Contest Rules Committee? I may make a second appeal if my feet ever heal up.

DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEnied! :D

[NeedfulKings]

We have a tidy 17 players so far. Just a few days before THURSDAY's game!!!! Get your picks made. If you are on the fence, join before the Thursday deadline. Did I say trophies?

[Jon]

Anyone else want to retire before I make my picks??

[NeedfulKings]

First game is tonight!!!!!! Good luck everyone!

[Randall Flagg]

We need more participants. That way my bragging rights reach a larger audience.

[Jon]

Startin' with a big L.

Watch out Jerome!! I'm comin'!

[Rjeso]

Let's goooooooooo

I can't wait to lose horribly :D

[NeedfulKings]

Yes, I can't wait for a full dose of anxiety and frustration!!! :)

[Rjeso]

Minnesota is starting strong! SKOL

[Rjeso]

WHAT

WHAT is this Texas/New Orleans game omggg

[NeedfulKings]

WHAT

WHAT is this Texas/New Orleans game omggg

Loved it!

[Rjeso]

I don't even care about either of those teams, but I had goosebumps during that entire final minute. What a wild ride, man.

[NeedfulKings]

I don't even care about either of those teams, but I had goosebumps during that entire final minute. What a wild ride, man.

:thumbsup:

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to BedOfRoses for having the best picks on week 1 (13 wins!).

[Lurker]

Well, I flipped over to see the score a few minutes ago and a coach was arguing with the zebra. My question is can they toss a coach, like in baseball?
Anyway, if you can't get 1/2 yard that close, you deserve to lose.

[Jon]

My question is can they toss a coach, like in baseball?


Yes they can. But it doesn't happen NEARLY as often. There's not as much dirt to kick on the Ref.LOL

Usually, the huge players on his team will restrain the coach before he gets into too much trouble.

[Lurker]

Thanks. Learn something new everyday.

[Jon]

Thanks. Learn something new everyday.

Well stick around for my lecture on particle physics and it's role in string theory!!

[Lurker]

Hmm. I think I'll have to go with that other adage - Never learn today what you can put off til tomorrow...:)

[Rjeso]

Oooooh, I am gunning hard for that last place trophy!

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to SpaceMaN for having the best picks on week 2 (13 wins!).

[RUBE]

Apparently I'm going to try to go winless on Thursday games this season. Actually I'm kind of pissed at myself because I had the Jaguars and let the "experts" talk me into the Titans right before the game.

[Jon]

Yeah Rube. But I'm not so sure they saw that kid coming. The Jags' Quarterback.The man threw some seriously accurate passes. I forget his name...Gardener M..something the second.

I went with my gut and got lucky. I go with my gut often...which explains my humongous wins and unquestionable dominance in this contest every year!

[RUBE]

I normally go with my gut which gets me third every third year or so and middle of the pack the rest of the time. The rookie QB helped but the Jags D also put a hurting on Mariota. The way their D held Houston to so few points is why I initially was going to pick them.

[divemaster]

Y'all must be really good pickers. I'm in 17th place. I'm using my exact same picks in another group (on Yahoo, but I'm just porting over the same picks). For that group, I'm in 3rd place!!

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to SpaceMaN, gersto, and east-tennessee for having the best picks in week 3 (12 wins!).

[Jon]

The "Hawks looked Soooo good against the Saints eh?

As I am out of market...way out, I rarely get to see them. Not the best game to see my team.

[RUBE]

So I screwed up and forgot to put in picks until mid-day. I probably have no chance to catch up to place at the top but does this also make me ineligible to "win" last place?

[NeedfulKings]

So I screwed up and forgot to put in picks until mid-day. I probably have no chance to catch up to place at the top but does this also make me ineligible to "win" last place?

Per the rules listed on the first post:


**In order to qualify for last place, you need to pick every week, however, If you mistakenly miss picking one or two games (i.e. a Thursday or Saturday game), we can do the math and, with penalties, make adjustments. To be safe, just be sure to get IN THE GAME each week and make your picks early!!!!

The "one or two games" is an example - you are still able to go either direction, but, you would take an 8-point hit to qualify for last place. So you would have to have the lowest score +8. Does that make sense?

[RUBE]

Funny thing is, I think I had a chance to make up some ground this week. I am within 4 of this week's best score and 2 of the season leader and I picked 8 less games. Oh well.

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to rjeso for having the best picks on week 4 (9 wins!).

[Jon]

[QUOTE]**In order to qualify for last place, you need to pick every week, however, If you mistakenly miss picking one or two games (i.e. a Thursday or Saturday game), we can do the math and, with penalties, make adjustments. To be safe, just be sure to get IN THE GAME each week and make your picks early!!!!

Are you going to throw out a cool, yellow flag for these penalties or do I have to throw out my red flag to have N.Y. review the picks?

[NeedfulKings]

[QUOTE]**In order to qualify for last place, you need to pick every week, however, If you mistakenly miss picking one or two games (i.e. a Thursday or Saturday game), we can do the math and, with penalties, make adjustments. To be safe, just be sure to get IN THE GAME each week and make your picks early!!!!

Are you going to throw out a cool, yellow flag for these penalties or do I have to throw out my red flag to have N.Y. review the picks?

We don't need no stinking flags! ;)

[Rjeso]

I can't believe I actually won a week. :o

[NeedfulKings]

Lots of 10-game winners for week 5! Congratulations to BedofRoses, SkippyDO23, east-tennessee, Spencer, Randall Flagg, and gsvec for having the best picks.

[Merlin1958]

Breaking news.............................................. .



The Yankee's win!!!!!

The Yankee's win!!!!!!

Yankee's sweep Twins in ALDS!!!!

Bring onthe Astro's

[Jon]

Breaking news.............................................. .



The Yankee's win!!!!!

The Yankee's win!!!!!!

Yankee's sweep Twins in ALDS!!!!

Bring onthe Astro's

New York has a football team?????

[Jon]

[QUOTE]**In order to qualify for last place, you need to pick every week, however, If you mistakenly miss picking one or two games (i.e. a Thursday or Saturday game), we can do the math and, with penalties, make adjustments. To be safe, just be sure to get IN THE GAME each week and make your picks early!!!!

Are you going to throw out a cool, yellow flag for these penalties or do I have to throw out my red flag to have N.Y. review the picks?

We don't need no stinking flags! ;)


The sheriff is near!!

[NeedfulKings]

Early game from overseas tomorrow. A couple of key folks missed the Thursday pick - get in the game!!!!

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Lurker for having the best picks on week 6 (13 wins!).

[Jon]

Yes. 13 is hard to do but 14 is so elusive!

[Lurker]

Well, I'll be. Darn those Cowboys!

[NeedfulKings]

Yes. 13 is hard to do but 14 is so elusive!

The most elusive is the 16-0 record. Achieved only once in the dozen or more years of this contest. We have a special trophy should anyone dare do it again!

[Jon]

Yes. 13 is hard to do but 14 is so elusive!

The most elusive is the 16-0 record. Achieved only once in the dozen or more years of this contest. We have a special trophy should anyone dare do it again!

With 32 teams in the NFL, and two with a week off each week only leaves 30 playing each week...thus only 15 games. This makes 16-0 pretty damn hard in the current era.

...or am I missing something?

[divemaster]

There are no byes the first few weeks, and probably the last few (too lazy to look it up), but certainly there are weeks where all teams play.

[RUBE]

Yes, the first few and last few weeks do not have byes. This year byes are week 4 through 12.

It would not be fair for one team to get a bye right before their first-round playoff matchup if the other team did not. This is also why there is not a Thursday game the last week of the season.

[Jon]

There are no byes the first few weeks, and probably the last few (too lazy to look it up), but certainly there are weeks where all teams play.

Thank you. I THOUGHT I had noticed that;
for the first half of the season I am a bit distracted by the Nascar "playoffs."

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Spencer, doh, and Garrell for having the best picks for week 7 (11 wins!).

[Jon]

I'd be happy for a week in double digits!

[NeedfulKings]

I'd be happy for a week in double digits!

Amen!!!!!

[Jon]

I just don't know what to do with the Seahawks and the Eagles. It's almost as if they send their practice squad out every other game!

[NeedfulKings]

Week 8 saw a small handful of "lucky" 13 game winners. Congrats to Me, Lurker, BedofRoses, SkippyDO23, and RUBE!

[Jon]

NK AND BoR with 13!

Must be something in the water.

[NeedfulKings]

NK AND BoR with 13!

Must be something in the water.

:biggrin::cool::biggrin:

[Jon]

Ah...good PACNW weed?

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Oxcy8 and divemaster for having the best picks for week 9 (11 wins!).

[Jon]

It was a brutal week.

[Lurker]

Time for a new lucky quarter!

[Jon]

Quarter?

I've been using a lucky schilling all season. Maybe that's what I have been doing wrong.

[divemaster]

Congratulations to Oxcy8 and divemaster for having the best picks for week 9 (11 wins!).

Thanks! I still can't believe I'm in last place here. In another contest, with 15 players, I'm in first place. In fact, I'm so far ahead that if I completely skipped the next two weeks I'd STILL be in first place! I'm running away with the damn thing! The only difference is that contest you are picking using the spread, not straight up.

[Lurker]

I guess I'm glad this one is straight up - I have no clue what using the spread is. And shillings? Maybe for European games...they sure play in London a lot.
But I have learned two things by doing this Pigskin: the negative number after a team's name is NOT how much they are expected to lose by and 19 weeks is a very looong time.

[NeedfulKings]

Every week is brutal for me, lol. I've never considered using the spread - like some of you, it's just too confusing. I like the aspect of winning or losing! :)

Good luck this weekend. We'll be cruising the Pacific so will be without internet for the next 10 days.

Cheers!

[Jon]

Have fun!!!

[NeedfulKings]

Have fun!!!

Thanks! We're back!!!

Congratulations to Oxcy8 and gsvec for having the best picks for week 10 (8 wins!). It was a hard week to pick!

[NeedfulKings]

Well, we have a handful of winners for week 11 (12 wins)!!! In no particular order - SpaceMaN, rjeso, NeedfulKings, SkippyDO23, Spencer, Randall Flagg, and doh. Congrats!!!

[Jon]

Well you two are doing pretty well as of late, Bill!

[NeedfulKings]

Well you two are doing pretty well as of late, Bill!

Yes, but man, there can be bad weeks at any time!

[Jon]

Yes! 9-2!...but still can't lead the division!

[divemaster]

It looks like some people are trying to lose???

[NeedfulKings]

It looks like some people are trying to lose???

Been there, done that! :)

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to SpaceMaN, gersto, and Garrell for having week 12's best picks (11 wins)!!!!

[Jon]

So something isn't clear to me, This week in the Browns/Steelers game; are we to pick the team we think will have to most points at the end or the most players eligible to finish the game?

[NeedfulKings]

So something isn't clear to me, This week in the Browns/Steelers game; are we to pick the team we think will have to most points at the end or the most players eligible to finish the game?

:emot-roflolmao:

[RUBE]

It looks like some people are trying to lose???

Well, when it's clear you can no longer place at the top, there is another trophy awarded here. This will be my first time to try for it.

[Jon]

I keeptrying from 12 th place hoping I may learn something and suck less.

Happy Holidays football folks!!

[east-tennessee]

Such a pleasure watching the Patriots loose.......:clap:

[NeedfulKings]

It looks like some people are trying to lose???

Well, when it's clear you can no longer place at the top, there is another trophy awarded here. This will be my first time to try for it.

Most coveted! Good luck! :)


I keeptrying from 12 th place hoping I may learn something and suck less.

Happy Holidays football folks!!

Spoken like a true Seahawks fan! 12th man? :D


Such a pleasure watching the Patriots loose.......:clap:

Last minute change to pick Houston. I'm glad I did!!!

[RUBE]

I got 8 right trying to pick losers. What a crazy week.

[Jon]

Such a pleasure watching the Patriots loose.......:clap:

Yeah but I'm telling you; if that Tom Brady kid keeps with it he might end up being something!

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to gersto for having the best picks for week 13 (12 wins!).

[Jon]

The 'Hawks looked soooo flat! UGh

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to SpaceMaN, Lurker, and Ben Breeg for having the best picks for week 14 (11 wins!).

I'm also starting to pay attention to last place - incorporating penalties for missed picks, here is where I see it standing.

Rube – 114 (105 plus a penalty of 9)
Divemaster – 117 (117 penalty - 0)

All others seem to have dropped out...

[Lurker]

Three more weeks. Whew.

[NeedfulKings]

Three more weeks. Whew.

It is tight at the top!!!!

[Jon]

Three more weeks. Whew.
The Groundhog saw it's shadow???

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Oxcy8 and Ben Breeg for having the best picks for week 15 (12 wins!).

Last Place:
Rube – 119 (110 plus a penalty of 9)
Divemaster – 127 (127 penalty - 0)

[Jon]

Hmmm...let's see. If I had a top rated NFL team and decided to break a rule (for the second time) to gain an advantage over an opponent; would I choose to take that risk against the friggin' BENGALS!!!???

[NeedfulKings]

Hmmm...let's see. If I had a top rated NFL team and decided to break a rule (for the second time) to gain an advantage over an opponent; would I choose to take that risk against the friggin' BENGALS!!!???

And why would anyone on a top rated team feel the need to cheat. NFL needs to make a statement...

[Johnny007]

I know I'm not in contention this year so I decided that I'd pick all the teams that I wanted to win this week instead of making "smart" picks. So far, 0-3. Thanks to TB for giving a win to Houston. After that I quit watching football yesterday. The only game I care about is Monday night. Go Pack go!

John

[NeedfulKings]

I know I'm not in contention this year so I decided that I'd pick all the teams that I wanted to win this week instead of making "smart" picks. So far, 0-3. Thanks to TB for giving a win to Houston. After that I quit watching football yesterday. The only game I care about is Monday night. Go Pack go!

John

I've been in the same boat. I needed some oddball wins to make any move and they've all failed! There's always next year! :)

[Lurker]

Geez. Arizona???

So, what is the total number of possible points? 16 x 17?

[NeedfulKings]

Geez. Arizona???

So, what is the total number of possible points? 16 x 17?

I think the possible points, if someone picked perfect (barring tie games) is 256.

It's a mad race for the trophies!!!!

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to SpaceMaN, Randall Flagg, Ben Breeg, and Spencer for having the best picks for week 16 (12 wins!).

Last Place:
Rube – 124 (115 plus a penalty of 9)
Divemaster – 135 (127 penalty - 0)

All games are played Sunday. Good luck to those in the hunt!

[Jon]

Hmmm...let's see. If I had a top rated NFL team and decided to break a rule (for the second time) to gain an advantage over an opponent; would I choose to take that risk against the friggin' BENGALS!!!???

And why would anyone on a top rated team feel the need to cheat. NFL needs to make a statement...


They'll pay the fine with the Superbowl winnings. THAT will teach them!!

[Jon]

Saturday, I was pulling for the Rams against SF. I feel sooo dirty!!

[SpaceMaN]

All down to the last game of the season. Couldn't ask for a better opponent. Good luck!

[BedOfRoses]

All down to the last game of the season. Couldn't ask for a better opponent. Good luck!

Very exciting finish! Good luck, Aaron! :sharepopcorn: :huglove:

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to the trophy winners!!! We have several repeat recipients (notated in parentheses) and this is Lurker's first trophy!

First Place: SpaceMan
(2018 Second Place, 2011 Third Place, 2008 Last Place, 2007 Last Place)

Second Place: BedOfRoses
(2015 Second Place, 2012 First Place, 2006 Last Place)

Third Place (tie): Lurker

Third Place (tie): gersto
(2018 Second Place, 2014 First Place)

Last Place: Rube
(2018 Third Place, 2017 Third Place, 2014 Third Place, 2010 Third Place, 2008 Second Place, 2007 Third Place)

[east-tennessee]

Congrats to the trophy winners......:smile: It was a fun season...
Go Titans.......:)
Special thanks to Bill for putting this game together another season......:thumbsup:

[BedOfRoses]

Congratulations, everyone! Special congrats to Aaron--you came on strong in the end and took first (what a final game!). Good pickin'! :thumbsup:

[Lurker]

Whee! I am very excited!!! :biggrin:

Congrats to SpaceMan, BedofRoses and gersto and Rube. And much thanks to Bill.

[Garrell]

Congrats all

[RUBE]

Thanks for hosting Bill and congratulations to everyone that got a trophy.

I guess the only way for me to get something besides third is to go for last.

[NeedfulKings]

Thank all of you!!!

By the way, it looks like SpaceMaN has joined an elite group to have won all levels of the contest (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and last). If my records are correct, only SkippyDO23 has done that.

:)

[SpaceMaN]

Wow all 4 trophies huh. Only took me 13 years or so!

Thanks everyone. Seems the less I pay attention, the better I do at sports things. I won a fantasy league and got 2nd in another. Go figure

[Randall Flagg]

Congratulations to the winners! Thanks to Bill for running the contest.


<--------------------------Puts nose to grindstone and starts working on next year.

[Jon]

Congrats everyone.

Thank you once again, Bill and BoR!!

[NeedfulKings]

Trophy update: We are still in the works on ordering them. Not to worry! We have had some personal health issues with our extended family and their health has been on our minds a lot.

For those who usually participate in the NCAA tourney - you know by now that it is cancelled. I declare the Oregon State Beavers as national champs. ;)

[Jon]

Nice call. Everyone likes Beavers!

[NeedfulKings]

Wow - time has flown Covid-style. We are still working on the 2019 trophies. Don't lose hope! And I'll get the 2020 game thread loaded this weekend. Just under a month until the first game of the season!!!!