2022 Dark Tower Football Pick Contest - Come Reap

[NeedfulKings]

As with last year, picking a win/loss is still the game, but they now award 10 points for each win. Get in the game early so you can feel your way around before the group locks on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8!

How to Play

1. It’s simple. Click on the following link and it should take you to the ESPN pigskin pick'em site. If you don’t have an ESPN profile, you will have to set one up.

https://fantasy.espn.com/games/nfl-pigskin-pickem-2022/group?id=4506c225-fbbd-32a4-87ba-2319ca875f3e

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

ESPN will initially name your entry for you, but you can change that entry name to better identify with your name here once the entry has been created (look for the blue gear cog).

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. This contest will end at the conclusion of the ESPN Pick'em season.

4. At the end of the pick'em season, whoever has the best 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, or suffer a penalty for any game(s) not picked. To be safe, just be sure to get IN THE GAME each week and make your picks early!!!!

Last year, there was a post-season trophy event. Should that occur again, I encourage all to participate. THANK YOU!

Not tempted enough? - here are the last couple of years trophies...



http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/996/medium/DT23.jpg


http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/996/medium/IMG_09671.jpg

[BedOfRoses]

I'm in! Woot! :excited:

[Lurker]

Already? Wow.
Back to reading the sports pages...

[Garrell]

In again!

[fernandito]

I'm in this year baby!

[Randall Flagg]

I'm in!!

[NeedfulKings]

I'm in! Woot! :excited:


Already? Wow.
Back to reading the sports pages...


In again!


I'm in this year baby!


I'm in!!

:thumbsup::thumbsup: Oh, it's gonna be a great season!!!! COME REAP!

[gsvec]

I'm all set! Looking forward to this as I do every year! Thanks as always, Bill!

[NeedfulKings]

I'm all set! Looking forward to this as I do every year! Thanks as always, Bill!

Awesome! I'm looking forward to being a dweller the cellar since my Seahawks are likely in a "rebuilding" phase. :)

[ajw2910]

I’m in too!

[Merlin1958]

I'm in, Bill

[Jon]

I'm all set! Looking forward to this as I do every year! Thanks as always, Bill!

Awesome! I'm looking forward to being a dweller the cellar since my Seahawks are likely in a "rebuilding" phase. :)


Isn't that the default for the 'Hawks?


I just realized that the Seahawks MAY be the one team with the most fans in this particular contest. I also notced that my spell check thinks "Seahawks" isn't a word. This seems ominous.



At any rate...I am in as Benjamin Bregg and ready to sink to the bottom!!

[Lurker]

As my Packer lovin' best friend calls them when bad - the Seagulls.
Been cleaning out a lot sports stuff to get rid of and found a Seattle wristband a player threw into the stands at the only football game I've ever been to.
Going to be hard to pick them not to win...

[ajw2910]

My Packer loving friend calls them the Shithawks when they are bad……or throwing a Hail Mary to beat his packers, again.
I’ll just have to hope that the Hawks have a plan for next year cause I think this year is gonna be painful to watch…..

[Jon]

THIS year will be painful? This decade thus far.

[Merlin1958]

Anyone care to go on record as to the final two teams this year? I'm thinking the, Rams again and perhaps, Buffalo finally. Of course, K.C. is always a concern and competitor.

[NeedfulKings]

Anyone care to go on record as to the final two teams this year? I'm thinking the, Rams again and perhaps, Buffalo finally. Of course, K.C. is always a concern and competitor.

Any two teams not affiliated with Tom Brady. That's my ask. :)

[Merlin1958]

Anyone care to go on record as to the final two teams this year? I'm thinking the, Rams again and perhaps, Buffalo finally. Of course, K.C. is always a concern and competitor.

Any two teams not affiliated with Tom Brady. That's my ask. :)


AMEN TO THAT SENTIMENT!!!!





:wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf::wtf:

[ajw2910]

THIS year will be painful? This decade thus far.

True……I’ve tried to put the others out of my memory.

[NeedfulKings]

The Pick'em picks give the Seahawks a 6% chance of winning against Wilson's Broncos. Did that way me to pick against my Birds? Nah. LOL!

Just a few days to go - you MUST create your entry before Thursday's kickoff or the system locks you out. GET. IN. THE. GAME!

And thanks to Randall Flagg for plugging the contest in other threads - much appreciated!

[Jon]

Anyone care to go on record as to the final two teams this year? I'm thinking the, Rams again and perhaps, Buffalo finally. Of course, K.C. is always a concern and competitor.

Any two teams not affiliated with Tom Brady. That's my ask. :)


Tom who??


My picks are in!

[Merlin1958]

:cool::thumbsup:

[NeedfulKings]

DEADLINE to get your entry created is tomorrow's season opener. 5:20 PST - 8:20 EST.

GET IN THE GAME!!!! :)

[Lurker]

I can't decide on tomorrow. I hate the first week! The Buffalo Bills kid lost at the US Open today so maybe that's the omen I need.

[NeedfulKings]

I can't decide on tomorrow. I hate the first week! The Buffalo Bills kid lost at the US Open today so maybe that's the omen I need.

I'm leading with my heart for the first week. Even though they are division rivals to Seattle, they are a longtime family favorite (when they are in L.A.). Go Rams!

[Randall Flagg]

Well the ~16 of us are locked in.

[Merlin1958]

Well, I'm off to a somewhat auspicious start!!! lol lol

[NeedfulKings]

Seahawks win! Even though Geno Smith did well, Seattle proved that defense wins games. I did get tired of Aikman and Buck blaming all the Bronco false starts and delays of games on the fact that Denver did not play starters in pre-season. That MAY have been a factor, but if you come to Seattle enough times, you know the 12th man has a direct effect. And against Wilson (whom I still admire), they brought their A-game!

[ajw2910]

I would love to get there for a game someday. I didn’t have faith and picked against them, but they didn’t look too bad, at least in the first half!

[Merlin1958]

Chiefs or Chargers???


FYI, if you have the DTV NFL package w/sports channels package, I called and bitched about the TNF on Amazon and got a 6 month 20$ off discount. Call the "Account Retention" department and let em have it for the broadcasts. I also complained about games I now don't get from my MLB package and got another $16.50 off for 6 months (Length of the package in both cases from a payment POV)

[Randall Flagg]

But you still didn't get the feed for the game!
You need Amazon Prime, or go to a sports bar that has the NFL ticket.
A special agreement was made for sports bars to get the feed.
Of course the business cost of the Ticket for my local sports bar went from 5.5k a season to 8k.
Ouch!

[Jon]

Chiefs or Chargers???


. I also complained about games I now don't get from my MLB package and got another $16.50 off for 6 months (Length of the package in both cases from a payment POV)


My GF often calls to complain about package length too! Hmmm...she doesn't even have DTV!

[Jon]

Please pardon me if I ask silly questions early in the season. The NASCAR playoffs are in full swing so I've been a bit distracted for several weeks.


But what is that symbol on KC's midfield?

[Lurker]

If I remember correctly, it is the 50th anniversary of Arrowhead Stadium and that was the original logo.

[NeedfulKings]

But you still didn't get the feed for the game!
You need Amazon Prime, or go to a sports bar that has the NFL ticket.
A special agreement was made for sports bars to get the feed.
Of course the business cost of the Ticket for my local sports bar went from 5.5k a season to 8k.
Ouch!

I'm sick of these sports teams selling single games to streamings like Prime, Youtube, AppleTV, etc. It's happening in all sports - "extra coverage" on Golf+, Tennis+, NASCAR+, ESPN+ and all that shit. It's the opposite effect of expanding the fan base. It seems to be marginalizing to those who can pay big $ to subscribe to all those different services.


If I remember correctly, it is the 50th anniversary of Arrowhead Stadium and that was the original logo.

Good call. Sounds like the entire field, including end-zones, and throwback.

[RUBE]

One game? I am fairly sure that the Thursday night game will be on Amazon for the rest of the year. It's why they way overpaid Herbstreet to partly steal him away from college football and came up with all those ridiculous graphics and logos. It cost them a billion for the rights to the Thursday games this year.

I'm lucky that my wife loves to shop Amazon and has Prime. Eventually I'll take advantage of it and watch some of the other shows like the new LOTR show.

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Week 1 winner SkippyDO23 (10-5-1)!

Congratulations to Week 2 winner Garrell (12-4)!

[Garrell]

ROAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lurker]

Congrats all.

I just read up on the Amazon stuff. 11 years. And just for the first year of the pact with the devil will the local game be on regular tv. Oh boy - a Texans game.
The only thing that coud be done is for folk not to watch the Amazon broadcast, but that's not gonna happen. The game comes on NFL channel 4 hrs later - so they could just watch the late game.

[Randall Flagg]

Man, I'm having a rough few weeks.

[Merlin1958]

Man, I'm having a rough few weeks.

Amen, brother!!!!

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Week 3 winner Oxcy-Johnny007 (11-5)!

[ajw2910]

Man, I'm having a rough few weeks.

Amen, brother!!!!

You guys? I just checked and see that I’m the bottom-dweller!

[NeedfulKings]

Man, I'm having a rough few weeks.

Amen, brother!!!!

You guys? I just checked and see that I’m the bottom-dweller!

Not the worst thing, thanks to our most-coveted Last Place trophy. I've got a couple myself!

[ajw2910]

Man, I'm having a rough few weeks.

Amen, brother!!!!

You guys? I just checked and see that I’m the bottom-dweller!

Not the worst thing, thanks to our most-coveted Last Place trophy. I've got a couple myself!

I won’t tank my season for the trophy, but the way I’m picking it may happen anyway!

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Week 4 winner SkippyDO23 (12-4)!

[Jon]

Hell! I was 50% or lower for two weeks straight!


Now that the Colts topped the Broncos, I'm well set for a third week of sucking.

[NeedfulKings]

Lots of winners this week! Congratulations to Week 5 winners Merlin1958, RUBE, Randall Flagg and Divemaster (11-5)!

[Merlin1958]

Well, the air up here is much fresher!!!! lol

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Week 6 winners gersto and Oxcy-Johnny007 (10-4)!

[Jon]

Why DO I drink?

[ajw2910]

Because you can’t predict what our Seahawks will do and if you’re like me you have been wrong with them every week this year!!

[Lurker]

I always pick them to win - so it's 3-3. I can live with that. It's just the rest of them. I Think this is my worst year ever. Oh, well....

[Jon]

Because you can’t predict what our Seahawks will do and if you’re like me you have been wrong with them every week this year!!




Except 2014!!


Then...2015.. RUN the fucking ball from the 2. You have beastmode!!! Fuck Pete!!

[ajw2910]

Because you can’t predict what our Seahawks will do and if you’re like me you have been wrong with them every week this year!!


Dude, don’t remind me! I never felt sicker than when I watched that interception.

Except 2014!!


Then...2015.. RUN the fucking ball from the 2. You have beastmode!!! Fuck Pete!!

Dude, don’t remind me. I’ve never felt sicker than when I watched that interception.

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Week 7 winner SkippyDO23 (11-3)!

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Week 8 winners SkippyDO23 (Again!) and gsvec (11-4)!

[NeedfulKings]

Really close to a no-loss week! Congratulations to the Week 9 winner RUBE (12-1)!

[NeedfulKings]

What a wild finish to an already wild week! Congratulations to the Week 10 winners divemaster and BedOfRoses (9-5)!

[Merlin1958]

Bill, I can't seem to make any picks. Been blank since Wednesday. Match-ups won't populate. What do I do now?

[NeedfulKings]

Bill, I can't seem to make any picks. Been blank since Wednesday. Match-ups won't populate. What do I do now?

I don't have any answers - hopefully you can get some answers from ESPN! Sucks!

On a whim - if you can't get it to work, please PM me all of your picks (Sunday and Monday) by kickoff Sunday morning. I'll at least have a record of your intentions.

Bill

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to the Week 11 winner Lurker with an impressive 12-2 finish!

[Jon]

Bill, I can't seem to make any picks. Been blank since Wednesday. Match-ups won't populate. What do I do now?




It's good now... except that giant sucking sound coming from the Pac N W

[Lurker]

I'm old enough to remeber the Heidi Bowl - not that I cared at the time - but today KHOU Houston cut away with 23 seconds left in the Buffalo game to broadcast a tornado alert Apparently it is a law.
But couldn't the idiots have done a two boxes screen. Or even a crawl. Or crawl the weather alert. What a useless law. Every alert (I get alerts I didn't even sign up for) now a days comes over the phone - smart or landline. PLus I usually lose my satellite signal in bad weather. So, that's really useful...

[Jon]

I was too young for the "Santa incident " in Philly but I got to see someone's home film of it. It was pretty nasty. 1966 I think.

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Week 12 winners SkippyDO23, RUBE, divemaster, Lurker. and Spencer (11-5)!

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Week 13 winners Merlin1958, RUBE, and Randall Flagg (12-2-1)!

[Johnny007]

I have to say that Oxcy's pics this year really sucked. As did my GB Packers! That hurts me as an owner, but at least I can boast to Jerry about the Dal-GB results! It's not over yet...but I do hear a lady singing in the background.

[Randall Flagg]

Tough to come back this time of year. I get 12 right, and effectively gained little or no ground.

[Jon]

You know. Being half buzzed I sit here and wonder odd things such as:


How do the Seahawks keep signing dead celebrities like Micheal Jackson and Cobe Bryant?

[NeedfulKings]

Hmm- Garrell missed picks this week. Anyone have him on their radar? Hope all is well!

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Week 14 winners SkippyDO23, divemaster, and Johnny007 (9-4)

[Garrell]

I am fine but blew it. I thought I had picked. Almost cried when I saw, too late.

[NeedfulKings]

I am fine but blew it. I thought I had picked. Almost cried when I saw, too late.

Glad your okay. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I don’t see picks for tonight’s game from you or Randall Flagg.

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Week 15 winners Garrell, Lurker, and Spencer (12-4)

[Jon]

I cannot believe the regular season is nearing it's end!

[NeedfulKings]

I cannot believe the regular season is nearing it's end!

I know! And I've sucked the whole damn year!!!! :D

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations to Week 16 winner, Merlin1958 (12-4)

[Randall Flagg]

There is some bug in the ESPN contest. I made EVERY pick this week and yet it shows zero picks (thus all losses) I triple checked after my (correct) Thursday night pick showed me as not selecting.
Now It shows no picks for the early games today (thus all losses). I obviously somehow got screwed. If this is how it's going to be, then there will be no contest thread next year. I take this contest very seriously, and don't always win one of the first 3 places, but this "glitch" has cost me a chance to even be in third place.


It is thus a fraud.

[NeedfulKings]

This really does suck. I'm working offline with RF to see what we can do to resolve this week. If anyone else is having/has had issues with the site at any point this season, please let me know - and let me know if you found a solution. If the contest is going to move forward on the ESPN site, we need to develop some troubleshooting tips.

[NeedfulKings]

We will not announce an individual winner this week - pending the outcome of tonight's scheduled game. Prayers go out to Damar Hamlin and his family, friends, and fans.

Be well everyone.

[BedOfRoses]

We will not announce an individual winner this week - pending the outcome of tonight's scheduled game. Prayers go out to Damar Hamlin and his family, friends, and fans.

Be well everyone.

:cry: Be well, Damar. :cry:

[Lurker]

What a shocker. Hope he gets well.

[NeedfulKings]

What a shocker. Hope he gets well.

Agree.

[NeedfulKings]

This is the last week folks! If you feel you're having ANY issues getting your picks in - especially those of you vying for a trophy, feel free to PM me your picks before the games lock on Saturday.

[Jon]

Next season I'm going to drop 2 blotters 8 hours before I make my picks. I can't do worse (unless my picks aren't recorded.)

[Merlin1958]

Next season I'm going to drop 2 blotters 8 hours before I make my picks. I can't do worse (unless my picks aren't recorded.)

Capital suggestion, Jon!!! lol

[NeedfulKings]

The end is near!!!! Tomorrow (Sunday) offers 14 games - 14 points. Here are the contenders:

SkippyDO23 - 167-88
Merlin - 165-88
Rube - 160-95
Randall Flagg 157-92 (this is an adjusted score)
Divemaster - 154-101

Last place is pretty much locked in for BedOfRoses! :)

Good luck all!!!

[Randall Flagg]

I am submitting an official protest.
Had all of my picks been accepted (including a win from a few weeks ago that was dropped, I would be close to, if not third place).


Jerome

[NeedfulKings]

I am submitting an official protest.
Had all of my picks been accepted (including a win from a few weeks ago that was dropped, I would be close to, if not third place).


Jerome

It's absolutely unfortunate that ESPN dropped picks - it messes with our rhythm for sure. As I see it, considering the final picks of tonight's game, even with the consideration of the proof of picks you provided on Private Message (net 6 games), plus the missed game earlier in the season, RUBE still has a 1-game hold on third place.

If DT.org moves forward using ESPN (which I cannot imagine using any other platform), I think we'll add a disclaimer that the contest nor DT.org cannot be liable for any technical issues with the ESPN site.

Bill

[NeedfulKings]

Congratulations!!!! We have a defending winner, winning again! And a first-time winner (check me on this). Thanks for all who participated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(previous wins in parenthesis)

FIRST PLACE: SkippyD023 (2021 First Place, 2016 Last Place, 2015 Second Place, 2012 Last Place, 2011 Firsts Place, 2010 Second Place, 2009 Third Place)

SECOND PLACE: Merlin1958

THIRD PLACE: RUBE (2020 Third Place, 2019 Last Place, 2018 Third Place, 2017 Third Place 2014 Third Place, 2010 Third Place, 2008 Second Place, 2007 Third Place)

LAST PLACE WINNER: BedOfRoses (2019 Second Place, 2015 Second Place, 2012 First Place, 2006 Last Place)

[Merlin1958]

HOT DAMN!!!!!!!

[Lurker]

Congrats to all!! Look forward to next years game.

[BedOfRoses]

Congrats to all the winners! And the Seahawks are in the playoffs--woo hoo! :nana:

[Randall Flagg]

I withdraw my protest.
Congrats to the winners-in particular Bill (Merlin1958) for 2nd place. I think this is the first year Bill Bender has finished in the top three.

[SkippyD023]

Congrats Everyone.

A big thanks to Bill for organizing this event every year!!

[ajw2910]

Congrats to the winners…..

I made it to 4th this year so maybe next year is the one to get one of those nice trophies!

[Jon]

Last Place: BedOfRoses (2019 Second Place, 2015 Second Place, 2012 First Place, 2006 Last Place)




Feast or famine eh lady?


Like a true Seahawk!


Thank you once again Bill and BoR!

[BedOfRoses]

Last Place: BedOfRoses (2019 Second Place, 2015 Second Place, 2012 First Place, 2006 Last Place)




Feast or famine eh lady?


Like a true Seahawk!


Thank you once again Bill and BoR!

Feast or famine for sure, but I'm happy to have won the coveted Last Place Winner trophy this year! Hope you're well (and sorry to see the Seahawks lose yesterday). :rose:

[Randall Flagg]

Alas Bill passed away today and will never be able to enjoy his trophy. Bill participated most every year and rarely did well. How sad that the first time he earned a trophy, he wont be able to enjoy it.

[RUBE]

I am sad to hear that. Bill was also an early member of the fantasy football league and even donated the traveling trophy. It will be weird not to see him posting here. Thoughts and prayers for his family.

[BedOfRoses]

Alas Bill passed away today and will never be able to enjoy his trophy. Bill participated most every year and rarely did well. How sad that the first time he earned a trophy, he wont be able to enjoy it.

I'm so sad! He was a special part of this contest, was so much fun, and we will miss him so much. RIP, Bill. :cry:

[NeedfulKings]

Alas Bill passed away today and will never be able to enjoy his trophy. Bill participated most every year and rarely did well. How sad that the first time he earned a trophy, he wont be able to enjoy it.

God, this hurts so bad. Bill was ALWAYS active in the contests. And he was a kind man, even with his feisty attitude. This would have been his first NFL Pick'em trophy. He did take home the 2018 Bowl Mania trophy and the 2016 and 2017 March Madness First Place trophy. All his trophies will forever be secure in the clearing at the end of the path.

[NeedfulKings]

Quite a delay, but trophies are in! We've had a few family matters that slowed things down, and our usual supplier moved warehouses, but never seemed to restock. So, we have a new supplier and I expect these will start going out next week. Thanks for the patience and congrats to the winners!

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/996/medium/IMG_2298.jpg

[BedOfRoses]

Quite a delay, but trophies are in! We've had a few family matters that slowed things down, and our usual supplier moved warehouses, but never seemed to restock. So, we have a new supplier and I expect these will start going out next week. Thanks for the patience and congrats to the winners!

http://www.thedarktower.org/gallery/data/996/medium/IMG_2298.jpg

Yay! I love my last place winner trophy! :heart:

[RUBE]

Sorry to highjack your thread Bill, but we need a replacement member in the fantasy football league.

If someone here on thedarktower.org is interested in the spot, they will get the first shot at it. The team is a good one that won the championship recently. If you are interested or know someone that is, please have them send me a PM.

[NeedfulKings]

Sorry to highjack your thread Bill, but we need a replacement member in the fantasy football league.

If someone here on thedarktower.org is interested in the spot, they will get the first shot at it. The team is a good one that won the championship recently. If you are interested or know someone that is, please have them send me a PM.

No problem hijacking. I'll rebroadcast - if you want to get into the Fantasy game, do it!!!!

[RUBE]

Thank you Bill. I think we have found a replacement. I'll be updating as it goes on the fantasy football thread.