11/05/24
January 05, 2018
Play SportsFilter's NFL Playoff Pick 'Em Contest: The NFL Playoff Pick 'Em is back. Pick the four teams that will win this weekend's games along with five prop bets. The first prize this year to the winner is glorious.
How This WorksSportsFilter is running an NFL Pick 'Em contest for the playoffs and awarding a prize to the winner: Zubaz NFL camo print casual active pants for the team of your choice ($32.99 value).
To play, pick who you think will win and by how many points. You then get points based on the result:
Picked the winner? You get 5 points
Picked the winner and a spread within the margin of error? You get 3 more points
Picked the winner and the exact spread? You get 2 more points
There are also bonus categories to pick each week worth 5 points each.
What's the Margin of Error?
A window around the spread that's defined as the following:
spread - round(0.3 * spread) <= Margin of Error <= spread + round(0.3 * spread)
You get rewarded for being close to the spread. The bigger the spread, the bigger the margin of error, so you don't have to be as accurate predicting a blowout as a close game.
Examples:
| Actual Spread | Margin Starts at | Margin Ends at |
| 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | 3 | 5 |
| 7 | 5 | 9 |
| 11 | 8 | 14 |
| 20 | 14 | 26 |
| Outcome | Your score |
| Dallas by 20 | 8 points (winner + spread within MoE) |
| Dallas by 10 | 5 points (winner only) |
| Dallas by 15 | 10 points (winner + nailed spread) |
| Miami by 5 | 0 points |
Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks
You can choose any game as a stone cold lead pipe lock. This doubles the points you win for that game, but if that team doesn't win, you lose 10 points (even if you get the spread). You can make as many picks a lock as you like or pick no locks at all.
The Small Print
In order to receive the prize, you must respond to our email within 14 days of the winner announcement. Make sure you have a valid email address on SportsFilter or contact me within that time period. The prize does not include international shipping, so in that situation you can pay the cost or receive an equivalent cash prize over Paypal.
This Week's Games
Tennessee at Kansas City on ABC (Saturday)
Atlanta at L.A. Rams on NBC (Saturday)
Buffalo at Jacksonville on CBS (Sunday)
Carolina at New Orleans on Fox (Sunday)
Picks must be submitted in this discussion before the game's kickoff. So if you miss Saturday's opener you can still choose the remaining games.
Aren't the games Saturday/Sunday??
posted by billsaysthis at 11:44 AM on January 05, 2018
Crud. Now a bunch of fans are going to show up a day early and it'll be my fault.
I wanted this sweater to be the prize but they're not made for all NFL teams.
posted by rcade at 11:53 AM on January 05, 2018
GAMES:
Kansas City by 9
Atlanta by 9
Jacksonville by 8
New Orleans by 8
PROP BETS:
QB: M. Ryan (ATL)
RB: K. Hunt (KC)
WR: J. Jones (ATL)
INT: M. Peters (KC) +5
PTS: Atlanta
posted by NoMich at 12:02 PM on January 05, 2018
KC by 11 (lock)
Rams by 6 (fuck Stan Kroenke)
Jacksonville by 9
New Orleans by 12
Props:
QB: Brees +5
RB: Gurley
WR: M. Thomas (NO)
INT: J. Poyer (Buf)
PTS: Rams
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:08 PM on January 05, 2018
Zubaz NFL camo print casual active pants for the team of your choice ($32.99 value).
$32.99 might be the retail price, but I'd argue that the value of those suckers is virtually immeasurable. I mean, think anybody wants a roundhouse kick from you wearing those bad boys? Better put my prognosticatin' duds on.
Kansas City by 17 LOCK
L.A. Rams by 6
Jacksonville by 4
New Orleans by 10
Quarterback with the most passing yards. Ryan (Atl.)
Player with the most rushing yards. Hunt (KC)
Player with the most receiving yards. Thomas (NO)
Player who will get an interception. Peters (KC) +5
Most Points. New Orleans +5
posted by tahoemoj at 12:12 PM on January 05, 2018
KC by 7 LOCK
Rams by 9
JAX by 10
NO by 8
QB: Brees +5
RB: Gurley
WR: Jones (ATL)
INT: Bouye (JAX)
PTS: Rams
posted by cixelsyd at 12:17 PM on January 05, 2018
I wanted this sweater to be the prize but they're not made for all NFL teams.
Hopefully the winner of the pants isn't an Arizona Cardinals fan (or is also a University of Arizona fan...)
posted by bender at 12:49 PM on January 05, 2018
Tennessee by 3
L.A. Rams by 2
LOCK Jacksonville by 10 LOCK
New Orleans by 7
1. Matt Ryan (ATL)
2. Mark Ingram (NO)
3. Michael Thomas (NO)
4. Kevin Byard (TEN)
5. LA Rams
posted by bender at 12:55 PM on January 05, 2018
Kansas City by 13 - LOCK
L.A. Rams by 14 - LOCK
Jacksonville by 6 - LOCK
New Orleans by 10 - LOCK
1. Jared Goff (LARM)
2. Todd Gurley (LARM)
3. Julio Jones (ATL)
4. Marc Barron (LARM)
5. Los Angeles Rams
posted by tron7 at 01:03 PM on January 05, 2018
Kansas City by 17
Atlanta by 18
Buffalo by 6
Carolina by 19
QB Ryan
RB Freeman
INT Trufant
WR Sanu
Pts Carolina
posted by tommybiden at 02:15 PM on January 05, 2018
Rams by 21 over the Falcons ... Stone Cold Lead Pipe Lock
Jacksonville by 7 over the Bills
Carolina by 7 over New Orleans
Kansas City by 10 over Tennessee
posted by moder8 at 02:29 PM on January 05, 2018
Brees ... passing +5
Gurley ... running
Woods .... receiving +5
Trumayne Johnson ... interception
Rams ... most points
posted by moder8 at 02:31 PM on January 05, 2018
Kansas City by 7 LOCK
L.A. Rams by 10 LOCK
Jacksonville by 7 LOCK
New Orleans by 17 LOCK
1. The quarterback with the most passing yards. +5 points Brees (Saints) +5
2. The player with the most rushing yards. +5 points Gurley (Rams)
3. The player with the most receiving yards. +5 points Jones (Falcons)
4. A player who will get an interception. +5 points AJ Bouye (Jags)
5. The team that will score the most points. +5 points Saints +5
posted by truthhurts at 08:53 PM on January 05, 2018
Kansas City by 10 <-- lock
L.A. Rams by 24 <-- lock
Jacksonville by 6 <-- lock
Carolina by 3
Passing: Jared Goff
Rushing: Todd Gurley
Receiving: Cooper Kupp
Interception: Jalen Ramsey +5
Most points: Rams
posted by rcade at 09:28 PM on January 05, 2018
KC by 11
Rams by 7
Jacksonville by 10
New Orleans by 13
QB: Alex Smith
RB: Todd Gurley
Receiver: Michael Thomas
INT: Tre'Dacious White
Points: Rams
posted by holden at 09:40 PM on January 05, 2018
Not sure why I cannot edit, but should be Tre'Davious (not Tre'Dacious) White.
Also, will lock all four games.
posted by holden at 09:43 PM on January 05, 2018
GAMES:
Kansas City by 6
Los Angeles by 13
Buffalo by 2 (I'm being stupid AND loyal in this case. I've waited 17 years...)
New Orleans by 7
PROP BETS:
QB: Brees (NO) +5
RB: Gurley (LA)
WR: Jones (ATL)
INT: Poyer (BUF)
PTS: New Orleans +5
posted by grum@work at 11:31 PM on January 05, 2018
I just got home from the Celtics vs T-Wolves game. Tight game until a little Celtics run in the 4th quarter. Very enjoyable, but now we have to shift our focus from roundball to pointy ball.
Kansas City by 16 LOCK
Los Angeles (National Conference) by 13 LOCK
Jacksonville by 10 LOCK
New Orleans by 9
Man with the golden arm (passing yards): Breese NO +5
Man with winged feet (rushing leader): Gurley LAR
Man with stickiest fingers (receiving yardage): Thomas NO
Thief of Baghdad (interception): Bouye JAX
Scoreboard lighters (most points): New Orleans +5
posted by Howard_T at 11:44 PM on January 05, 2018
Kansas City by 14 LOCK
L.A. Rams by 10 LOCK
Jacksonville by 10 LOCK
New Orleans by 15 LOCK
The quarterback BREES +5
rushing yards HUNT (KC)
receiving yards THOMAS (N.O.)
an interception. Bouye (Jacksonville)
score the most points. New Orleans +5
posted by rumple at 11:49 PM on January 05, 2018
Kansas City by 14 LOCK
Los Angeles Rams by 5
Jacksonville by 10 LOCK
New Orleans by 11
QB: Jared Goff (LA)
RB: Leonard Fournette (JAX)
WR: Michael Thomas (NO)
INT: A.J. Bouye (JAX)
Points: New Orleans Saints +5
posted by gridironarizona at 02:19 AM on January 06, 2018
Okay folks, allow me to enlighten you.
Kansas city by 9
Rams By 6
Jacksonville by 9
New Orleans by 7
QB Most passing yards. Jared Goff
Most Rushing Yards. Alvin Kamara
Most Receiving Yards. Cooper Kupp
INT. A.J. Bouye
Team Most Points. Jacksonville
posted by ic23b at 03:35 AM on January 06, 2018
KC by 6
Rams by 7
Jaguars by 17 LOCK it then LOCK it again
New Orleans by 10 LOCK
Passing: Bortles
Rushing: Gurley
Receiving: Cole (Jacksonville)
Interception: Church (Jacksonville) eventhough, Taylor doesn't usually throw any.
Points: Jacksonville
Gee, can you tell I'm a Jaguars homer? lol. It will be quite a weekend for me. Jaguars on Sunday, and Dawgs on Monday night.
posted by jagsnumberone at 04:17 AM on January 06, 2018
Kansas City by 7
Rams by 21 LOCK
Jacksonville by 10
Carolina by 7
posted by Boaz at 01:45 PM on January 06, 2018
That might be the best pick'em prize I've ever seen, rcade, you've outdone yourself. I hope they come in an XL-Tall, because I'm very motivated.
Kansas City by 8
Atlanta by 3
Jacksonville by 7 (stone cold LOCK)
New Orleans by 10 (stone cold LOCK)
PROP BETS:
1. The quarterback with the most passing yards: Alex Smith
2. The player with the most rushing yards: Devonta Freeman
3. The player with the most receiving yards: Tyreek Hill
4. A player who will get an interception: Marshon Lattimore
5. The team that will score the most points: Falcons
posted by Goyoucolts at 02:10 PM on January 06, 2018
Tennessee at Kansas City on ABC (Saturday) KC by 7 LOCK
Atlanta at L.A. Rams on NBC (Saturday) LAR by 5
Buffalo at Jacksonville on CBS (Sunday) JAX by 6
Carolina at New Orleans on Fox (Sunday) NO by 7
1. The quarterback with the most passing yards. Alex Smith
2. The player with the most rushing yards. Todd Gurley
3. The player with the most receiving yards. Julio Jones
4. A player who will get an interception. A.J. Bouye
5. The team that will score the most points. Chiefs
posted by werty at 03:00 PM on January 06, 2018
Chiefs by 10 LOCK
Rams by 9
Bills by 4
Saints by 8 LOCK
Passing Yds.: Drew Brees +5
Rushing Yds.: Leonard Fournette
Receiving Yds.: Robert Woods +5
Interception: Tre'Davious White
Most Points: Saints +5
(Tangy Props - lot o' Louisiana in there)
If the Bills win -- me, tommy and grum are heading to the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino to prep for week 2.
posted by beaverboard at 03:21 PM on January 06, 2018
If the Bills win -- me, tommy and grum are heading to the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino to prep for week 2.
Shotgun!!
posted by tommybiden at 04:12 PM on January 06, 2018
Well done, bender, no one else saw that coming. Titan Up.
posted by Goyoucolts at 08:11 PM on January 06, 2018
Tennessee 22, Kansas City 21: Thank you for playing along, and here are some lovely parting gifts.
Oh man I really wanted those pants.
posted by Howard_T at 08:45 PM on January 06, 2018
Andy Reid is buying a pair of pants for every darn person on this board who picked the Chiefs. It takes him about 5 minutes to change into his Santa outfit. He just puts a black belt around his KC windbreaker and adds the white stuff. Boots optional.
3 guys I don't ever want to see on the sideline as a head coach with the game magically going to hell in the second half and them standing there with a blank "what's happening?" look:
- Norv
- Wade
- Andy
Sean McDonough might call them "stoic". Now that Gruden's moving on, he can tell it like it is and call them "clueless". Andy gets extra style points because he blinks more than the other two when the shit is hitting the fan. Like the owl at the animal rescue shelter who got blinded by high beams and flew into a windshield on a country road late at night.
I had several stages of Andy Reid anxiety disorder this afternoon. The first was: "Oh, no, this is getting to the point where clock management might decide the outcome". It only got more delightful from there.
I initially had Derrick Henry picked for most rush yards, then changed it to Fournette. No points for almost. C'mon Lynyrd.
posted by beaverboard at 09:45 PM on January 06, 2018
Among the lovely parting gifts for all those who LOCKED the Chiefs:
A crackling version of "Thirty Days In The Hole" by Humble Pie.
posted by beaverboard at 10:07 PM on January 06, 2018
Well, at halftime my Chiefs lock and Alex Smith as top yardage QB were looking pretty, pretty good....
posted by holden at 10:39 PM on January 06, 2018
If "Thirty Days in the Hole" means those who locked KC cannot comment on SpoFi for the next month, the traffic will consist of Bender talking to himself.
posted by Howard_T at 11:18 PM on January 06, 2018
goyoucolts, tommy, and I were the only ones to believe in the Falcons. tommy, though, was the only to *really* believe in them. Mark my words, mofos, the Falcons will run roughshod over the bEagles next week
posted by NoMich at 11:42 PM on January 06, 2018
Well, there go the Rams right along after the Chiefs, down the hole.
Anyone know of a no-cost safe place to spend the night?
posted by beaverboard at 11:47 PM on January 06, 2018
And I was counting on winning those pants. Now I don't know what I will wear to my daughter's wedding!
posted by truthhurts at 09:26 AM on January 07, 2018
If your daughter's anything like this, you've got lots of other options.
posted by beaverboard at 10:40 AM on January 07, 2018
Soooooo close to hitting on my Falcons prop bet. Sigh.
posted by Goyoucolts at 07:28 PM on January 07, 2018
If "Thirty Days in the Hole" means those who locked KC cannot comment on SpoFi for the next month, the traffic will consist of Bender talking to himself.
I know you're all anxiously awaiting my very insightful analysis of how the Titans are going to pull the upset in Foxboro next Saturday.
posted by bender at 07:57 PM on January 07, 2018
Oh, I want to see the Titans do that. I'm already pondering how it would play out.
I think it begins with Belichick coming onto the field in a Giants windbreaker. Then the camera pans up to the owner's box and the only person sitting in it is Jonathan Kraft. Alex Guerrero leads the team out of the tunnel onto the sideline, followed by the ice cold Dr. Pepper guy with a tray full of kale smoothies. McDaniels sends Hoyer out to start the game.
The game broadcast gets transformed into a remake of "It's A Wonderful Life" with Mike Mularkey as George Bailey and Belichick as Old Man Potter. Roger Goodell as Uncle Billy. Josh McDaniels as Harry Bailey. Dante Scarnecchia as Clarence. Gino Cappelletti as Mr. Gower. Kraft's 20 year old girlfriend as Violet. Steve Nelson as Bert. Bridget Moynahan as Mary.
posted by beaverboard at 08:29 PM on January 07, 2018
True, but the Patriots are playing Mariota who can have his moments.
Steelers, on the other hand, drew Bortles who must have been drafted because of his prowess at the shot put.
posted by cixelsyd at 10:43 AM on January 08, 2018
If the Steelers have a chance to knock Bortles out of the game, do they take it?
posted by rcade at 07:24 PM on January 08, 2018
Pick these five prop bets for the entire weekend (not for each game):
1. The quarterback with the most passing yards. +5 points
2. The player with the most rushing yards. +5 points
3. The player with the most receiving yards. +5 points
4. A player who will get an interception. +5 points
5. The team that will score the most points. +5 points