Friday Taunt - Divisional Round

Upsets upsets are no fair, upsets upsets everywhere.

Well, that went south in a hurry. We entered the playoffs with thirteen souls and an undefeated team, each participant brimming with picks and options to spare, and now ... there is little that is brimming. By virtue of Cowboys and Chiefs losses, as well as the fact that many participants declined to save the Patriots for Superbowl use, some participants have actually run out of picks.

Ten remain, ten brave souls who have spent months agonizing over minute football details, and here we are with only a pair of weekends remaining. It will get to the Superbowl ... Ber & Her remains undefeated. But beyond that truth, I have none. It is looking more and more likely that we will enjoy a split pot scenario, but not necessarily --- there are still paths through the maze and an outright win is still possible.

Onward to the finish, onward to glory. Let the football gods decide.

That is all.

Friday Taunt XVIII - Wild Card

The Dirty Dozen.

Only twelve remain, the vast majority of them Pool veterans who know how to manage their playoff picks. Still, a few newbies looking to spoil the party. Back Nine Ben elected to roll with the Raiders, but it mattered not given his multiple Lions selections in previous weeks.

Ber and Her declined my generous dollars-for-life offer and still rolls on without defeat. The pressure is mounting and everyone feels it -- one small mistake spells doom. Four still carry the Swami Hex ... Mr. T and I both very much pity those fools, for they have already lost, they just don't know it yet.

That is all.

The Root of the Taunt of the End of the Regular Season

Ladies and gentlemen, the cream has risen.

We bid adieu to the Swami himself, as well as more than a score of others since the last post; the Chargers struck once more, and brought along the Titans, Bucs, Redskins, and Rams to decimate the remaining field.

Week Sixteen was not sweet at all, a true Reaper's Delight; only six were unscathed. Week Seventeen three more bit the dust, Swami Pool veterans all, scalped and left for dead by those vicious politically incorrect Native Americans. Ze German shed a few tears on your behalf, I am sure.

End of Regular Season Statistics
202 participants
1 undefeated
12 with one loss
189 deceased

You will notice that only one participant remains undefeated ... well, actually technically two: Ber and Her, take a bow. This pleasant pairing of Westmac of old owns the top spot and is the only team to walk through the regular season unblemished. This has happened a handful of times before ... and usually in this case the reality show producer in me rears his beautiful and slightly ugly head.

Therefore, Ber and Her, I will offer to purchase one life from you for $400. That's right, if you take a loss right now and enter the playoffs with an even playing field, you will pocket $400 of pool winnings. You have until close of business on Friday to decide. Check back here to see if they took the deal. Is a bird in the hand really worth it? Ber and Her will answer that age-old question by Friday.

You will also note in viewing the spreadsheet that only three participants remain who still have the Swami Hex upon them; all others have fallen. I would be very concerned at this point if I was Mr. Mister, The Missing Link, and Back Nine Ben. The Hex is still upon you and only rolling with the Dolphins this weekend will remove the curse.

Playoff Rules Reminder: You may pick any team you either (1) did not use during the regular season or (2) picked between weeks one and nine. You may not use a team twice in the playoffs. Please remember that the pairings may shuffle in round two of playoffs depending on who wins (the NFL reseeds).

The cream has risen. The noose tightens further. Ber and Her is on the clock.

That is all.