The Root of the Week XVII

Thus far it's a symphony of picks this weekend, with the masses going either Redskins, Lions, Steelers, Falcons, or 49ers. Not all will find their way to the finish line, methinks, but then again me has thought wrong two weeks in a row.

The Swami rolls with Jimmy G and his red-hot band of goldsmiths. I thank the little Sheep for sitting pretty much their entire team.

That is all.

Friday Taunt XVI

It's that time of year, where we sit around our fires and hearths, and the holiday spirit rages within. 'Tis the season also for immense Swami Pool competitiveness for those souls who remain - our fearless eleven goes another undefeated week.

The cream will really rise though in Week 17 - who will make it to the end of the regular season? Will they hit the mark or crap out? One more weekend will tell for sure as our faithful eleven cocks back their arms, lets the dice fly one more time, and . . . 

That is all.

Friday Taunt XV (Plus the Root of the Week XVI)

The Reaper sat this last week out as the favorites went 14-0 ... and it really wasn't close. So our courageous eleven remaining souls venture into Week Sixteen, which is a much tougher prospect. 

Week 15 Stats
159 participants
1 undefeated soul
10 with one loss
148 deceased

Will the group make it to the end of the regular season?

Will anyone roll with the Bears against the Browns?

Will Cleveland succeed in its last best shot at a win?

Will the Swami Clan live to see another week?

So many questions ... stay tuned for answers ...

There is one answer however that can be given now. The Swami Clan in the form of the Factor will roll with Poe's Ravens to best the unLucky Colts in Week 16. In the battle of Bird vs Beast, who will reign supreme? Even answers bring more questions in this topsy-turvy 2017 NFL season.

That is all.

The Root of the Week XV

For those of us who remain, you will understand what the above image symbolizes; to remain alive you must have been stopping bullets ... all ... year ... long.

It has been one of the crazier seasons in recent memory, so much up and down, so many head-slapping upsets, so much rags-to-riches and riches-to-rags "this team is dominant oh wait now they've lost five straight?" and "this team is terrible they suc--wait what they are in the playoffs?"

And yet here we all stand, the bold and bright eleven, ready to raise our hand once more and give Mr. Smith and his Reaper the right proper finger. How, do you ask?

Many have elected to take the Ravens. A small smattering of solo Vikings and Saints and Redskins picks. The rest ride with Jacksonville and put their faith in the ferocious felines.

Jaguars for the win in Week 15? Previously unheard of. But the Swami, too, likes a good story ... and so the Factor will roll the Jaguar dice in Week 15, along with several others.

I know what you're thinking, those of you who have sadly departed: why didn't I take the blue pill?

That is all.

Thursday Taunt XIV

We near the end and we bid adieu to those who have breathed their final breaths: nine of our fellow brothers and sisters have fallen. There is but one undefeated remaining - the trusty veteran Mad Dog - but even he required a Packer comeback victory to survive Week 14. We said there would be losses, we said the Reaper was waiting ... and waiting he was, indeed. He waited in Bengal Land and he waited in Titan Territory, and he was not disappointed as nine felt the swipe of the scythe - but not him.

And so we enter Week 15 with just a handful of participants left, each step bringing us closer to the closing bell. Who will survive? How will it end? Only Truman knows for sure.

Week 15 Stats
159 participants
1 undefeated 
10 with one loss
9 week 14 losers
1 Swami entry remaining

So blow on those dice, wind up and let her rip. You dance with destiny awaits in Week 15.

That is all.

The Root of the Week XIV

"Why, Johnny Ringo ... you look like someone just walked over your grave."

The infamous red sashes are NOT part of the Cowboys uniform, which means I have no qualms about taking them for the official Swami Clan pick this week - except of course that doing so breaks two rules: (1) no road teams, and (2) no teams playing in their division. That, and the Giants have caused much mayhem this season with their very modest win total.

The masses have scattered to the four winds and it is certain not all will survive. Bengals, Titans, Bills, Cowboys, Packers, Chiefs, Steelers, and Chargers all have gotten run this week; not all of those teams will win. Root for your and against the rest, and come Monday perhaps we will have a few more Reaper-ed 

Still, despite trepidation, it is Week Fourteen - which means rules are made to broken and very little remains. The pickings are slim, indeed.

The Factor rides with the Cowboys this week.

"Well ... bye."

Friday Taunt XIII

The cream has really risen to the top, as they say. Thirteen is unlucky in many cultures and hotels across the world, but for our purposes Marino Week treated all participants quite kindly - the Reaper sat this one out and everyone moves merrily into Week 14.

Weekly Statistics
159 participants
2 undefeated
18 with one loss
139 deceased
0 week 13 losers

The Beloveds won, the Titans won, the Jaguars won, and the Chargers won. That's an amazing assortment of winner to move the masses along.

With four weeks left in the Regular Season and twenty remaining, it seems highly likely we will reach the playoffs yet again. Methinks, however, that we will lose some people this week - 'tis a tough one.

That is all.

The Root of Marino Week

Well, something's gotta give. The Beloveds have lost five straight and the Broncos have lost seven straight. Therefore, playing at home, it is quite clear that the Beloveds are the favorite. The Swami will put the last remaining Swami Clan entry (aka the Factor) on the Beloveds to win in Marino Week - as it should be.

Most of you are on the Chargers with a smattering on the Jaguars.

You know what terrifies me? Picking the Chargers for any reason. You know what else terrifies me? Picking against winless teams once they hit the 0-10 mark. Desperation and the Chargers do not make for great bedfellows. Good luck to you.

That is all.