Friday Taunt III

For many years now I have been using this image, the scythe-wielding Grim Reaper. It comes out once per year after a week of dramatic destruction. The Reaper has most often made his appearance in Week Five; patterns developed over the first four weeks are ransacked in the fifth, and the Reaper reaps the benefit.

The Reaper has never before appeared in Week Three -- and has never before presided over a week with as much devastation as Week Three of 2018. Quite simply, the results were breathtaking.

First, the Vikings, also known as the biggest upset in NFL history. A "project" rookie QB surrounded by medium talent on the road against the roster considered by many to be the most complete in the entire league. Seventeen point favorites ... who were down by several more points than that by the end of the first quarter. The Vikings were BOAT-RACED. They took 92 participants with them -- by itself, this one loss would've been enough to enter the Top Three of Worst Weeks Ever.

But then came the Jaguars and Patriots. The Jaguars? An inexplicable loss. The Patriots? Not quite as inexplicable given they were playing a team with inside info, but still: the Lions? Really, Tom?

Grand total: 125 participant losses in one week. We have only 11 undefeated teams left and it's only Week Four. The Reaper has already swept 63 participants under the blade of his scythe, twice. It's a brutal, brutal year.

Week Three Stats
11 undefeated
86 with one loss
125 week three losers
63 deceased

That is all.

Friday Taunt V

The Reaper has landed. The Curse of Week Five strikes again. Like the ninth episode in a season of Game of Thrones, the Swami Pool has seen incredible consistency in the death and devastation that rains down upon participants in each year's fifth week.

Last season was the only season since 2010 that has not brought widespread loss in Week Five; 2017 shows us the exception proves the rule as we are right back to it.

The Steelers were the primary culprits -- Big Ben's ticking clock expired, taking 47 souls right along with him. Throw the Raiders, Cowboys, Lions, Giants, Texans, and Bears (oh my) in there and you have a waterloo ... er, watershed week.

Week Five Stats

159 participants

24 undefeated at 5-0, including yours truly

74 with one loss at 4-1

64 week five losers

61 deceased

This season is absolutely ridiculous. Two weeks with two "lock picks", essential coin flips for who to choose, and both weeks one side of the coin lost their game: Falcons last week, Steelers this week. The Steelers, as it happens, are responsible for more losses thus far this season than any other team.

Lucky for the Swami, both coin flips happened to work out just fine. Hence why I reside in the Land of 24, crystal ball in tow. Here's hoping I remain there along with my 23 fellows into the long future.

Onward to Week Six.

That is all.

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.