The Root of the Week IV

In times of chaos it is good to reflect upon historical achievements to fuel one's successes in the moment. It was Week 10 of 2013 that featured one of the great Swami moments in the annals of this glorious pool: the selection of the winless (0-9) Jaguars to best a strong Titans squad of that time. Ninety-two participants, which represented most of the remaining field, selected the Titans to win.

The Swami went with the Jags.

It was a flying leap into an unknown abyss ... it just so happened the abyss was filled with the sounds of victory and happiness, and the Swami went on to finish Top Five in the pool that year while the 92 fell by the swipe the Reaper's titan-sized scythe.

In this time of chaos, when no one knows what will truly happen, when the Beloveds have a two-game lead in the AFC East and still celebrate with their '72 brethren, when the Reaper is so tired after all his work last weekend that he cannot possibly lift himself to work once more and perhaps has imposed a one-week hiatus, the Swami will return to historic achievement.

The Jags for the Clan, if you please.

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.

Early Root of the Week XVI

Last year, en route to his first Top Five finish in the Suicide Pool, the Swami took a flying leap, picking the 0-9 Jaguars of Jacksonville to beat the Titans of Tennessee. 92 participants were riding the Titans, who lost.

This year, en route to her own spectacular finish, the Spawn of Swami takes a flying leap of her own, picking the Jacksonville Jaguars to once again beat the Tennessee Titans. Will lightning strike twice? Can the Swami Spawn catch it in a bottle once again?

Find out in about fifteen minutes, when the game kicks off on Thursday Night Football.

That is all.

Friday Taunt X

Was it as good for you as it was for me?

In truth, there are so many avenues to take in commentating upon the massive, glorious destruction of Week 10, I am having a hard time knowing where to begin.

First, for those of you who have emailed me with pithy comments of your own, asking for major upsets to get this pool rolling . . . well, you got it.

The Reaper has been sitting on the sidelines all season, licking his wounds and licking his chops, and "X" certainly marked the spot: 86% of the pool lost this past weekend. It shall be noted in the record books as the single worst week in the history of the Suicide Pool, from a sheer percentage perspective. The Reaper, let's just say, is fat and happy and sidelined no longer. Other numbers of note: 80 participants took a loss, 70 were on the Titans, 54 were eliminated entirely, and 26 took their first loss.

Week 10 Stats
160 participants
121 deceased
80 week 10 losers
35 with one loss
4 undefeated

Which brings us to our second point this morning: the Mount Rushmore of 2013. There are only four undefeateds remaining, three Suicide veterans and a rookie. Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to Hollandia, Father Franz, The Lebanator, and the Holy Light, your four remaining undefeateds. There are 35 one-lossers joining them, which puts us at 39 total. Congrats to those who survived the brutality of Week 10.

Lastly, and most importantly, I refer back to the first line of this post. It was one of the most glorious weeks in general for yours truly, the Swami, given how much I enjoy chaos, but compounded by the thrill of victory whilst flying in the face of logic and reason. Special shout out to Ford Model P, who also flew close to the sun and did not get burned. The Jaguars are our new favorite team.

Good luck participants as we enter the home stretch. The noose tightens and the cream rises, and when the dust settles, will you be the one left standing?

That is all.

The Root of the Week X

It is often the case, in life and in football, when the expected path is the safest. This is why, for instance, we see pro football coaches punt the ball away time and again on 4th-and-inches; you rarely get overt criticism for taking the safe route. In Week Ten of the 2013 NFL Suicide Pool season, the safest bet is the Titans of Tennessee.

There comes a time, however, every so often in the life of a man, when another path must be taken. I am reminded of Frost, who took the road less traveled, which made all the difference. This is why, for instance, we see coaches like Sean Payton attempt onside kicks in the Superbowl---and win---or why each week we get a handful of anti-establishment participant selections---in hopes of the heavy scythe. This week, Week the Tenth of 2013, the New York Football Giants represent the anti-establishment pick.

But there is another poem, far less well known, written in parody and satire of Frost, with wisdom in spades which it carries as follows:

"Two roads diverge in a frosty wood,

And I, who know them not of my design,

Reject them both to forge a new one;

Not one to travel once traveled-by ways,

The path I travel is mine: the true one."

The Swami is not one to travel once traveled-by ways. The Swami always follows his own design. His path is always the true one. Which is why, in this Tenth Week of the Year Two Thousand Thirteen, he will take neither of two roads presented, and instead take a massive flying leap from the heights of the tallest of all cliffs.

There is sparkling water below, but whether Swami clears the jagged rocks that lie waiting to splash down in that sweet blue splendor is as yet undetermined, and the Reaper likes his odds. Still, it cannot be helped. The path ahead is clear.

The Swami picks the Jacksonville Jaguars to win in Week 10.

That is all.