Weekend Taunt XII

No changes in the Thanksgiving Week, a week of giving thanks, indeed. The Reaper spent time with family and the participants got through with their souls intact. No losses in the Twelfth Week means sh

Marino Week arrives ... and the Reaper returns. Beware.

That is all.

Weekend Taunt XI

Twelve more souls depart. One soul remains unscathed. Take a bow, G-Pa 02 ... now everyone left is gunning for you.

Week Eleven Stats
159 participants
1 participant at 11-0
17 participants at 10-1
141 participants deceased
12 slapping their foreheads after Week 11

The cream has risen. From this top 12%, who will ascend even higher?

That is all.

The Fiery Taunt of the Root of the RIP Week

And so the Swami returns to the land of the living, having come through smoke and fire and flame . . . 

. . . only to be ousted from the Swami Pool by virtue of wing-clipped birds shot down by (one night not) impotent cowpokes . . .

. . . along with fifty other fellows who thought the Eagles, Jets, Falcons, etc, would ensure Week Ten survival.

'Twas not to be, however - only a few got through unscathed and so now we look at a much more manageable field: three unbeatens only and two dozen more.

Week Nine/Ten Stats
159 participants
3 undefeated at 10-0
24 with one loss at 9-1
132 deceased

Side bets on whether this topsy turvy season will reach the playoffs will be taken. 

The Swami is dead. Long live the Swami.

That is all.

Saturday Taunt VIII

Like sands through the hourglass, so go the days of our lives. Like wheat at the blade of a scythe, so fall the stalks of the field. Like souls through the middle weeks of this season ... everyone prevails.

Apparently, the Reaper so dramatically hard those first three weeks, it's not a vacation, it's a sabbatical. No one lost in Week Eight - not one loser, not the one.

159 participants
10 players at 8-0
64 players at 7-1

87 deceased

Reminder: Week Nine is the last week you can select a team and still reuse them in the playoffs. Please make sure you brush up on the Playoff Rules because this becomes important at least every other year.

That is all.

Saturday Taunt VII

Well, that was close. Far too close. Like Bart says, the Swami will not do the Dirty Bird anymore this season, thank you kindly Atlanta. 

We move into the middle rounds of the season where our inexorable climb continues. A few people fall from the side of the cliff, the rest watch them fall and then look for the next hand-hold. After three crazy weeks to start the year, in which more honor, virtue, and life was lost than a Littlefinger establishment in Westeros, we have settled in and start to gravitate back towards the norms.

Weekend Stats
159 participants
10 undefeated at 7-0
64 with one loss at 6-1
87 deceased

The great game rolls merrily onward. Who will sit upon the Swami throne at season's end?

That is all.

Saturday Taunt VI

The Reaper continues his vacationing ways as only three souls drop this weekend past -- and deservedly so, betting against the Beloveds. Woe be to those who would diminish the greatness and glory of the Beloved Fish.

Onward we merrily roll into Week Seven with 81 participants still in the fold.

That is all.

Thursday Taunt V

He was so busy, so very busy those first three weeks, it seems the Reaper has gone on vacation. Seven losses total in Week Four and six losses total in Week Five; yes, our dear Reaper is no doubt sitting on a beach, sipping a Mai Tai, enjoying a little hard earned rest.

159 participants
11 players at 5-0
73 players at 4-1

6 players bearing the Swami Hex

76 deceased

It is clearly time to return, however -- the Swami Hex ensures there are several participants will meet the scythe coming very soon.

The Swami Hex, for those unfamiliar, falls upon the heads of those participants bold enough to pick against the Swami's Beloved team, the Miami Dolphins. For Week Five, there were several who picked against the Beloveds ... and now the Swami Hex has you, and off to Reaperland you will assuredly shortly go.

The beaches were lovely and the surf was divine, dear friend, but back to work you must now go. Beware, beware, and especially Bonanza, Festivus Monarchus, D-White, Ughhh Sand, and That Guy. The Swami Hex is yours.

That is all.

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 I

Good lord, you should see what comes up when one googles 'Fallen Saint'. I thought it fitting, of course, given the fallen Saints accounted for over 50 losses on this past first weekend of football. For those counting at home, with the Lions loss and the Steelers tie (loss), that's more than 1/3 of the pool felt the first swipe of the scythe.

The initial update is later than usual; lots of new names and faces to prep. We are holding at 159 entries, a solid number, and just enough to whet the appetite for the long season ahead -- at least, long for some of us. Some of us will certainly feel the uno dos, adios call on Sunday next.

Weekend Statistics
159 participants
97 undefeated at 1-0
67 with one loss
no deceased

The Ravens were popular, although why there were not MORESO is beyond me. Against Nathan Peterman. Still, the Swami and Clan move forth unscathed on the back of Poe's team - and the rocket arm of Flickety Flacco.

Onward we merrily roll to Week Two, when you would be best not to meet the Reaper this week.

That is all.

The End of the Regular Season XVII

We are not to the finish line just yet. We have, however, read a pausing place of sorts - the end of the Regular Season for the NFL 2017. Once again, the Swami Pool has reached the end with participants remaining: nine, to be exact.

The kicker? All nine teams have one loss.

Week Seventeen saw the last remaining unbeaten fall at the hands of the Redskin-killers, those mangy Giants, who also knocked a pair of participants out. We bid adieu to Wench and the Holland Girls - it was an awesome run.

Nine remain, including one Swami entry. The finish line is in view. Good luck to us all.

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.

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.

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.

Wednesday Taunt XII

To those who participated, congratulations. To those who have departed, we salute you. To those who remain, we welcome you to the Top 20.

We lost a pair of Sinics and a couple of Dogs, as well as one Monarch, to drop our numbers by five; we reside at the 20 spot as we enter the Week of Marino.

Week 12 Stats

159 participants

2 undefeated

18 with one loss

139 deceased

Marino Week is always an excellent source of excellent as the cream truly begins to rise to the top. There is little time left, just five weeks until the playoffs - we will make it there? It is looking more and more likely, but in this crazy season of 2017, who knows for sure. The Reaper, so aggressive and unchecked early in the year, has quieted of late, so perhaps we will see the end of the regular season once again.

Onward we merrily roll into luck number thirteen.

That is all.

The Root of the Thanksgiving Taunt XI/XII

We are thankful for so many things on this fine Thanksgiving Holiday, the gift of life, the gift of freedom, the gift of living and breathing in this most excellent nation of ours. Of course, we had another gift given to all but two of us at some point over the past eleven weeks. Yes, my friends, it is . . . 

The Gift of Disappointment.

Only two participants can claim the ranks of the undefeated, Pigskin Fever and the Mad Dog's firstborn. We have only a quarter's worth of participants left -- twenty five for those keeping score at home.

The Chiefs did their dastardly disappearing act for the second time this season and the Reaper was there to lop off the unlucky heads. Eighteen went down to defeat for the second and final time, plus five previously unbeaten.

Week Eleven Stats

159 participants

2 undefeated

23 with one loss

134 deceased

There are three games on the docket today - maybe some takers, but I doubt much in the way of action on these three. Still, the Swami will lay down the pick for our clan's lone remaining living entry: the Factor carries the torch for us all. The Steelers it is in Week Twelve - if they win, we advance. If they lose, at least Packer Nation can celebrate a win again.

A Happy Thanksgiving to all and may this week's play bring enjoyment, not disappointment, to you all.

That is all.

Friday Taunt X

When the Browns went up 10-0 on the Lions this past weekend, a few poor souls texted me in a state of mini-panic. The Lions and Rams accounted for 95% of picks this weekend and a Cleveland win would've meant utter chaos and heavy devastation.

I was quite calm. It's Cleveland, I reminded them. Just take a deep breath and say the magic words: "Because Cleveland." Before long, all was right with the world again ... except in the Dawg-Pound, which has to live with this year-in and year-out.

Still, winless teams become dangerous as the season wears thin - at some point, a win is coming, and the athletes get more desperate the deeper we get into winter. So while Cleveland is still a very enticing opponent, be very wary when you choose to bet against them now. This has been a special message from the Swami.

Week 10 Stats

159 participants

7 undefeated at 10-0

36 with one loss at 9-1

0 week nine losers

116 defeated

Yes, no one lost. That's why this group is still around. #winners

That is all.

xx

Wednesday Taunt IX

For those of you who still remain, forty-four to be exact, your exit nears as exits are wont to do as seasons come and go. We shed ten more souls this weekend following Seahawk-ian destruction, with a smattering of others.

Week Nine Stats

159 participants

7 undefeated at 9-0

36 with one loss at 8-1

12 week nine losers

116 defeated

We have now reached the double digit mark; for those unschooled, double digits means the playoff rule goes into effect. Any team previously selected (weeks 1-9) can be reused if we must go into the NFL playoffs to find our champion; any team selected from here on out is a one-and-done and cannot be reused down the road.

Onward we go to Week Ten. For all those who near the end of their road, the exit is coming up on the right.

That is all.

Saturday Taunt VIII

The old yin and yang of the NFL season, once again proving that the coin has two sides. Chaos and destruction rained down upon the participants in the first few weeks, but now the scythe has gone quite calm. In point of fact, there were NO losers in Week Eight.

The Bengals, Saints, Vikings, and a couple others came through to carry everyone to victory, and to a fun conversation about Week Nine - which looms.

We will see if the update carries with it any news in days to come.

That is all.

Friday Taunt VII

Phew.

At last a week with limited chaos, at last a brief respite from the craziness of this NFL season. In fact most damage this week was done by participant neglect - not getting picks in properly. The default pick system worked to no one's favor.

Week Seven Stats

159 participants

8 undefeated, including two Swami Clan members

46 with one loss

105 deceased

For those remaining, not a bad idea at this point to review your picks on the spreadsheet, for two reasons: (1) make sure what you sent me matches up with what is on the sheet, and (2) to remember correctly what picks you have made.

Reminder also that Week Nine is the last week of our playoff rules repick, not that this ridiculous season is likely to get to the playoffs. Good times.

That is all.