It was fun for a week to not have the field halved. But alas, four becomes two.
Chunk51 went with a seemingly safe pick — the Patriots at home against the Chargers. Final score: Chargers 41, Patriots 17. It was New England's worst home loss in ... quite some time.
Meanwhile, Zach Baker chimed in at the last minute with a Jacksonville over Denver prognostication. The Broncos' 20-7 triumph over Jacksonville included two touchdowns. By an offensive tackle.
I don't think the NFL likes having all these participants in the game. But the league got its wish, and we're down to two.
Chelsea Lou. Joel Hammond.
Chelsea made it safely by picking the Ravens to beat the Jets, given New York's injury woes. And the Gang Green hung around until the 4th quarter when Baltimore put them away with a Jamal Lewis touchdown to win 13-3.
Meanwhile, Joel picked an even closer game, Tampa over Detroit, although the odds were heavily leaned towards the Bucs. They eeked out a controversial 17-13 won over the Lions, and one call the other way could have made Chelsea the victor.
So on with our final two pickers.
If both finalists are wrong, they will pick again the next week. (It's kind of like the National Spelling Bee.)
Here's how our finalists stand:
Both finalists have used the Bucs (4-0) and the Colts (4-0).
Chelsea has used the Eagles (3-1) and the Ravens (1-2).
Joel has used the Steelers (2-1) and the Bengals (4-0).
Here's this week's slate of games (unpickables are italicized):
1:00 p.m.: Patriots (2-2) at Falcons (3-1)
1:00 p.m.: Dolphins (2-1) at Bills (1-3)
1:00 p.m.: Bears (1-2) at Browns (1-2)
1:00 p.m.: Ravens (1-2) at Lions (1-2)
1:00 p.m.: Saints (2-2) at Packers (0-4)
1:00 p.m.: Seahawks (2-2) at Rams (2-2)
1:00 p.m.: Buccaneers (4-0) at Jets (1-3)
1:00 p.m.: Titans (1-3) at Texans (1-3)
4:05 p.m.: Colts (4-0) at 49ers (1-3)
4:15 p.m.: Eagles (3-1) at Cowboys (2-2)
4:15 p.m.: Redskins (3-0) at Broncos (3-1)
4:15 p.m.: Panthers (2-2) at Cardinals (1-3)
8:30 p.m.: Bengals (4-0) at Jaguars (2-2)
MNF: Steelers (2-1) at Chargers (2-2)
Bye week: Raiders (1-3), Vikings (1-3), Giants (3-1), Chiefs (2-2)
Article comments
1 - Joel Hammond
I e-mailed Matt, but I'll post here anyway: Shit, actually, I think I looked at the wrong week.
This week, I'll take Carolina over Arizona.
2 - Bob A. Booey
The easy picks are the Bucs and Colts, but neither of you can pick them.
So I'd go with Carolina, as Joel did. Smart pick that probably keeps him alive at least one more week.
The Broncos at home are also a decent pick since the Redskins don't look like a 3-0 offense, although that tough run defense may give Mike Anderson and the Broncos running backs some problem.
The Dolphins are better than expected and have that good defense vs. a very lost JP Losman and the Bills offense, so they might be worth a look.
The Titans over the Texans might also be worth a look as well. The Titans aren't a good team this year, but the Texans look pretty horrible. Come to think of it, this might be the best pick of the three I just mentioned, but it's hard to rely on the Titans.
Chelsea's so going to win, probably in Week 6. And when she does, do I get credit as an unspoken consiglieri?
That is all.
3 - Chelsea Snyder
What the hell, I'll go Denver over Washington. And there you have it, I have spoken.
4 - RJ
So...once the chick wins, do we get to start all over? :)
5 - Matthew T. Sussman
Winner keeps picking until they're out.
6 - chunk51
cardinals, chelsea win.
redskins are the worst 3 - 0 team in the history of the league.
7 - Joel
Bunch of haters!
8 - Bennett
IF Chelsea boots one, do we start over?
(or Joel, as the case may be)
;-]
9 - Matthew T. Sussman
No starting over. This is it.
10 - chunk51
i really need to stop making predictions. and the redskins are much better than i gave them credit for. congrats. gl next week!
11 - Bennett
Joel and Chelsea are still alive!
So we go another week. Great picks you two. Congrats and all for being head and shoulders above the rest.
The Pats/Falcons game was great. That young stand in QB for Vick is one hot guy. Based on this game, he should go free agent ASAP. Hands down better than 7% of the starting QBs in the NFL.
12 - Bennett
Heh, sticky "5" key. Should have read
"Hands down better than 75% of the starting QBs in the NFL."
13 - Chelsea Lou
I'm not above a death match, here. Just have me and Joel fight to the death.
I was president of a sorority. I'm a double major in college. I am marrying Sussman. And I WORK RETAIL. I have plenty of pent up rage.
14 - chunk51
that 7% comment could be considered a freudian stick.
15 - Joel
Holy shit...Sussman's getting married?
16 - Chelsea Snyder
Behind on the news, Joel?
17 - Bennett
Heh, "freudian stick" was all good.
So when's this joyous affair scheduled to take place?
18 - Chelsea Snyder
We're holding off until Sussman gets electrolysis on all his body hair, or I finish college. I'm guessing I'll graduate first, but we're shooting for sometime in either late 2006 or 2007.
And Joel, since you're behind on the news, ummm, you lost. Last week. Game's over, I win. Sorry.
19 - Joel
I'll take Chargers over Raiders.
20 - Chelsea Snyder
I'm going to go with Atlanta over 'Gnawlins.
21 - Chelsea Snyder
Even though Sussman's a tard and told me he was going to have me and Joel tell him our picks individually, and I told him I picked Chargers over Raiders and he freaking FORGOT what I picked. SO then Joel picked the same team and the same game, and it's just lame if we both pick the same team to win. So I'm being the NICE SPORT THAT I AM and choosing a different game.
Remember this. I AM NICE.
22 - Joel
Sorry CHelsea, I didn't know he wanted that to happen....I can change?
23 - Chelsea Snyder
Don't worry about it, Joel. I'll stick with Atlanta. If New Orleans somehow stages an upset and San Diego wins, I'll just take it out on Suss. No harm, no foul.