BonesCPA

Week 15 (Barring injuries) - Every year the end of the season rolls around and there is the standard line used by most fans: “We would have been a contender, if the quarterback/running back/special teams coach hadn’t been injured.” As a fan, I have seen my rooting interest falter after a late season (or early season in some cases) injury. Injuries happen. And even though it may ruin your chances to win big, it is a part of sports. What I would like to ban is the feel good story about the player working through his nagging turf toe injury. This isn’t a “they make so much money, they shouldn’t complain rant”. I don’t begrudge any player’s salary - I’ve seen football players when they are 50, it isn’t a pretty sight. What I am ranting about is the minor dings that a player gets, yet it causes them to be “probable” for the game. Heck, I bumped my finger in September. It still hurts at times, and I’m still typing. I don’t tell them at the office that I am probable for Thursday’s meeting with a strained pinky - although I probably won’t be able to drink tea (or play on passing downs). Take off the dress, Millie. This is football. Now go pick some winners.

TFP Football Pool rules:

1. Pick one team from each game to win the game. If they win, you get one point. Ties count as a loss. The most points win. (Points spreads are not included, so therefore they do not matter. “Just win, Baby” - Al Davis)

2. After all games are picked, give a point total for the total points scored in the Monday night football game. This is used as a tie breaker. The closest, without going over will break the tie. If all tied go over, the closest wins.

3. Have your picks in before the first kickoff. The thread will be closed at some point after midnight EST the night before the first game. (Thank you Spectre.) Don't be late - PM's after the thread is closed will not count. (Effective 12/1/04) If you are under a temporary suspension of TFP user benefits (banned), emails with your picks will not be accepted. If you get your picks in before bannation, they count.

For convenience purposes please only list the winning team name. You should copy and delete from the schedule provided. PLEASE KEEP THE GAMES/TEAMS IN THE ORDER THEY ARE LISTED BELOW! Thank you, and good luck.

*Note on the upcoming “TFP Playoffs”* The format of the TFP Football Playoffs will be the same as last year, with the top 16 players eligible to participate. It will be a seeded tournament (1 vs 16, etc.) with a single elimination. Specifics on the picks will be available once the playoffs start. If there is a tie between players at a given spot, a specific week (picked at random - trust me) will be eliminated. This process will be repeated until the seeds are determined. If a player has missed a week, that week will not be eligible to be eliminated. If a player declines the opportunity, the next player in line will be eligible to compete.

Week #15
Team (2004 record, 2004 road/home record)

Saturday December 18, 2004
Pittsburgh (12-1, 5-1 road)
NY Giants (5-8, 2-4 home)

Washington (4-9, 2-4 road)
San Francisco (2-11, 1-5 home)

Carolina (6-7, 3-3 road)
Atlanta (10-3, 6-1 home)

Sunday December 19, 2004
Buffalo (7-6, 2-4 road)
Cincinnati (6-7, 4-2 home)

Denver (8-5, 3-3 road)
Kansas City (5-8, 2-4 home)

Minnesota (7-6, 2-4 road)
Detroit (5-8, 2-4 home)

Seattle (7-6, 4-3 road)
NY Jets (9-4, 5-1 home)

Dallas (5-8, 2-4 road)
Philadelphia (12-1, 6-0 home)

Houston (5-8, 2-4 road)
Chicago (5-8, 2-4 home)

New Orleans (5-8, 3-3 road)
Tampa Bay (5-8, 4-2 home)

San Diego (10-3, 4-2 road)
Cleveland (3-10, 3-4 home)

St. Louis (6-7, 2-5 road)
Arizona (4-9, 3-3 home)

Jacksonville (7-6, 3-3 road)
Green Bay (8-5, 4-3 home)

Tennessee (4-9, 3-4 road)
Oakland (4-9, 2-4 home)

Baltimore (8-5, 3-3 road)
Indianapolis (10-3, 5-1 home)

Monday December 20, 2004
New England (12-1, 5-1 road)
Miami (2-11, 1-5 home)

This weeks prize: a crying towel. At the end of this week your team will most likely either be eliminated from playoff contention, or facing an impossible task to reach the Super Bowl. It’s time to be a man (or woman) and just break down and cry. This towel will help wipe away the tears.

__________________
Back into hibernation.