Who knew that a team getting 14 points and getting out to a 14 point lead could turn a game into such a sweat...that last three minutes had me wearing a path from the pacing. All I had at stake was completing a 5-0 week in the Circa contest...it had a MUCH higher stake for three entries in the same contest though. Two were in the books after the Sunday slate at 17-3 for the quarterly bonus, but one was 16-2-1 with the Dolphins as their final pick. Quarterly prize is $143,750.00. First quarter was won by ONE entry. This one would either be chopped two ways OR, with a Dolphins win, again just a single entry getting the full nut. I really felt that the Dolphins were a safe play since they HAD looked better the past few weeks. Did not expect an outright win, but since the contest is picking against a spread that is announced on Thursdays, the 14 points seemed safe against a Steelers squad that is never going to be confused with an offensive juggernaut with the current QB situation (as well as injuries at other key positions). This was the first 5-0 week for me...did also have a 4-1 this quarter, but we had two weeks that did not go well. I've learned very quickly that I should have avoided taking on a partner even though it reduces my overall financial risk/liability. Next week starts a new quarter...where we have done the best was the weeks where the partner was not available to discuss picks but also the weeks where we were able to avoid some of the 'trendy' picks. Example this week was taking the Jaguars over the Jets despite giving 6.5 points. Only 212 of the entries had Jacksonville compared to 359 who took the Jets. Also had the Raiders getting 7 points, which saw 356 taking the Raiders (226 on the Texans). What makes the picking more of a challenge is that some of the lines are in the "crack is whack" category. It is hard to take someone like the Patriots giving 13 against the Browns (as an example) when the Browns have been Jeckyl and Hyde this year. The London games are another good example. Toss a lot of the analytics out the window and look instead at who got there the earliest. The teams that fly late when going to London seem to suck... But back to the 'phins...those last three minutes were just excruciating...Fitzpatrick tried so many different ways to give the ball up on the last possession. The wheels were coming off before the end of the first half and then they were completely off after that TD on 3rd and 20. It was worse than watching some of the Texas defensive showings... On the contest, it appears we are within 8.5 with nine weeks to go..million up top but also payouts for the top ten places in addition to the quarterly bonus money. Considering I have a 1-3-1 and a 1-4 stuck in the middle, I could potentially back-door something here...I just need to keep looking for the thin value games since that is where I will have to make up ground...and in the interim, may need to find a good cardiologist LOL!
