The 2012 ITB Suicide Contest Thread

[HPF Bob]

Our favorite game is back...no not NFL football but the annual ITB Suicide Contest. Don't know if Keith has any goodies left in the closet but maybe a t-shirt will be at stake.

For the uninitiated, the quick rules for the game are that you choose one game each week where you declare which team wins. If that team loses, you're out of the contest. If your team wins, you continue to the next week but you are forbidden from choosing that team again for the rest of the game, making each week a little harder because you'll have fewer good teams left to choose from.

Obviously, whichever game you choose, you have to call it before that game kicks off and you can't change your mind after the game you select has begun (i.e. don't call Tennessee and then change your selection to San Diego at halftime of the Tennessee game.)

Here's your Week 1 schedule: (all times Central)

Wed, Sept. 5th
Dallas at NY Giants (NBC, 7:30 pm)

Sun, Sept 9th
Atlanta at Kansas City (Fox, Noon)
Buffalo at NY Jets (CBS, Noon)
Indianapolis at Chicago (CBS, Noon)
Jacksonville at Minnesota (CBS, Noon)
Miami at Houston (CBS, Noon)
New England at Tennessee (CBS, Noon)
Philadelphia at Cleveland (Fox, Noon)
St. Louis at Detroit (Fox, Noon)
Washington at New Orleans (Fox, Noon)
Carolina at Tampa Bay (Fox, 3:25 pm)
San Francisco at Green Bay (Fox, 3:25 pm)
Seattle at Arizona (Fox, 3:25 pm)
Pittsburgh at Denver (NBC, 7:20 pm)

Mon, Sept 10th
Cincinnati at Baltimore (ESPN, 6:00 pm)
San Diego at Oakland (ESPN, 9:15 pm)

Remember, we can all see the time stamps so don't think about editing your pick after you've made it. Good luck to all.

[chuck]

Houston Texans

[HPF Bob]

I don't think I'll waste my jinx on week one. I'm going with the Chicago Bears.

[barrett]

Houston Texans

[popanot]

1. Houston Texans

[Warren]

Houston Texans

[WMH]

Houston Texans

[painekiller]

I wanted to make my pick yesterday, but there was no way I was going to be the 1st one to pick them. Thanks Chuck.

1) Texans

[Nconroe]

Got to be

1. Texans

[TheMatrix31]

I'll go with New England.

[HPF Bob]

I'll go with New England.

That's a relief. I was worried the Dolphins might upset the Texans and the contest would be over after one week!

[machoneil]

Houston Texans

[Keith]

1 - Houston Texans

...and yes, I should have an XL t-shirt to send to the winner.

[Arky]

Philadelphia Eagles

[TheMatrix31]

That's a relief. I was worried the Dolphins might upset the Texans and the contest would be over after one week!

Hahaha!

Well, if I end up winning this thing, I'm glad it's an XL. I think the last shirt Keith sent me was just a Large, and, well....I've gained weight since then.

[Foo'ball Fool]

I'll come out of the wood work again & pick the Houston Texans.

[Arky]

Philadelphia Eagles

Whew, too close for comfort! Eagles win 17-16 in last few minutes.....

[HPF Bob]

Everyone took an early game and everyone survived so we lost nobody which I think is a first for this contest in Week One.

To review:

Barrett, Chuck, Foo'ball Fool, Keith, Machoneil, NConroe, Painekiller, Popanot, Warren, and WMH all have Houston off their boards.

Arky can't select Philadelphia (not sure he'd want to).

HPFBob can't choose Chicago.

TheMatrix31 can't pick New England.

Since next week shapes up as a busy one, here is the Week Two schedule:

Thursday, Sept. 13
Chicago at Green Bay (7:30 pm, NFLN)

Sunday, Sept. 16
Arizona at New England (Noon, Fox)
Baltimore at Philadelphia (Noon, CBS)
Cleveland at Cincinnati (Noon, CBS)
Houston at Jacksonville (Noon, CBS)
Kansas City at Buffalo (Noon, CBS)
Minnesota at Indianapolis (Noon, Fox)
New Orleans at Carolina (Noon, Fox)
Oakland at Miami (Noon, CBS)
Tampa Bay at NY Giants (Noon, Fox)
Dallas at Seattle (3:05 pm, Fox)
Washington at St. Louis (3:05 pm, Fox)
NY Jets at Pittsburgh (3:25 pm, CBS)
Tennessee at San Diego (3:25 pm, CBS)
Detroit at San Francisco (7:20 pm, NBC)

Monday, Sept. 17
Denver at Atlanta (7:30 pm, ESPN)

Hmmmm. Not any simple choices this week. Good luck.

[painekiller]

Wow this is going to be a tough week to pick a team. :confused:

[HPF Bob]

Yeah, I'm almost tempted to pick Green Bay just because I can't imagine them starting the season 0-2 with both losses at home. But there may be one or two smarter plays out there. There just isn't anything that is obvious.

[painekiller]

Yeah, I'm almost tempted to pick Green Bay just because I can't imagine them starting the season 0-2 with both losses at home. But there may be one or two smarter plays out there. There just isn't anything that is obvious.

I was thinking that also and I was thinking about NO, no way they could start out 0-2 either, or could they?

[popanot]

1. Houston Texans
2. New England Patriots

[Arky]

Always try to pick a home team.

Excluding Griffin III and Luck, a rookie QB on the road is sensible to pick against (Weeden, Wilson, Tannehill, etc....) Having said that, I'm going with:

1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. Cincinnati Bengals

[HPF Bob]

Be careful picking teams for Week 2 that have yet to play in Week 1. :eek:

[Arky]

Be careful picking teams for Week 2 that have yet to play in Week 1. :eek:

Why? I like the Bengals to cover the spread (vs. Ravens) tonight, too. If they lose, just more incentive to win next week....

[chuck]

Be careful picking teams for Week 2 that have yet to play in Week 1. :eek:

Exactly. I find myself grateful that I can see four more teams tonight because after this last weekend I have a hard time knowing what I'm seeing.

[Arky]

Exactly. I find myself grateful that I can see four more teams tonight because after this last weekend I have a hard time knowing what I'm seeing.

This is not uncommon. :p

[Nconroe]

Knowing you don't know is usually better than not knowing you don't know.

[chuck]

Knowing you don't know is usually better than not knowing you don't know.

Quite so. I have discovered that the most dangerous sort of idiot by far is the idiot that has no idea he is an idiot.

[chuck]

I think I might have just responded to his sig file. That would be a new one, even for me.

[chuck]

I was sort of hoping to discover that the Ravens had dropped off a bit.

[Arky]

I used to have a boss that would watch me work. He would lean over my shoulder and point out things to me - usually pointing out how things could go terribly wrong. He had never done my job before. He didn't have the experience at my job that I had. Yet, he felt it was his civic duty to inform me of the always-impending-doom that could happen.

It's probably one of the main reasons I've been self-employed since age 52.....

[chuck]

I used to have a boss that would watch me work. He would lean over my shoulder and point out things to me - usually pointing out how things could go terribly wrong. He had never done my job before. He didn't have the experience at my job that I had. Yet, he felt it was his civic duty to inform me of the always-impending-doom that could happen.

It's probably one of the main reasons I've been self-employed since age 52.....

And me since the age of 32. That and the fact that no one would hire me.

[Nconroe]

I was sort of hoping to discover that the Ravens had dropped off a bit.
Yeah, its all those ex-Texans making Ravens look good, better than ever, atleast tonight.

[chuck]

Yeah, its all those ex-Texans making Ravens look good, better than ever, atleast tonight.

Good heavens they looked strong. And Denver's defense was a lot better than I'd remembered.

[HPF Bob]

I did think to myself "Geez, the Texans ran Jacoby Jones out of town for screwing up that punt in the playoffs while the Ravens looked at that and said to themselves 'We could use this guy'". :confused:

[HPF Bob]

I hate to burn it this early but I guess I'll have to:

Week 1. Chicago Bears
Week 2. New England Patriots

[painekiller]

2) Washington Redskins


1) Texans

[painekiller]

Quite so. I have discovered that the most dangerous sort of idiot by far is the idiot that has no idea he is an idiot.

This is so true

[Keith]

1 - Houston Texans
2 - New York Giants

...going against my philosophy here of picking the most obvious choice on the board. The AFC East is just so weak though. There ought to be later gimmes for the Pats.

[barrett]

Houston Texans

New England Patriots

[Nconroe]

Got to be

1. Texans

2. Cincinnati Bengals

[machoneil]

Houston Texans

Wk2 - New England Patriots

[Warren]

1. Houston Texans

2. New England Patriots

[WMH]

Houston Texans

New York Football Giants

[HPF Bob]

That's 10 out of 13 who have put in their picks for week 2. :D

[chuck]

Houston Texans

Cincinnati Bengals.

[Foo'ball Fool]

Week 1. Houston Texans
Week 2. Cincinnati Bengals

[HPF Bob]

Just so I can get this all on one page:

Arky: PHI, CIN
Barrett: HOU, NE
Chuck: HOU, CIN
Foo'ball: HOU, CIN
HPFBob: CHI, NE
Keith: HOU, NYG
Machoneil: HOU, NE
NConroe: HOU, CIN
Painekiller: HOU, WSH
Popanot: HOU, NE
TheMatrix31: NE, ???
Warren: HOU, NE
WMH: HOU, NYG

So, there's a little more diversity this week. Still waiting on Matrix31 to chime in.

[Nconroe]

There sure are a lot of surprizibg scores this weekend. Makes things interesting.

I mean who could have possibly picked Phoenix to be 2-0.

[HPF Bob]

Well, Week 2 sure thinned out the herd and if the Giants had not made a furious comeback, it would have been worse.

Barrett, HPFBob, Machoneil, Painekiller, Popanot and Warren are out.
The Matrix31 didn't make a selection but I suppose there's still time to pick the SNF or MNF game.

There could be only six survivors this week.

If my jinx beat the Patriots this year, that's not a bad way out.

[chuck]

Next week will be a tough one, too.

[WMH]

Wk 1 - Texans
Wk 2 - Giants (whew....)
Wk 3 - New Orleans Saints

[HPF Bob]

Busy night last night but with seven players out, we're now down to just six:

Arky: PHI, CIN
Chuck: HOU, CIN
Foo'ball: HOU, CIN
Keith: HOU, NYG
NConroe: HOU, CIN
WMH: HOU, NYG

Week 3 Schedules

Thur., Sept. 20
NY Giants at Carolina (7:20 pm, NFLN)

Sun., Sept. 23
Buffalo at Cleveland (Noon, CBS)
Cincinnati at Washington (Noon, CBS)
Detroit at Tennessee (Noon, Fox)
Jacksonville at Indianapolis (Noon, CBS)
Kansas City at New Orleans (Noon, CBS)
NY Jets at Miami (Noon, CBS)
San Francisco at Minnesota (Noon, Fox)
St. Louis at Chicago (Noon, Fox)
Tampa Bay at Dallas (Noon, Fox)
Atlanta at San Diego (3:05 pm, Fox)
Philadelphia at Arizona (3:05 pm, Fox)
Houston at Denver (3:25 pm, CBS)
Pittsburgh at Oakland (3:25 pm, CBS)
New England at Baltimore (7:20 pm, NBC)

Mon., Sept. 24
Green Bay at Seattle (7:30 pm, ESPN)

WMH has already jumped aboard the 0-2 Saints. Good luck to all.

[Nconroe]

Originally Posted by Nconroe
Got to be
1. Texans
2. Cincinnati Bengals

definitely seems lots of possible close games to pick from

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

[Keith]

Keith: HOU, NYG

3: New Orleans

[Foo'ball Fool]

Week 1. Houston Texans
Week 2. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 3. New Orleans Saints

[Arky]

1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. Cincinnati Bengals
3. San Francisco 49'ers

[HPF Bob]

Now, we just need to hear from Chuck (one of the few times I'll say that).

[chuck]

Week 1. Houston Texans
Week 2. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 3. Da Bearss

[barrett]

For week 3 I'll go with the...oh wait...

That's right. I couldn't even last until week 3.

[WMH]

For week 3 I'll go with the...oh wait...

That's right. I couldn't even last until week 3.

This is why we love the NFL.

Its also why I stopped gambling....... :rolleyes:

[painekiller]

For week 3 I'll go with the...oh wait...

That's right. I couldn't even last until week 3.

I'm in the same boat, I seem to go out in the 1st or 2nd week every year. Dang it.

That is why I do not bet.

[Arky]

Ya, what should happen and what actually ends up happening can be two different things (understatement alert).

If you can just pick winners straight up at a 2:1 ratio, that is very good. For example, on any given week, if you can pick correctly 10 or 11 of 16 games, that is very good. Anything less, not so hot. Picking spread winners is that much tougher.

New England (1-1) vs. Baltimore (1-1) - one of these teams is going to be 1-2 on Monday morning. Who'dve thunk it?

Cleveland, Tennessee, Jacksonville, KC, New Orleans and Oakland could be 0-3 on Monday morning. At least a couple of these teams aren't that bad..... but a slump can happen even at the start of a season.

I'm seeing several potential upsets this week.... Arizona (at home) could very well beat Philly, Seattle (at home) could beat Green Bay on MNF - wouldn't surprise me at all...

[chuck]

I think Seattle has a very real chance to win that game.

[painekiller]

I'm seeing several potential upsets this week.... Arizona (at home) could very well beat Philly, Seattle (at home) could beat Green Bay on MNF - wouldn't surprise me at all...

My father always said the dog at home on Monday Night Football was a good bet.

[Arky]

My father always said the dog at home on Monday Night Football was a good bet.

Yep. It used to be just about a lock until the books got wise to it. It doesn't hit at such a high rate anymore....

[painekiller]

Yep. It used to be just about a lock until the books got wise to it. It doesn't hit at such a high rate anymore....

Well he passed 16 years ago and I am not a gambler, so most of my exposure to picking teams against the line is very old indeed. :D

[WMH]

Wk 1 - Texans
Wk 2 - Giants (whew....)
Wk 3 - New Orleans Saints

Un-freaking believable.

[Nconroe]

If Steelers lose to Raiders then Chuck might win this in week 3.

Some very surprising scores already today.

[chuck]

I win the whole thing in week three, beeyatches. That will never be done again.

[Keith]

Srsly? Oh man.

Chuck, PM or email where you want me to send a shirt.

[painekiller]

I win the whole thing in week three, beeyatches. That will never be done again.

That is cool. I think that is the fastest this thing has been won yet.

Good job Chuck

[WMH]

Play again for kicks? I mean, we "only" have 14 weeks left......

[chuck]

Play again for kicks? I mean, we "only" have 14 weeks left......

I was thinking of doing this. If Bob's cool with it I'm in.

[Foo'ball Fool]

Congrats, Chuck.

[HPF Bob]

By far the quickest tournament we've ever had. If we can get at least 10 people to participate, I'll restart the competition with no prize, same rules. Chuck is allowed to participate.

We can do this two ways:

1) Everyone starts with a clean slate - no team in week 4 is off limits.
2) Everyone must use the same list they used during the last contest regardless whether that team won or lost. That provides a small boost to the participants who lost early. IOW, the contest started in Week 1 and everyone is given one mulligan.

Choose your weapons and we'll go from there.

[Arky]

By far the quickest tournament we've ever had. If we can get at least 10 people to participate, I'll restart the competition with no prize, same rules. Chuck is allowed to participate.

We can do this two ways:

1) Everyone starts with a clean slate - no team in week 4 is off limits.
2) Everyone must use the same list they used during the last contest regardless whether that team won or lost. That provides a small boost to the participants who lost early. IOW, the contest started in Week 1 and everyone is given one mulligan.

Choose your weapons and we'll go from there.

Congrats to Chuck.

Yes, let's do another round. Actually, sounds like you (Bob) are proposing that the original contestants are now allowed one loss - but no more? So, it's two strikes and you're out?

For example, I could post my next pick like this:

1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. Cincinnati Bengals
3. San Francisco 49'ers
4. Week 4 pick

Or maybe:

1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. Cincinnati Bengals
x3. San Francisco 49'ers
4. Week 4 pick

---------------------

i'm in a Yahoo survivor league and they allow 3 strikes and you're out. Incidentally, everyone now has a strike in that league - no one has made it unscathed so far.... Today wiped out the remaining "clean slates"....

[painekiller]

B
1) Everyone starts with a clean slate - no team in week 4 is off limits.


Choose your weapons and we'll go from there.

It will be easier to manage, IMO. With many of us out after week two, we never had to pick in week 3 thus we have a bigger slate of teams to pick from.

So start from scratch is my vote. And I am in.

[Nconroe]

I'm in, prefer everyone just start from scratch,

[HPF Bob]

Arky has accurately described my second proposal. It's an option, mind you, and it allows Chuck one free loss since he's the only one that didn't have one up to this point.

But we can do this either way.

[barrett]

Start from scratch. I'm ready to embarass myself again.

And I guess all glory to Chuck for picking 3 consecutive winners.

[Arky]

Bob, it looks like the consensus will be to just start from scratch - less complicated....

[Foo'ball Fool]

I like the idea of starting from scratch, too. The way this season's going, we may get to play 3 or 4 times!:rolleyes: Either way y'all wanta go, I'm in.

[HPF Bob]

I am opening up a new thread for the "redo" contest. All are welcome to enter, including those who didn't start in Week 1 .

For rules, go back to the OP of this thread.

To go to the new thread, click here and get started (http://www.inthebullseye.com/forums/showthread.php?p=31594#post31594).

You might not want to pass up the Thursday nighter this week.

Keith, let's close this thread so people can't post to the wrong one. Thanks.