I started prepping this before the n.f.l. playoffs 2023-2024 game was published, so there's a bit of overlap, but since we only have the n.f.l. payoffs once a year, I thought both would be fun to do. Thank you Novagunger for setting up the other game- and I encourage all to join both games. Please note, they are different games, but feel free to enjoy/play both. This ones a bit different, so either one (or both) may appeal to certain players. Hope you enjoy! . . . . . . . . . .
Each player will need to make 7 decisions (as shown in my next post) **note, I will not be playing, but my post will be an example. 1. Superbowl Champion (note, this should be either your nfc or afc Champion Pick) 2. nfc Champion 3. afc Champion 4. nfc path # (1-64) (this should correspond to your nfc champion) 5. afc path # (65-129) this should correspond to your afc champion) 6. A Team (one of the 12 teams in the playoffs not already selected Not ravens or 49ers) 7. A messy item and what to do with it.
Once you have selected and Superbowl Champion and nfc and afc champions (#1-3 above), in addition to selecting the champion, for #4 and #5 above, you will select the numbers that corresponds to the path/scenario to how that nfc and afc champion made the superbowl. See the attached afc and nfc pictures to see all possible scenarios. Please ensure your path numbers correspond to the correct nfc and afc champion. For example, if you think the Rams will be the nfc champion, there are 8 possible scenarios where this could happen as shown in the green columns: 21,23,37,39,50,54,60, or 64. You should select 1 path for the nfc champion and one path for the afc champion.
Your selections for #1-5 can be the same as other people.
The "Team" that you select should be one of the following 12 teams in the playoffs (eagles, buccaneers, rams, lions, packers, cowboys, browns, Texans, dolphins, chiefs, steelers, or bills). Please note, Ravens and 49ers are not available for picking as they have a bi the first week. Please also note that your "team" does not need to correspond to your superbowl/nfc/afc champions above. Your choice of a "team" does not have any impact on your success in the game. Instead it is just used as a way to select messes. If all 12 teams are selected, you are still encouraged to join the thread, but you do not need to select a team or messy item (#5 and #6 above). If any team does not have a messy item by Friday Midnight, I will select messy items for unpicked teams.
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How the game is played:
Week 1: During the wild card weekend, for both the afc and nfc 1 of 8 scenarios can play out. Assuming at least 1 person selects the correct scenario for both the nfc and afc- all players who guessed incorrectly will be "benched" and all players who guessed correctly will be "fielded". (Please note, most players will probably be "benched").
If no one guesses the correct scenario for both the afc and nfc, then the "fielded" player or players will be the player(s) who correctly guessed the most correct games out of the 6 wild card games. (i.e. if nobody gets all 6 correct; "fielded" players will be those who get 5 correct).
Everyone who is "benched" will need to take the 3 messy items that correspond to the 3 teams that one their conference. (i.e. if you chose an nfc team as your "team" and are benched, you would need to take the 3 messes that correspond to the 3 nfc teams that won the wild card).
Since the players who are benched in the wild card week guessed early losses, they will also be subject to be the "bracket loser". Their names will be placed on a wheel- which will be discussed later.
Week 2 During week 2, both the nfc and afc will have 2 games to determine which 2 teams go to the conference championship. By the end of week 2, there will be 4 total teams left (2 from afc 2 from nfc). Any fielded player (or players) who guessed all 4 surviving teams correctly will be "fielded" all other players, who were not previously "benched", will be placed in the "penalty box". Players in the penalty box will have to take the 4 messes corresponding to the 4 suriving teams (ravens will be a pie to the face; 49ers will be a bucket of water over head).
In a situation where none of the "fielded" players guessed all 4 teams; all players (even those previously benched) will be brought to the field. Any player who guessed 4 of the 4 survivors correctly will be fielded; and all others will be sent to the "penalty box". . If none guessed 4 correctly all those who had 3 of 4 will be fielded and others will be boxed (will also go to 2 or 1 if necessary). those in the penalty box will need to take the "penalty box" mess above.
Week 3 Week 3 will be 2 games- the afc and nfc championship. If any "fielded" player or player(s) correctly guesses both winners, those players will continue to be "fielded". The other players will need to take the mess corresponding to both the afc champion and the nfc champion.
In a situation where none of the fielded players picks both games correctly; once again all players will be brought to the field. If any player or players correctly picked both afc and nfc champion, those player(s) will be fielded and everyone else will be "eliminated". The eliminated players will need to take the mess corresponding to both the afc champion and the nfc champion. In a situation where nobody, across the board, picked both champions, any player who guessed at least 1 champion will be fielded; and everyone else will be eliminated.
Week 4- Super Bowl If any fielded player picks the correct superbowl winner, they will eligible to be the "Bracket Champion".
In a situation where there may be 1 "bracket champion" the week before the superbowl I will reach out to any such player and request (in private) their guess for a spread (how many points the team will win by); and total points scored. Whoever is closest to the spread will win. In the event of a tie, total points scored will be used as the tie breaker. If that is still tied, I will spin a wheel. Any fielded player who is not the champion will be a "superbowl loser".
In a situation where none of the fielded players pick the correct superbowl champion, Out of the fielded players, I will review the "path" they selected and award 1 point to each game guessed correctly, and an additional point for any "upset" (lower ranking team beating higher ranking team) guessed correctly. Total will determine winner. If still tied- a wheel will be used to decide. Any fielded player who is not the champion would be a "superbowl loser".
The "champion" will be able to pick any one of the "superbowl losers" as the "ultimate superbowl loser" and give that person a mess of the champion's chosing.
Additionally, those players who were added to the "wheel" in week 1 will be placed on a separate wheel which will be spun, and this will determine the "bracket loser". The champion may also pick a messy forfeit for the "bracket loser" to complete.
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Participants will be taken until midnight eastern standard time, on Friday.
Good luck, and have fun!
-I know this is a bit complicated so it bumps our run into along the way, as moderator, I can make minor adjustments as needed, for the flow of the game. May learn better for next year.
1. Superbowl Champion: 49ers 2. nfc Champion: 49ers 3. afc Champion: Ravens 4. nfc path # (1-64): Path 19 5. afc path # (65-129): Path 97 6. A Team: the Bengals (***note pick one of 12 teams in playoffs not 49ers/ravens- i picked the bengals here who are not in the playoffs just as an example) 7: Mayonaise Wedgie
**As moderator, I am not actually playing, but the above is an example of what you should submit to play.
1. Superbowl Champion: Browns 2. nfc Champion: Lions 3. afc Champion: Browns 4. nfc path # (1-64): Path 46 5. afc path # (65-129): Path 100 6. A Team: the Lions 7: Pies inside front and back of underwear