Stuffed Survivalists,
BFIG could end any week now. Our ninth season is in the balance.
Will it end because too many got cute by holding the Pats too long? Will it end because too many believed 0-16 was a Brownsy inevitability?
Will it end because Aaron Rodgers decides to come in at halftime of this week's Green Bay-Pittsburgh game, throw for five touchdowns while doing 17 Discount Double Checks and screaming into the postgame media gaggle "GO AHEAD AND FINE ME, ROGER!!!" (because NFL rules don't allow him to return yet)?
Just let Commish dream, OK? IT'S ALL I HAVE THIS SEASON.
WEEK 12 PICKS AND FAST FACTS
Your group pages show you picks for just that group
Your friends' BFIG picks >>
Your friends' Second Chance picks >>
Your friends' BRANDO!!! picks >>
FAST FACTS:
- We had three huge favorites this week (Patriots, Steelers, and Eagles), who are among the league's best teams and also playing at home.
- So we have a classic "Did you save any?" scenario, as well as a, "are you REALLY gonna keep saving them?" follow-up question for the ones who did.
- Only five BFIG survivors had Pittsburgh left. Four took them (exception: @The_GMsFiancee
- On the other end of the spectrum, a *bunch* of people who still have the Pats elected to hang on to them despite being 16-point favorites against the Cutlers at home.
- Another key question: "Do you have the team playing the Browns available?"
- Nearly 75 percent of those with Cincinnati left in BFIG took the Bengals. Commish would love to know if the ones who didn't actually believe in the Browns, or want to "save" a sub-.500 team for later in the year.
- 28 teams are in play again in BRANDO!!! Commish really does love you.
- Once again, does anyone know Brando? Seriously. Can we make this our collective mission? Say it with me now...
- GET HIM IN THE POOL!!!
WEEK 12 AWARDS
"You've Got Moxie, Kid" Award
No comment (WTF, @chadr07?!), but Commish has to call out the man who picked A) a divisional game, B) on the road, C) against an above-.500 opponent, with $50K on the line. Yes, the Vikings look like one of the NFL's best teams, but that still takes some Moxie. (His other pick? The sub-.500 Bengals. Yeah, Browns, but still.)
Commish Communication Award
@bkurtz24 (Patriots, Raiders): "Do I plan for this thing to go all 17 weeks? Do I roll with Thanksgiving Day teams knowing that my family will be nearby to console me in the event of a bed-shitting home performance by the Skins and/or Cowboys? Can I even rely on my family to love me? BFIG has me feeling existential AF."
Commish says: What is life, bkurtz? Amirite? AMIRITE?!?
Definitely Not Concussed Award
@Swami_Sez (Bengals, Falcons): "I blacked out after week 5 and I don't know how I got here..."
Commish says: Wait a minute...
MORE PICK COMMENTS
Commish asked the 39 left in BFIG to up their comment game. They brought it. These are all comments from people still in the race for the Title Belt.
@Dovidskaist (Chiefs, Bengals): "My pregnant wife almost gave birth last week watching the end of the giant game. I’m not telling her who I picked this week it needs to stay in her for a little while longer. May the browns suck forever. "
Commish says: Are you naming the baby BFIG? ARE YOU?!
@codered707 (Chiefs, Bengals): "Goooooddddamnnnnn Commish! You called it, Eli doing the most Eli shit of all time and eliminating 80% of the remaining contenders. Maybe that rule needs to be moved up a few ranks on the list! You asked and I shall deliver: If I win this contest I will be printing "You can't spell ELIminate without ELI" t-shirts, which of course I'll be sending your way. 39 people left including myself, and I can't believe I'm sitting here putting my fate in the hands of Andy "chokes every goddamn time" Dalton. My hands are shaking and I'm skipping meals and sleep to calculate odds. Is this what it's like to be at the top? Is this the BFIG high?"
Commish says: I think "Is this the BFIG high?" tshirts have a MUCH higher ceiling. Can we brainstorm some of those next week? Who goes on the front? Deshone Kizer? The Caldwell Choo Choo? BORTLEMANIA!!!?
@ghos0004 (Falcons, Ravens): "Well, I've never commented before, but I have also never made it this far. BFIG is by far the most stressful thing I do all week. My hair is getting grayer by the week and now it all rides on Baltimore and Atlanta. Ugh!"
Commish says: Welcome to the email, @ghos!!
@judigregry (Falcons, Steelers): "My heart rate is still elevated from Sunday's Saints game. Coulda, shoulda, woulda....that game was probably one of the best games I've ever watched, or at least in hind-sight it is. I think all those who survived that game last week deserve a bye week....however, I'm guessing that's not in the "rules". This week I've decided to pick against the Bays, TB & GB. I always love picking against the division rival Bucs, but as a former Bruin and Brett Hundley fan it pains me (and you) to pick against GB; however, I'm hopeful that their growing pains continue a little longer."
Commish says: (takes giant breath) ... (lets out massive sigh) ... Judi, picking against the Hundley Packers is kind of like a bye week.
@patbrown08 (Seahawks, Steelers): "Can’t believe I’m still standing. I’ve tried to make my picks according to the BFIG rules, and they’ve served me well. This week I’m breaking two rules in one pick. A road team and a divisional game. What makes it worse is that I’m a Seahawks fan. I wouldn’t say I’m superstitious, but I am a little stitious. Well,it’s been a good ride, but honestly it has gone from fun to stressful (the Commish asking making a direct plea for comments doesn’t help). So line up the BLLs and carve the turkeys. This may be my last week in the pool, but we shall feast like kings in the hall of the survivor gods and go down in a blaze of glory. "
Commish says: I feel like that should be an every week rallying cry: Line up the BLLs and carve the turkeys!!!
@psb5034 (Seahawks, Ravens): "Commish!, I made it to week twelve of BFIG with a cumulative total research time of maybe 20 minutes and a total comment time of zero........ So why did I just spend the last hour studying this weeks lines and the NFL schedule for the next two weeks? Why am I trying to fix something that was not broken? Is this the kiss of death for me? Have I just figuratively placed myself on the cover of SI? Why am I making it worse by commenting? So many questions. Why would I even consider taking the Redskins when ELI!!! will be in the stadium? Is there a limit on lifetime use of question marks?? The Ravens are at home and in primetime. My ill advised research says the Harbaugh is 11-1 in that situation. Take it to the BANK$. I can't pick against the Browns this week, but there is always the neener niners. The Seahawks will pull out this road game. I can't always follow the rules. Picking a road game, divisional contest winner vs ELI!! involvement....PRICELESS "
Commish says: There is a limit! Only exclamations points and Eli Face emojis for you from now on. Yeah. The Eli Face emoji. The world is waiting for you to make it. Tread strongly, young Elihopper.
@iwm321 (Bengals, Seahawks): "I hate this god damn pool, I don’t want to root for the f***in Bengals"
Commish says: Ladies and gentlemen, one of your final 39 BFIG survivors!!!
@evansfinger (Bengals, Falcons): "I don't trust the Bengals, but I've made it this far by fading the Browns, so not going to stop now."
Commish says: I want to know where you all draw the line. Browns at Niners? Niners at Browns? Peterman Bills at the Browns?
@Ericadeverian (Falcons, Steelers): "Feel safe on this pick, unless Favre comes back out of retirement, again"
Commish says: IS IT POSSIBLE?!?
@TheGMs_Fiancee (Redskins, Ravens): "Commish, I know I talk a lot of shit about how I'm going to win this (and don't get me wrong I am), but it's the first time that I can actually *taste* victory and the belt. It's also made me realize, $50K AFTER taxes could easily fund me and TheGM's Wedding and Honeymoon. I now weep knowing that reality is nothing more than a far out dream. I hope 2nd place (but the actual $ winner) knows that they owe me one hell of a wedding gift!"
Commish says: 1) It's true. Since we aren't some DraftKings amateur hour, anyone living with The GM and I can't win any money. 2) If @TheGMs_Fiancee actually takes home the Title Belt, it'll alternately be the most painful and most hilarious event in BFIG's history. 3) BRANDO!!! comments coming in this week's update email. Good luck, everyone!