The NFL Superbowl Thread! Back Again With Big Prizes*

(usual gang-member reserving a spot...)

I'm in.

dropping off a snack to hold my spot on the sofa

I'm always rather poor at this game, but remain interested in food scenarios.

In honor of the Dys, whom I don't remember as being ever concerned about football of any sort, I bring you a link for Frito Pie -

this was a big hit at the fair the last couple of years

tempted to try it, but haven't

I have steadfastly refused for several years now.

I want to try. Really. But chili and cheese inside a bag of Fritos ... I'm not ready.

On my first visit in Abq, while I was going to house sit for Dys and Diane when they went to Europe and I considered the city as a place to live, the first place we went was the 66 diner.

Now, I traveled 66 several times as a kid, so I was saying yeah?, but also glad to see D & D and sit down and eat.

Dys ordered Frito Pie (how can I guess why? he liked it, or he was ribbing me, the food snot, or both).

I forget what I ordered, mediocre. Not that I don't like the place. I like it for the style and the wait staff, many over time friendly but never obnoxious, senses of humor. Food pretty much sucks, milking cheap.

Starting to think of chicken wings.

I'm in. Undoubtedly I'll not do well. For some reason I predict 49-ers to go all the way (at this moment). See what I mean? I should be like the mainstream crowd and predict Packers to go all the way. Such is my mavericky nature.

I'm in.

I am still waiting to see if the Bears get one of the wild card spots.

I'm in.

So we are going to start with the four wild card games to be played on Saturday, Jan 7th and Sunday the 8th. The deadline for all 4 picks is around 4:30 ET on Saturday.
Please also include guesses as to the final scores.
I'll go over the rules for how this is all going to work once I remember what they are.

Sat 1/7-
4:30: Cincinnati Bengals (9-7 for the season) @ Houston Texans (10-6)
8:00: Detroit Lions (10-6) @ New Orleans Saints (13-3)

Sun 1/8-
1:00: Atlanta Falcons (10-6) @ NY Giants (9-7)
4:30: Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) @ Denver Broncos (8-8)

Include the final scores, please.

from what i could tell (didn't read the whole thing), last year we did not include final scores for the wildcat(sic) round...

FWIW, I think the addition of the scores adds a positive wrinkle. What about you guys?

The final scores is new. I haven't come up yet with an idea for what I am going to do with that extra data. And I did ponder whether asking for that might be too time consuming for players.
In the past, a correct pick in the wildcard games earned 1 point, with 3 points in the next round, 5 in the next and 6 points in the Superbowl.
I can see a problem with players having a bracket broken and losing interest in following along for the conclusion of the game. That happens in the fantasy games when a player fails to make the playoffs. Offering some points for being closest to the final score might remedy that.
I am open to suggestions on all of the scoring rules to try to give each round its proper balance.

On another note, last year we had some 28 players or so, most of them from our year long pick-um game. I would like to get that up this year by emphasizing that knowledge of football is not at all required. To that end, I invite anyone with even a smidgeon of interest to post short snippets of wisdom (or trash talk).

Sat 1/7-
4:30: Cincinnati Bengals (9-7 for the season) @ Houston Texans (10-6) HOU, 17 - 7
8:00: Detroit Lions (10-6) @ New Orleans Saints (13-3) NO, 17 - 7

Sun 1/8-
1:00: Atlanta Falcons (10-6) @ NY Giants (9-7) NYG, 17 - 7
4:30: Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) @ Denver Broncos (8-8) PITT, 17 - 7

That's right, folks, there's only one possible scoring combo. And remember - I suck at this!

Cincinnati Bengals (21-20)
New Orleans Saints (38-17)

Atlanta Falcons (24-6)
Pittsburgh Steelers (20-13)

Texans 23 - 20
Saints 36 - 17
Giants 32 - 20
Steelers 38 - 10