“Better than ever?” you ask. “Isn’t this only year number two?”
Well ... true.
But this year, after a costly and time-consuming market research study (OK, a few heated e-mails), we here in Pickerland have decided to give you what you really want — or at least offer up some actual prizes to the winners.
This year, not only do you get a chance to beat me (the ESPN-addicted, fantasy-football playing, SI-subscribing, Pigskin Picker himself), and brag to your friends, you’ll get a chance to win a weekly prize worth almost 20 bucks and sometimes more.
“How can it get any better than that?” you ask.
Well, I’ll tell you. The winner’s name will be permanently inscribed on the Master Pickerland Spreadsheet.
And, get this, the person with the most wins over the beloved 16-game NFL season will win the Big Piggy — or grand prize.
“Hey, wait a minute,” you say. “There are 17 weeks in the beloved NFL season. What gives?”
OK, you caught me. But since the season begins tonight — Randy Moss and the revamped Oakland Raiders travel to New England to face the champs — I figured I’d give you all a bye week so you have time to strategize.
I’ll be giving you my picks for week one, and you can play along at home. Just pick the winner of each game on the schedule for the week. If you pick more games right than I do, you win. If there is a tie, the winner’s name will be drawn from a hat. Homer News employees and families can play and get their names in the paper, but are not eligible for a prize.
But, remember, starting with week two, it’s on for real.
So, until then, your job is to get your ducks in a row and try to beat me. If you want, e-mail your picks for week one, and I’ll get your name in the paper if you win.
My job will be finding a second job so I can pay for the Big Piggy.
E-mail all picks to sports@homernews.com or drop them off at Homer News headquarters at 3482 Landings St. (across the street from Homer Brewing Co.)
For official rules e-mail me at ben.stuart@homernews.com and I’ll make something up.
Here’s my picks for week one. Good luck.
New England over Oakland, Washington over Chicago, Cincinnati over Cleveland, Denver over Miami, Houston over Buffalo, Carolina over San Antonio (?) Saints, Kansas City over NY Jets, Seattle over Jacksonville, Minnesota over Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh over Tennessee, Arizona over NY Giants, San Diego over Dallas, Green Bay over Detroit, St. Louis over San Francisco, Indianapolis over Baltimore, Atlanta over Philadelphia,
Got suggestions for weekly or Big Piggy prizes? E-mail me at ben.stuart@homernews.com.
Don’t worry, I got ideas, but I’m willing to listen.
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