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NFL Challenge - 2002 |
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
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For the 2002 season, members voted in a playoff system. At the end of the regular season, the top four competitors move on to the playoffs to determine the season's champion. The playoff system was received with high regards and will be continued in future seasons. Zip Zalapski claimed the regular season title only to fall behind early in the playoffs and finished in 4th. Trailing the leaders by 1 game going into the Super Bowl, BZer Zielinski slid into a tie with a Super Bowl victory on Tampa Bay and claimed the championship with the Over, beating LL in the PVS by 1 point. An exciting end to a great season.
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Final Standings
Weekly Recaps
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Subject: Week 7 Recap back to top
Current Standings Week 7 saw players struggle to hold onto playoff spots, with others continuing to give chase. After dropping out of the playoffs last week, BZer threw up his 2nd best total of the season and cashed in on a Steel Curtain play last night to take the week outright. BZer jumps back into 2nd place, 4 games behind our leader Zippy. As predicted, the calm and cooler weather helped the BZer's East Coast Offense get off and running. BZer was calling the Home-Team audible all game long and it worked well for him. Zipper put up another solid week at 10-4 to maintain a 4 game cushion over the competition. LCSN's Sports Reporter Corner Our top notch analysts here at LCSN are always looking for the top "uncovered" stories of the club. Last week our analysts did a segment on Esta "Big Popp" and his disregard for the important points variance statistic. Our story was right on the money, just look at the results this week, Big Popp was bumped out of playoff contention specifically on the PVS (Points Variance Statistic). Tied for 4th at 6 back with Bubba 2-Team, Bubba continued to cling to the final playoff spot with an easy 78-45 PVS differential. Looks like BP took our article to heart, as he missed the total by just 1 point this week. Our Analysts have uncovered another gem of a story which may play out in the weeks to come. ADVERSITY is today's theme. Zip Zielinski has been sitting atop the leader board since week 1, and we feel should some competitors claw back within a game or two of the Zipper, that this seasoned veteran could falter and spiral right out of the playoff picture. After blowing a 1 game lead in the final week last year, we feel that any adversity could really affect the leader. On top of this, we're closely watching Zip's reaction this upcoming weekend after get roughed up by the Indians on Friday. Next week's topic: Bubba 2-Team: After clinging to the 4th playoff spot for a few weeks now, is it up or down from here? We have the answer How bout Bubba 2-team, hovering at or above 8 wins for 5 consecutive weeks, tying Zip and LL for this season's longest streak. Bubba seems to be confident and comfortable playing the PVS game. On another note, 48 hours after a press conference where he stated he would never throw in a teaser again, 2-team lived up to his name with a TB/GB teaser. With rumors continuing to fly about Ms. Woods's impending retirement announcement, she continues to quietly claw back into playoff contention. With 3 consecutive weeks above 8 wins under her belt, she sits just 1 game out of the playoffs. Had the Jets and Giants not faltered early in the season, Ms. Woods would be contending for 1st place right now, unfortunately it took a few weeks for Ms. Woods to re-learn Loser Club rule #11, section A, sub-section 2, roman numeral IV -- "thou shall not bet with your heart, but only for thy greenery" Luck Laru continues to impress, putting up his 5th consecutive week of 8 wins or better, sitting in 3rd at 5 back. Luck Laru and Ms. Woods had to be separated in the club Library after a heated discussion over the Dallas-Arizona game. What once was a relatively calm club has really seen the tention grow with the introduction of the playoff system. While being held back by Big Popp, LL yelled,"I will do everything in my powers to make sure you NEVER win a week!" MM continued to increase his world record of most consecutive weeks at 8 wins or less, now at 7. Just not sure what it is going to take to get this kid over the hump. The club has set-up a suggestion box in MM's name for any competitors who wish to offer MM a free play with some analysis. We're hoping for some generous plays from all of our club members. What happened to Roxie this week, at 4-10. Roxie dropped to 18 games back and really hurt his chances to make a run. Looks like this race has turned into a 6-(wo)man race, all fighting for 4 playoff spots. GL to all, picks on Friday. OUT -Zip
Current Standings Our LCSN In Focus Segment takes a first look at the "Triple Crown" Will it ever be accomplished? Claiming 1 major championship during the year is a great accomplishment, but will anyone ever hold all 3? 3 years into the history of the Loser's Club and we have only had 2 members holding 2 of the crowns at the same time. As we look at 2002, MM took the Spring Major Championship by claiming "The NCAA March Madness Competition". In the 2nd major of the year, Zip and Bubba squeaked by the defending champions to take the Summer Major Championship - "TankFest - Tournament of Champions". As the Fall Major Championship - "The NFL Challenge" is about halfway through the season, Zippy holds a small lead over Bubba 2-Team. With a victory by either, they would hold 2 titles, joining MM earlier this year (Madness '02 and TF '01) and Bubba (NFL '00 & NCAA '01). But MORE IMPORTANTLY, a victory by Bubba or Zippy would give them the opportunity to go into the record books by winning the NCAA pool and holding the ever prestigous triple Crown. We'll continue to report on this story as the year moves on. But with the competition in the Loser's Club, our analysts tend to believe that the hatrick will never be accomplished, although many members feel Bubba 2-team will be the first to do it. Unfortunately for Ms. Woods, the TankFest by-laws specifically state that no ladies are allowed, and therefore excludes Ms. Woods from the Triple Crown opportunity. To date, Ms. Woods has not filed any lawsuits of discrimination against the TankFest Group. Chairman of the TankFest Group is currently researching the addition of 1 final Major tournament, bringing the total to 4 MAJOR championships per year. Since Spring is taken, early Summer for TF, and NFL is clearly Fall, Chairman Zippy has begun to put together his proposal for a Winter Major Championship - entitled "The Poker Playoff". Details are unavailable, but we're in the early stages of determining player interest for adding a major late in January or early February. The additional tournament would give LC members the ability to trash talk year-round. On to the Recap..... We never would have predicted this one, Race (Week) #9 and this is the first ticket Roxie has cashed, c'mon. The Collector took the tie breaker last night, stealing a $5 spot from Zip, LL, and Bubz, while the year end pott goes up by $20. Not too much movement on the leader board this weekend. Despite forecast for a rough weekend of weather, the weather turned out fair, but the BZer still had troubles and dropped 3 games to 4 back of the leader. Must have been a bad week of practice do to the forecasts. Bubba continues his hot run with 7 consecutive weeks at 8 wins or above, moving into 2nd place, just 2 back of the lead. Bubba hit his NFL Lock of the Year with the Patriots this weekend. We should have loaded up on the Pats this weekend as Bubba made the call and Ms. Woods hopped into the Buffalo boat. The Pats seem like one of those teams Ms. Woods just can't seem to get right. Zippy regained his composure and was able to hit 4 outta 5 at the 4 oclockers to make it a respectable week and hold on to the lead. Luck Laru quietly put up a 10-spot to hang on to the final playoff spot, picking up a game on both Ms. Woods and Esta. Esta Big Pop continues to upset the betting public with his calls that all other bettors are "lucky". But let's take a quick look at the stats>>we all know hitting a big game when you're in the hole is hard enough, but now lets think about a parlay>>>>>hitting a big parlay when you're deep in the hole with the man is nearly impossible >>>now let's look at Big Pops stats this season on big parlay's when he is in the hole. LCSN statisticians came up with this interesting stat: through the football season, BP is a stellar 4-0 on 100x parlays when he is in the hole. Tough to argue with that stat, I think the Big Popper does have some luck with him. MM continued his struggles this season, now labeled "THE STREAK" (8 wins or less), continued into its 9th week. Our analysts predicted last week that Week 10 would be the streak stopper for MM, let's try not to let them down MM. Picks due on Friday. OUT
Subject: NFL Week 12 Recap back to top
Current Standings How bout Esta Big Pop following through on his statement that his heart was still in the game. Looks like our LCSN analysts might have woken the sleeping "Giant". Big Popper blew away the competition and won the week outright at 10-6, year end pott remains as $325. Esta has now caught Ms. Woods and now sits just 2 games back of a playoff spot. Bubba 2-Team continues to climb the charts and now owns sole possesion of 1st place, knocking the Zipper off easily with a Jets victory. Our LCSN analysts have been on fire this season, as noted last week, our "In Focus" segment looks at the Zipper, will he make the playoffs? After leading the league for 12 consecutive weeks, Zipper now finds himself looking up at Bubba, sitting in 2nd place with just a 5 game cushion on Esta and Ms. Woods for a playoff spot. The Zipper never has an easy time bringing home the championship, as noted by consecutive 2nd place finishes in major championships before being able to take home the trophy. In both the TankFest Tournament of Champions and The Annual ShuffleBoard Tourney, Zipper had to settle for the bridesmaid position for 2 consecutive years. Last year the Zipper could taste the NFL Football Challenge Championship with 1 week to go, but faultered and LL picked up 2 games to win outright. Our Prediction: with the implementation of the playoffs, Zipper has got too much experience to drop out of contention, but we will call for the Zipper to faulter early in the playoffs. Look for the Zipper to recover and have a strong week this weekend. In other action, Ms. Woods lost a game to LL and drops 2 back of the playoffs, the fued continues between Woods,LL and Esta, all currently fighting for the final playoff spot. Ms. Woods expects this weekend to be a turning point, as the Thanksgiving Week Massacre has historically not been good to LL and Esta. It also seems that Esta has tried the old Your-Hot-Jinx tactic with LL. After hitting for a few good weeks, Esta was back sipping martinis at the pool when LL walked in and Esta said," get me the sun-tan lotion, it just got a little hot in here" referring to LL's run of good weeks........... LL, just turned around and pointed to his hat, which read "U_ASS" As an update on the Poker Playoff, the committee has reviewed and visited a potential sight and is set to make a recommendation to the body. As turkey day is upon us, lets try and figure out a time when we might be ready to add a 4th major. Turkey day picks are due tomorrow. Rest of the picks on Friday, but don't make me chase you down. Happy Thanksgiving Zip Subject: Week 14 Recap back to top WE INTERUPT YOUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING TO BRING YOU THIS LATE BREAKING NEWS CONFERENCE............... Ms. Woods has entered the room and will address the crowd from the podium. "I've kept my mouth shut for the integrity of the club, but the time has come to speak out. I ask all of you an important question, how can a member not even put in picks and still be considered for a playoff spot???? WHERE IS THE INTEGRITY IN THAT??? This is a joke, no, no, no, in the words of you pudds, this is a JOKE-HOUSE!!!!!! You LC members call LL your champion, I call him a chump. When the tough gets going, he bails out and lets the commissioner make his picks for him. How bout the all important PVS, oh wait, lets let the commisioner pick his total. I want somebody's butt, and I want it NOW. I finally get my big week, win outright and pick up only 1 shanky game on LL cuz the fav-offense came in strong this week. I ask a 2nd question to the crowd, after pulling this stunt, will you people feel happy having LL represent one of the 4 exclusive playoff spots, or even worse represent the club as champion???? I'm calling for a minimum 2 game penalty to LL and to take it all the way, sanction him for a 1 year period without playoff eligibility. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your time, I must now get back to work, some people in this club ACTUALLY have to make their own picks" In a surprising on-line real-time LCSN poll, club members are split on who to side with...........
48.5%
Believe Ms. Woods has a point (please go to www.lcsn.com to cast your vote) Reporter: An emotional Ms. Woods has broken her silence, we'll continue to keep you posted on the situation as it develops, but as we've seen all season long, the jawing between LL and Ms. Woods seems to have reached its peak................ Now back to your regular programming "In Focus" LCSN Analyst: "Well, Ms Woods, thank you for your time, we wish you the best of luck on your quest to win a week and on your playoff run." Ms. Woods: "Thank you, I'm excited for a strong finish" In other action, Esta Big Pop struggled a bit and fell a game behind Ms. Woods and 2 games behind LL for the final playoff spot. We extend our congratulations to Ms Woods on her first trip to the collection window. In our 3rd and final race of the week, MM and Rock continue to do battle for last place and that all important 1st draft pick. 3 BIG weeks remaining, every pick counts now, OOOOUUUUUTTTTTTTTT!!!
Subject: Week 15 Recap back to top
Current Standings The East Coast offense may be peeking at just the right time. BZer Coat-tails hits for 11-5, winning the week outright and taking sole possession of first place. BZer has now hit for 11 games or more for 3 consecutive weeks, quite an impressive streak. Our leader Bubba 2-team faltered this week, at 9-7 Bubba dropped 1 back of the BZer and tied with the Zipper. That first place seed is like a hot potato, as nobody has been able to hold onto it the past 3 weeks. As the BZer, Bubz, and Zip have just about locked up playoff spots, it will be interesting to see if the 3 butt heads a little to try and take the $90 ticket or whether they remain fairly conservative and wait for a chance at the championship. Our 2nd race is the most intriguing, all the jawing going on between Ms. Woods, LL, and Esta makes it that much more exciting. With a solid pick on Jackie-sonville, Ms. Woods had "visions of playoff spots dancing in her head". But those thoughts were squashed Monday night as Luck Laru dropped the hammer on Tennessee to tie Woods for the week and remain in the playoffs with a slim 1 game lead. LL picked up another point and extended his PVS lead to 8 points. Esta Big Pop put himself in a tough spot this week as an 8-8 showing dropped him to 4 back of LL. We expect nothing less than a wide range of risk picks from Big Popp to try and climb back into contention. Since the BZer has been calling for so much press lately our analysts have gone into the archives and will be showing "In Focus - Classic" this week, giving BZer all the press he needs. Let us take you back, the year is 2000, BZer Coat-Tails has a 1 game lead over Bubba 2-Team with 3 weeks to go. Week 15, Bubba puts up a solid 13-2 record while the BZ hangs on at 12-3. All tied up in the inaugural NFL Challenge season. Week 16, the winter is upon us, you can feel the frigidness in the air, the East Coast offense stumbles mightily that Sunday going 6-8 while Bubz put up a respectable 8-7 record to take a 2 game lead into the final week. BZer CHOKES again and puts up a 9-6 record while Bubba cruises to a 12-3 record and the 2000 NFL Challenge Championship. What looked like a spectacular race turned into a runaway.................. Our regular "In Focus" Session looks at a disturbing trend we noticed while browsing through the archives for BZer's story. While we try to mix it around when it comes to the focuse our In Focus segment, but stories on MM just seem to keep popping up. The high draft position each year just does not seem to be helping MM's picking ability. In 2000, MM finished 2nd to last at 19 games back, in 2001 MM ended up 17 games back, while in 2002 MM sits 21 back. While we thought the dual QB situation (our analyst profiled this earlier in the year) was hurting MM this year, this trend seems to be a bit deeper and we wonder what changes MM will make for the 2003 season. For all those who are wondering, Esta holds the record, finishing 28 games back in 2001, a record that looks somewhat safe this year as MM is 21 games back with 2 weeks to go. GL to all competitors, picks on Friday, games on Sat-day and Sun-day this week....... OUT |