Wizard of Vegas Super Bowl Challenge 2012

1. Indicate winner and loser of 2012 Super Bowl by Private Message. For example, Packers over Steelers.
2. In the event after the Conference Championships more than one person is in contention I will ask those of you to submit a tie-breaking margin of victory prediction.
3. If nobody wins, anybody who got both teams, but the wrong winner, shall win the contest (this happened last time).
4. If nobody gets both teams right, in either order, then tough, nobody wins!

Quote: Wizard

In lieu of a prize for himself he asked that I make a donation to Gamblers Anonymous, which I did.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

I thought the prize last year WAS an autographed copy of Gambling 102. That's a hell of a gift for G.A.!

Quote: JohnnyQ

Mosca:

Hey very classy move. If I win ( and probably not likely, I need to bring
in doughnuts to work because my cubicle farm teammate's HS team
whupped my HS team in Football last night ) I'd like an authographed
book from the Wiz, and possibly a comp lunch somewhere :)

Quote: DorothyGale

The Panthers beating the Bills ... obviously ...

Quote: Ayecarumba

Thanks for hosting this again Wizard!

Quote: thecesspit

And slyther picked the same as me.

Quote: Nareed

I went with a long shot, Steelers over the Eagles. But what would be the longest shot, the two teams least likely to get to the Super Bowl?

I nominate Lions vs Browns.

Let's face it, the Browns are cursed. I don't believe in curses, but I can make an exception for the Browns. The gods, meaning Paul Brown, have decreed no team playing in cleveland and calling themselves the Browns will ever reach a Super Bowl. Never. The way they've muffed it at the plyoffs three times is epic. Two of those games have even been named: The Fumble and The Drive.

They may put a great team together, they may get the best head coach with the finest coaching staff, but they'll never make it to a game played in february. Didn't the Ravens have to possess the town of Baltimore in order to, finally, shake off the curse?

Quote: thecesspit

Yeah, cos what happened 20 years ago really matters to how a team will perform this year...

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The Fumble and The Drive relate to incidents in those games... not the games themselves.

Quote: Face

Browns may be cursed, but if ever someone could lift, their running back is it.

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Single handedly made me a quasi-fan of the Browns.

Quote: Nareed

I'ma big fan of the Browns, or supporter, at any rate. I love that my team plays them twice a year. That's like having a head start on the rest of the conference, except for the Ravens.

Quote: Nareed

It does when it keeps happening.

Ok. the Browns ceased to exist, moved to Baltimore and were re-born as the Ravens. The team now in Cleveland has nothing to do with any of that. They were founded in the 90s, as an expansion team, even if they inherited the history of the previous team.

But the curse doesn't care about details like that....

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There are lots of games wiht names. Some are named for something that took place through large parts or all fo the game, like the Ice Bowl, the Freezer Bowl or the Body Bag Game. Most, however, are named for one key play or set of plays, like The Drive, The Fumble, The Sea of Hands, The Immaculate Reception, The Catch, The Holy Roller, The Ghost to the Post (lots of Raiders games, come to think of it), The Catch II (SB LXIII), etc.

Quote: thecesspit

And the Lions still have the curse of Bobby Layne.

Quote: Face

I must ask, since I don't know any other Lions fans.... aren't you in any way pissed at them for what they did to Barry Sanders? Possibly the greatest RB of all time out of the league at 30 years old because management was stubborn... When I think of "The Lions", that's the overriding thought that always enters my mind. =(

Quote: thecesspit

Belief in a Curse in Football is like believing in the Tooth Fairy... it's a story made up so fans can feel happier with themselves.

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No. The GAME was not called "The Fumble". The PLAY was. Same with your examples. The Immaculate Reception was amazing, but it was ONE part of the game. It refers to an actual incident, not the whole game. But whatever...

Quote: Nareed

I said I don't believe in curse, but that for the Browns I am willing to make an exception. Night Train Layne is not responsible for the Lions' poor performance in recent decades, any more than the Paul Brown is for the Browns'. as far as I know he never even cursed the Browns.

Quote: Face

OK, just wanted an actual fan to weight in. By stubborn I meant that I had thought that he wanted out of Detroit but wasn't allowed by management. He basically chose not to play than to subject himself to any more f*ery. I, too, was enthralled by the man, and while RB's don't have the longevity of a punter, 30 is too damn young to give up on what was an epic run to immortality. At least I take solace in the fact that he won't suffer the fate of many long time running backs, and will be fit enough to play with his grandchildren.

Quote: thecesspit

I wasn't talking about Dick "The Night Train" Lane.

Quote: APDave

Even with just week 1 behind us, I think my Pats over Green Bay pick is looking strong. Brady had enough time to check his stock portfolio and facebook updates on his smartphone before throwing the ball. And well, Aaron Rodgers just looked unreal. Hopefully, their defenses don't end up overly suspect.

Quote: buzzpaff

Buffalo was not listed as this contest is only for Professional Football Teams.

Quote: Ayecarumba

Did all the entries get posted somewhere? Did anyone take Buffalo?

Quote: thecesspit

I thought I'd eliminate all the teams who are out to see where people are now (the number of people who picked the Chargers this year is interesting. And Norv Turner still has a job...).

Quote: mrjjj

Packers vs. Balt.

Ken

Quote: thecesspit

You are a bit late with that prediction, Ken. Do keep up, this was for predictions before the season began....