This week scientists found existence of a planet in our galaxy capable of supporting life. Are we getting closer to answering the question, “Are we alone?”
Who really cares.
I just want to know if randomness is smarter than Peter King.
As we usually do, we ask our random number generator (RNG) to makes its picks for the week’s NFL games. We then compare these picks to the so-called experts. To make things even more lively, I include my cat, Jesus Quintana, in on the picks, along with Doug Lee and myself (Doc Bear is too smart for this). The RNG is simply armed with the notion that, 57% of the time, the home team is a winner in the NFL. Quintana picks between two quarters as I drop them to the floor. Doug Lee uses his superior intellect.
I use Kahlua and a proprietary mathematical formula. If that doesn’t work, I just stare at the sun until the pick comes to me.
So how has the RNG done?
| EXPERT | Wins | Total | Percentage | EXPERT | Wins | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Cole | 33 | 48 | 68.75% | Yahoo Users | 29 | 48 | 60.42% |
| Chris Mortensen | 32 | 48 | 66.67% | ESPN Pigskin Pick ‘Em | 28 | 48 | 58.33% |
| TJ “The Dude” Johnson | 31 | 48 | 64.58% | Merril Hoge | 28 | 48 | 58.33% |
| Les Carpenter | 30 | 48 | 62.50% | Doug Lee | 26 | 48 | 54.17% |
| Mark Schlereth | 30 | 48 | 62.50% | Mike Golic | 26 | 48 | 54.17% |
| RNG | 30 | 48 | 62.50% | Pete Prisco | 26 | 48 | 54.17% |
| Ron Jaworski | 27 | 44 | 61.36% | Adam Schefter | 25 | 48 | 52.08% |
| Accuscore | 29 | 48 | 60.42% | Eric Allen | 25 | 48 | 52.08% |
| Michael Silver | 29 | 48 | 60.42% | Jesus Quintana | 21 | 48 | 43.75% |
| Peter King | 29 | 48 | 60.42% | Raiders Fans | 1 | 48 | 2.08% |
The RNG has, thus far, beaten down the ample ego of Peter King and renowned Broncos critic Pete Prisco. It’s also bested tens of thousands of Yahoo and ESPN users. It’s even done better than Accuscore’s powerful game simulators, while at the same time flat-out crushing Eric Allen and Adam Schefter.
Who knows how long this can last, but right now, randomness rules.
The cat has been a huge dog, I’ll be honest. If he doesn’t pick it up, he’s going to be replaced. But it could always be worse. He could be a Raiders fan.
And, Peter King, don’t think I haven’t noticed. I have a two-game lead on you.
Here are week four’s picks:
| WEEK 3 | Random Number Generator | Jesus Quintana | TJ “The Dude” Johnson | Doug Lee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISTOR | HOME | Pick | Pick | Team | Team |
| SF | ATL | SF | ATL | ATL | ATL |
| NYJ | BUF | BUF | NYJ | NYJ | NYJ |
| CIN | CLE | CLE | CLE | CIN | CIN |
| DET | GB | DET | DET | GB | GB |
| DEN | TEN | TEN | DEN | DEN | DEN |
| SEA | STL | SEA | STL | STL | SEA |
| CAR | NO | CAR | CAR | NO | NO |
| BAL | PIT | BAL | PIT | BAL | PIT |
| HOU | OAK | HOU | HOU | HOU | HOU |
| IND | JAX | JAX | JAX | IND | IND |
| WAS | PHI | WAS | PHI | WAS | PHI |
| ARI | SD | SD | ARI | SD | SD |
| CHI | NYG | CHI | NYG | NYG | NYG |
| NE | MIA | MIA | NE | MIA | NE |
You’ll notice that Doug Lee and I like Denver this week. We tried picking the Colts last week in order to engineer a reverse jinx, but the universe wasn’t assisting. This week, it’s as simple as knowing that the Broncos can throw on the Titans all day due to injuries in the secondary.
Jesus Quintana’s Upset Specials
Quintana knows he’s got a lot of ground to recover. The only way he’s going to do it is by putting himself out there—way out there. Use it to your advantage. Do the exact opposite.
His most insane picks this weekend are:
1) Cleveland over Cincinnati. Quintana is a huge Peyton Hillis fan. Besides, the Browns can’t start 0-4, can they?
2) Detroit over Green Bay. The record of the Lions on the road is horrific (0 for infinity), but Quintana says even infinity can’t handle Ndamukong Suh without a double team. Plus, he still thinks Barry Sanders is toting the rock for the Lions.
3) Carolina over New Orleans. This one is simple. Quintana has Steve Smith on his fantasy team and needs points real bad.
Feel free to thrown in your own upset special or take on the Broncos-Titans game. If an RNG can beat these experts, so can you.
