The bottlenecks at the top of three of the four AFC divisions certainly will make for an exciting second half of the season.
Heading into Week 10, three of the four teams in the AFC East, AFC North and AFC West were tied for the division lead in wins, a rare occurrence this deep into the season.
However, the race for the Golden Nerf can do that one better.
For the first time past the halfway point of any season in this 13-year-long contest, we have a Four-way tie for first place.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond, “Fantasy” at Luxor lead vocalist Lorena Peril and comedy hypnotist Marc Savard, who performs at Planet Hollywood, are all knotted at 15-11-1 against the spread.
It’s turned into an intercontinental battle, as Mayor Goodman made her selections from London this week. That’s a long way to go just to make sure the other competitors don’t look over her shoulder when she makes her choices, but hey, this is the Golden Nerf we’re talking about.
Here in the states, the other members of this content leading quartet talked about their rise to the top, and their plans to win it all.
“It’s pretty exciting to be in a four-way tie for the lead for the Nerf Trophy! I’m a Canadian kid who follows hockey religiously, so picking winners in the NFL has forced me to use unconventional techniques,” explains Savard. “I am anxious for this season to be over because of the level of security at NFL stadiums has increased along with the expense of flying into NFL team cities to hypnotize coaches and players has become very taxing. I’m exhausted.”
That explains how the Bengals are currently the No. 1 seed in the AFC. I knew there had to be something going on there. Anyway, Savard says he’s ready to take a simpler route in the second half of the season.
“Come to think of it, it might actually be easier to hypnotize Lorena, Donny and the mayor to pick the Colts and Dolphins every week from here on out,” he said.
Peril is having an amazing year, and not just in football picks. She got married this year, and has seen her beloved 49ers become a force in the NFC.
“GOOOOOO Niners. We are back baby! I was born and raised in San Francisco and I have always been a diehard fan. My dad took me to every single game,” Peril said. “My earliest memories were of them losing horribly until Bill Walsh took over and employed his West Coast offense. The rest is history.
“Now as an adult, I still love the 49ers and have to thank them for my success in this year’s race for the Golden Nerf. My husband, Ray Jon, has been a great help in picking the other teams. I honestly didn’t think I would be doing as well as I am and the Golden Nerf has made this season all the more exciting.”
Donny Osmond was in the running early last year but faded and takes his selections seriously.
“I did so poorly in my predictions last year that I have to redeem myself. I want that Nerf football so badly,” he said.
Eight weeks remain. And sure, it’s just a ceremonial trophy, but it’s more exciting than the NFC West race, isn’t it?
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The media/celebrity picks:
Anthony Crivello, star of Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular (11-13-3)
Bengals +3 vs. Steelers
Chiefs -3 vs. Broncos
Falcons +1 vs. Saints
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Carrot Top, Luxor headliner (11-15-1)
Texans -3 at Buccaneers
Steelers -3 at Bengals
Browns -2½ vs. Rams
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Terry Fator, Mirage headliner (11-15-1)
Cowboys -5½ vs. Bills
Steelers -3 at Bengals
Giants +3½ at 49ers
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Carolyn Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas (15-11-1)
Falcons +1 vs. Saints
Lions +3 at Bears
Packers -13½ vs. Vikings
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Oscar Goodman, Las Vegas ambassador (11-16)
Chiefs -3 vs. Broncos
Bills +5½ at Cowboys
Eagles -14 vs. Cardinals
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Kevin Janison, KVBC meteorologist (9-16-2)
Chiefs -3 vs. Broncos
Giants +3½ at 49ers
Colts-Jaguars under 38
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Wayne Newton, "Mr. Las Vegas" (8-18-1)
Redskins +3 ½ at Dolphins
Cardinals +14 at Eagles
Browns -2 ½ vs. Rams
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Donny Osmond, Flamingo Las Vegas headliner (15-11-1)
Steelers -3 at Bengals
Ravens -7 at Seahawks
Packers -13½ vs. Vikings
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Lorena Peril, Vocalist, Fantasy at Luxor (15-11-1)
Bills +5½ at Cowboys
49ers-Giants under 42½
Chiefs -3 vs. Broncos
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Tara Palsha, principal dancer, Vegas! The Show at V Theater (13-13-1)
Steelers -3 at Bengals
Cowboys -5½ vs. Bills
Packers -13½ vs. Vikings
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Marc Savard, Comedy Hypnotist, V Theater at Planet Hollywood (15-11-1)
Steelers -3 at Bengals
Browns -2½ vs. Rams
Texans -3 at Buccaneers