BTSC Survivor Pool Update: Avoiding the big upset

The Behind The Steel Curtain survivor pool finished up its fifth week with an overwhelming number of contestants once again all correctly choosing the same team. While technically we started with 592 entries, I have one entry in each league as the commissioner so there were 587 different contestants. Hundreds have entered, but only one can go home with the autographed David DeCastro football. Entering Week 5, there were 180 contestants still alive.

The most common selection for Week 5 was the Philadelphia Eagles taking down the New York Jets which dominated all six leagues as the choice for exactly half of all the remaining entries. The Eagles jumped out to an early lead with two first-quarter touchdowns on their way to a 31-6 victory. The second most popular choice was the New England Patriots traveling to Washington DC to take on the Redskins. One reason there were only 26 entries who chose New England was due to the large number of those remaining alive in the contest had previously used the Patriots. Although they fell behind 7-0 early, New England scored the next 33 points to secure the win 33-7.

The biggest reason for teams to be eliminated came from the Indianapolis Colts 19-13 upset of the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. Another upset which knocked out several teams was the Chicago Bears falling in London to the Oakland Raiders. On a positive note, only four contestants failed to make picks in time this week.

After five weeks, 22.0% of the total entries still remain mainly since 27.7% of those who entered Week 5 were eliminated. If you are still in the contest, make sure you enter your pick early so you don’t get knocked out due to a lack of selection. In fact, go do it right now if you are still alive!

As the season moves forward, it does become slightly easier to know what a team is supposedly capable of based on their body of work, but the choices become fewer as many contestants have already used the NFL’s top teams. With the Dolphins taking on the Redskins this week, the much-used Cowboys facing the Jets, and four teams being on bye, who will be the go-to team of choice?

Weekly Update:

Upcoming Week 6 Games of Note:

• Most heavily favored: New England (-16.5) at home vs the New York Giants
• Closest match up: Jacksonville (-1) at home vs New Orleans
• The Steelers match up: Pittsburgh (+6.5) on the road at the Los Angeles Chargers
• On Bye Week: Buffalo, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Oakland

(all lines are courtesy of oddshark.com as of 10/8)

So there you have it! Make sure you check back at Behind The Steel Curtain to stay updated on the contest. Even if you did not enter or have already been eliminated, feel free to check in and see how you would have fared each week.