Our contests provide an entertaining way to watch NFL games by using members' predictions. Participation is open to all active free and premium members. Integrity is paramount, and cheating is strictly prohibited. These rules are in place to create a competitive yet friendly environment for everyone involved.
You must submit your score predictions at least 24 hours ahead of game time.
In case of ties at the point that playoff berths are being decided, the NSPL version of NFL tie breaker rules comes into effect, first considering games with divisional wins, then games with conference wins, etc.
All participants are expected to treat each other with respect. Be mindful of your fellow participants and show them sportsmanship. Inappropriate conduct during competitions will not be accepted and could lead to fines or elimination from the competition. In the spirit of sportsmanship, although the commissioner, Hope Maruzo, and the founder, Gerry Shultz, are picking scores and playing the game, they will withdraw their placement if they should they earn their way to the playoff berths and the next person in the rankings will move forward to the playoffs.
Every week, participants in the Head-to-Head Showdown compete against one another. Your season rating is determined by your weekly victories. To succeed, engage in regular competition to raise your ranking. If there is a tie when playoff berths are being determined, the NSPL version of NFL tie-breaking rules is put into effect, first considering divisional wins, then conference wins, etc.
You will be pitting your score prediction each week against one scheduled opponent. This matchup is shown with your Head to Head Prediction on the Make Your Score Picks page following the NFL model. If your assigned team is on a bye week then so are you.
If no pick is submitted, then the game will be judged by NSPL as having been a forfeit.
If both picks are identical, each player will receive half a win.
Matchups and wins are determined in this order:
A) Being the only one of the two opponents who predicted the exact score
EXAMPLE: Richard’s score pick is Detroit Lions 30 – Chicago Bears 21.
The final score of the game is Detroit Lions 30 – Chicago Bears 21.
Richard wins, no matter how his opponent picked.
B) Being the only one of the two opponents who picked correctly straight up
EXAMPLE: Lee picks New Orleans Saints 23 – Jacksonville Jaguars 27.
John picks New Orleans Saints 14 – Jacksonville Jaguars 17.
The New Orleans Saints win. Lee wins.
C) Being the only one of the two opponents who picked correctly vs. spread
EXAMPLE: The line for this head to head game is:
Sunday, 9/8 1:00 PM ET Cincinnati -7.5 Patriots 43.5
The spread is 7.5. Joe picks Cincinnati Bengals 28 – New England Patriots 20. He is over the spread.
Rachel picks Cincinnati Bengals 27 – New England Patriots 24. She is under the spread. Joe needs the Cincinnati Bengals to win by 8 or more; otherwise, Rachel wins.
The final score is Cincinnati Bengals 20 – New England Patriots 30. Rachel wins because she picked Cincinnati under the spread and a win by the Patriots is under the spread.
D) Better prediction of the margin of victory based on a midpoint of the spread in the two opponents’ score predictions
EXAMPLE: Sunday, December 31 4:05 PM Seattle -3.5 Steelers 41.5
Both players are picking the same team to win and are on the same side of the spread since both players have predicted the underdog, the Steelers, will win.
The midpoint is determined by adding the spread each player has and dividing it by 2 (since there are two players).
Chase picked Seattle 20 - Steelers 23, so he has a spread of 3.
Filice picked Seattle 20 – Steelers 22, so she has a spread of 2.
3+2/2=2.5, which is the midpoint.
Chase needs the Steelers to win by 3 or more; otherwise, Filice wins.
The final score is Seattle 13 – Steelers 20. Chase wins.
E) Being the only one of the two opponents who picked correctly against the over/under for the game
EXAMPLE: The line for this head to head game is:
Sunday, 9/8 1:00 PM ET Indianapolis -2 Texans 40.5
Wendy’s score prediction is Indianapolis 20 – Texans 17. Her points equal 37, which is less than the total points of 40.5 in the line. She has the under.
Tom’s score pick is Indianapolis 30 – Texans 13. His points equal 43, which is more than the total points of 40.5 in the line.
The final score is Indianapolis 21 – Texans 18. The total points equal 39, which is less than the total points of 40.5 in the line. Wendy wins.
F) Better prediction of the total points for the game based on a midpoint of the total points in the two opponents’ score predictions (similar to the example above in D, but using total points instead of spread)
EXAMPLE: The line for this head to head game is:
Sunday, 9/8 1:00 PM ET Vikings -6 New York Giants 40.5
Both players are picking the same team (Vikings) to win and are on the same side of the spread (less than 6) and are on the same side of the over/under.
The midpoint is determined by adding the total points each player has and dividing it by 2 (since there are two players).
Peter picks Vikings 14 – New York Giants 13. He has 27 total points, which is under the over/under of 40.5.
Mark picks Peter picks Vikings 14 – New York Giants 10. He has 24 total points, which is under the over/under of 40.5.
27+24/2=25.5. 25.5 is the midpoint.
Peter needs the total points scored in the game to be 26 or more; otherwise, Mark wins.
The final score is Vikings 17 – New York Giants 10. That’s 27 total points. Peter wins.
If the game ends in a tie, then each opponent will receive half a win.
