That was quick.
Year 28 of the “I Beat Burt” contest was definitely different.
While there were those top tier teams — Chiefs, Lions and Bills — that started what they finished, entering 2024 as true Super Bowl candidates and still in the same position as the playoffs begin this weekend, the rest of lot was as unpredictable as ever.
In looking back over the 18 weeks (17 games per team), I was never able to figure out the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons.
And the rest of the middlers were a tough group to pick.
Man, it was tough.
Your New England Patriots? Not so tough. In fact, they were one of the easiest to pick … against.
I appreciate the following and interest. Each year we seem to pick up 25 more entries per week with the on-line entry blanks allowing those snowbirds moving to Florida and Arizona a chance to play.
As for Week 18, it was difficult trying predict how most teams would play hard and or mail it it, including the Patriots (a discussion for another day).
All of the winners were within three points of the Patriots point total (23), the first tiebreaker.
The second tiebreaker, total wins, was also used for final two T-shirts.
See you next year.
Week 18 winners
Stephanie Subocz of Winslow, Me.
Robert Casey II of Holmes Beach, Fla.
Robert Casey of Hampstead, N.H.
Kathy Ford of Seabrook, N.H.
Jean Enright of North Andover
Debbie Hunkele of Atkinson, N.H.
Michele DeGregorio of Winthrop
Jimmy Grant of Haverhill
Steve Lemerise of Haverhill
Joshua Rodriguez of Methuen