WEEK 8 NFL HANDICAPPING RESULTS 2013

SYSTEM SEASON TOTAL   32 - 15  68%
SYSTEM WEEK (8)  1 - 2  33%

RICK SEASON TOTAL   6 - 3 67% (New Protocol - from wk 7)
RICK WEEK (8)  3 - 3  50%

View Results:
http://www.happycapper.com/ResultsWk82013.html  

Voodoo Dolls and Witching Sticks

If I had to bet the games all over again tomorrow - I wouldn't change a single pick. 

When Teams like KC and SEA cant cover easy spreads against weak ass teams like CLE and STL - you have to pinch yourself. It makes you wonder if Voodoo Dolls and Witching Sticks would be be better suited to calling these games than solid statistical data. 

Thanks "Calvin" for your comments, consistent support and for sharing your in-depth knowledge of handicapping.  You and "Mike L" went the ATS route on SEA and it payed off. I am adding an ATS strip to this weeks Matchups just for you guys.

First  Losing Week EVER! 

However, Like Calvin said, The average Handicapper is below 50%, the best in the world last year - finished in the low 60s.  We are way ahead of the competition at 68%. There will always be games that defy common sense and stats. No one can ever call those consistently. There have just been a few more of those than normal this year. Thus, our first losing week EVER! 

To be fair to the System - I called Off 3 Losers and 2 Winners. So, the system - without my intervention went 4-4 50% this week. But, I saved the System from a losing record a few times before by doing that. I am not going to tarnish the System record by playing fast and lose with outcomes. So, 1-2 this week.

Thanks to "Calvin" and his realistic input - rather than mourning this weeks 1 -2 outcome - I will celebrate our 2 1/2 years without a losing week. You will have to ask Calvin (check the comments section) if any other handicappers have done that before. I have no idea. 

Anyway - just like a good QB  - we have to have to learn from our mistakes and have a short memory at the same time. When I played beach volleyball - after a bad play we yelled "Next Play!  Ready for week 9!  

NEW LOOK FOR WEEK 9

Color
One challenge I have always had - is making the System pages easier for everyone to read. 
All the Data I use - tends to bleed into the pages I build. As my secretary stated last week; This makes for enough color to "give an epileptic a fit." I need to see Red for low ranks and Blue for High, Fav color and Dog color, etc. The New Look gives us that without a hundred bright color boxes. 

Abreviations
Also, my abbreviations are not always easy to understand. Huge legends are also a pain. So I tried to make it so everybody can know what each stat means - by spelling them out. 

Totals
The new platform also gives me the ability to factor additional point tendencies. Mike L. pointed out that the "Final" totals often go over the "Projected" totals. He credits 4th quarter scoring as one factor accounting for this. Example: TB would probably not have been allowed to Score at the end of the CAR game is the Panthers were not already up by 3 TDs. 

The problem, is that calling Winners and Calling Totals are two different things. You can add points to get closer to the Total and screw up whether the a team covers or not. So, I will be very cautious about adding or subtracting points.  The System will continue to focus on calling Winners. I would love to have a conversation about what qualifies as an additional point tendency if Calvin or anyone else wants to post a comment. 

Right now - the system already crosses Rushing TDs vs Rushing TDs allowed, same with Passing and FGs. The only thing it adds is 3 points for Home field advantage. Love to hear what else might be worth factoring.

Overs and Unders
Keep an eye on the totals too though. Overs and Unders will be clearly defined on the new platform. The qualifiers for Over and Unders have been upgraded too. 

Quick View
I will be releasing a new lay out on Happycapper.com tomorrow (Wed) for the Quick View. It only shows the Games and spread along with the Picks and most important Matchup Results - MUP / OL / BY.  There will also be Injury Alerts on that page. Should be a lot cleaner. You can get what you need quick that and in one click - read the Matchup if you want more info and injury details.

Matchups
You will now be able to click on any game and go directly to a full Matchup - with simplified Headings for each set of Data, Full injuries, Player Data and more. I Hope you like it - your comments and suggestions will be welcomed as always.