Considering how wide open the NFL has been this season, your guess is as good as mine when it comes to predicting the 2011 playoffs. So rather than rehash the participants’ stats, personnel, and recent history, I figured I would get a real objective look at how this tournament is going to shake down. Whenever I’ve hit a slump in picking sports games (just for fun of course), there’s really only one person who I can look to for an unbiased perspective on sporting outcomes. It’s someone who cuts right through all the experts’ jargon and Vegas’ betting line with resolute decision making criteria. That person is my Mom. Say hi to my Mom:
Does my Mom actually care what’s happening in the NFL? Not in the slightest. She just knows my Dad and I care and that it keeps us out of trouble on Sundays when I’m visiting. Most of her sports knowledge comes through osmosis I suppose, since she’s always preferred mascots over players. She’s always been steadfast in her picks though- unwavering and decisive. Considering the parity in NFL these days, I’m rolling with those instincts.
I wanted this to be somewhat scientific though, so I had to get down to the roots of her forecasting prowess. When I asked her to help me with this project, besides just asking “Why?” she proceeded to tell me her three main factors in calling games. The secret boils down to this: 1) Tenacity of team name/mascot; 2) Location of the game (with special attention paid to indoor vs. outdoor stadiums); and 3) Uniforms and team colors. Sit on that ESPN.
