The practice involves ranking all National Football League games in a given week (in this case, week 7) according to one’s perceived likelihood of predicting the outcome correctly. Each correctly predicted game earns a point value corresponding to its rank. For instance, the game deemed most predictable is assigned the highest point value (e.g., 16 points in a 16-game week), while the game considered the least predictable receives the lowest (e.g., 1 point). This strategic ranking differentiates it from simply predicting winners straight up.
This approach to football prognostication introduces an element of risk management and strategic allocation of confidence. Participants must carefully assess various factors, including team performance, injuries, historical data, and home-field advantage, to determine where their confidence is best placed. Successfully navigating this landscape can result in significant gains in standings within prediction pools or contests. Historically, these pools have gained popularity amongst casual fans and serious bettors seeking a more engaging method of testing their football knowledge.