ekblaw@uiucdcs.CS.UIUC.EDU (10/21/85)
I feel that poor Mr. Dart needs a new computer program, as he lost quite a few games: Bengals Cowboys Colts(I picked correctly here) Browns Saints Redskins (ditto!) 49ers Jets (I got this one, too!) most of the spreads. Now I realize that there were two or three upsets yesterday, but I think Dart is missing a major point in the NFL - players. His computer picks determines the game winners based on team performance, but there are other factors at work in a football game. Rivalries, home-field advantage (important in places like Seattle and Pittsburgh, where the crowds are notoriously loud), hyping up to face known tough opponents, and the drive to break a losing streak. In fact, using Dart's method, it would be nearly impossible for Atlanta, Buffalo, and Tampa Bay to win a game. Atlanta and Buffalo proved they could do it (and I never had any doubt about Buffalo), and Tampa Bay will win one in a couple of weeks. Tampa has a good offense, they just keep getting outscored because of a sluggish defense. Look for them to tighten the defense and pull out three, maybe four or five, victories this year. Robert A. Ekblaw