July 24th, 2025

The first day of NFL PreSeason is officially 1 week from today! Which means it's time to get our Pick 'Em and Fantasy groups in order!

I've already spoken to several of you and this is where you'll find the info you seek.

CBS SPORTS FOOTBALL PICK 'EM

If you were in the Pick 'Em league last year, you will automatically be in it in 2025.

(If you need join for the first time, CLICK HERE)

$50 buy-in for Pick 'Em once again this year. I, Joe, accept payment via Apple Pay, Zelle, Paypal, Venmo, or even cash if you want to do it that way. 

Full payment is due before Week 1 of the regular season begins (Thursday, September 4th 2025 at 8pm ET).

Late payments will only be accepted with a 10 dollar penalty added per week the payment is late. The start of a "week" is always determined by the start time of the first game of that week. If you submit after the first game of the week begins, you are late and owe the penalty. Penalty funds go to the pot.

Payouts will be determined by the size of the pot and the number of players playing.

Generally speaking, the top 3 will get the majority of the pot, but additional players beyond 3rd place may receive all or a portion of their money back. Historically, your best bet is to finish in the top 2/3 of the league.

The CBS Sports Pick 'Em app is now open to enter your picks for Week 1 of the NFL regular season.

 

ESPN FANTASY FOOTBALL

We're back once again. Last year was generally spent showing everyone how to play, but I think we got everyone up to speed.

While I will once again be offering Fantasy free to play, I WILL be providing a trophy to the winner this year. Pictures to come. Once we have the trophy in play, We may go to a paid format  in 2026.

Go to the ESPN Fantasy app to play:



(Or if you need join for the first time, CLICK HERE)

I have changed a few settings this year. You'll be able to have one additional bench player, and you will be allowed to keep TWO players from your team last year.

I am also shifting to a 1 week playoff instead of 2, so that we can dump week 18 entirely. Too many players sit out in week 18.

I'll work with everyone on scheduling a draft, but with so many people in so many timezones from East Coast all the way to Hawaii, we may still run into a scenario where not everyone can attend live. As a reminder, the autodraft feature will give you the best stastistical player from last season if you are not able to pick live.  So you won't just end up with a terrible team if life gets in the way of our silly fantasy football draft.