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Writer's pictureCommish

2023 Sagebrush Cactus Challenges

What would our leagues be were it not for the extra challenges and contests we offer in addition to the regular fantasy play? Well, we'd probably be like every other league out there: as soon as teams are eliminated from playoff contention, owners log off until the next season leaving a desolate body in their wake.

When your team is eliminated from the playoffs by week 7, you still may be able to win something...or not.

Not us! Our goal has always been to keep owners interested and engaged throughout the entire season.


And perhaps the best part about these additional games is that they don't cost you extra to play. No, really. You already paid for them with your league dues so it doesn't make sense to skip out and not participate. Heck, you might accidentally win a prize.


Below is a list of all of our challenges and contests and I have absolute confidence in your ability to completely fail at these just like your regular fantasy team!

 

Golden Ticket Challenge

So, you think you already know how to play this game because this is your 32nd year in the league and you've done this a million times? Wrong.


One of the challenges I've experienced with this contest is coming up with a strategy to encourage you numskulls to be creative with your lineups. Year after year, each of you submit the same roster: Josh Allen, Christian McCaffrey, Justin Jefferson, Travis Kelce, etc, etc, etc. And, frankly, that's boring. Where's the challenge if everyone merely copies and pastes the top projected players at each position? Variety is the spice of life!


New this season, select players are eligible to receive a multiplier to boost their score.


What does that look like? Well, the top players like Allen, McCaffrey, and Jefferson will receive exactly they score in fantasy. However, lower tiered players like Aaron Rodgers, Joe Mixon, DK Metcalf, and others can see their fantasy score multiplied by a factor of 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, or even 2.0. Yes, some players may see their scores doubled!


Using last year's results, let's look at some examples of how this works.


In 2022, Christian McCaffrey finished with 294 pts so he would receive exactly that in this year's Golden Ticket since his multiplier is 1.0. Tony Pollard, on the other hand, scored 232 pts and since Pollard will receive a 1.25 multiplier this season, he would be awarded 290 pts if he does that again.


If we compare the TE position, we can see that Travis Kelce scored 231 pts last season and George Kittle finished with 143 pts. Assuming they score the same this season, Kelce would receive his 231 pts, but Kittle has a multiplier of 1.50 and would receive 215 pts (143 x 1.50).


This creates a situation where McCaffrey and Kelce are no longer obvious choices, as other players enter into the equation when their multiplier is factored into the decision. The contest transforms into one where you're searching for the players that you believe will best exceed their projections rather than one where you're simply choosing the top player.


You can CLICK HERE to view the multiplier list...or click the giant red button below, or click the link on the form.


Because of this change, we've modified some other rules too. You're still restricted to only 1 player from any NFL team; you cannot choose Mahomes and Kelce or Burrows and Chase. However, you're no longer required to select a rookie player. With the new multiplier format, rookies may or may not be worth the gamble...you get to decide.


Additionally, we are no longer offering the chance to replace a player in your lineup after week 5...something we offered last season.


What are you waiting for?!? Print up the multiplier list and submit your pitiful attempt at creating the winning Golden Ticket lineup today!


PRIZES

1st Place: $150

2nd Place: $75


 

Pigskin Pick'Em Challenge

Picking the winner of every NFL game each week sounds pretty easy, right? How hard can it possibly be when you don't have to bother considering the point spread?


Well, if your historical results are any indication, it turns out it's a bit harder than it sounds. Or, maybe you're just not very good at it.


Nonetheless, you should throw your hat in the ring by clicking the button below to join our Pigskin Pick'Em group on ESPN. Sign up, create your entry and make your picks.


Oh, one more thing...if any league member picks every game correctly in a single week, all of the other league members will congratulate them by giving them an extra $10 each. If you don't math well, that means you could win an extra $230 if you pick every game correctly. But don't get your hopes up...it's happened once in 18 seasons.


PRIZES

1st Place: $150

2nd Place: $75


Group password: SCL#1


 

Eliminator Challenge

Last year, this contest lasted only 3 weeks. I certainly hope you've all sought help for your premature elimination problem and have it in you to last longer than that this season. After all, the task is relatively simple: choose 1 NFL team each week that you believe will win their game. That's it...one team. One. Uno. Een. Bir.


The only constraint is that you cannot select any team more than once during the season. Once you choose a team, you can't pick them again later in the year.


Click the button below and join our Eliminator group on ESPN.


PRIZE

Winner: $50


Group password: SCL#1


 

Survivor Challenge

This is the one challenge that requires nothing more of you than to set your starting lineup each week. How easy is that?


Each week throughout the regular season, your team's total score will be compared with the others in your league. The team with the lowest total score will be eliminated from the contest and the team with the highest score will receive immunity for the following week.


When there are only 4 teams remaining, immunity is off the table and the lowest scoring team will be eliminated. And once we're down to our final 2 survivors, they will square off in a best-of-three series to determine the contest winner in your league.


PRIZES

Sagebrush Cactus League Winner: $150

Segundo League Winner: $75


 

Lastly, I have one very simple request...


I'll concede that "Str8Pimpin Entry" and "SofaKingGood Entry" are awesome names. They certainly do well to let the rest of the league know exactly who they're up against. However, they don't really indicate who you are and that's a problem for me when trying to attribute results to you.


If you would be so kind, please be sure your entry name in our challenges is the same as your fantasy team's name. For example, if your team's name is Badazz Bri, please use that for your entry instead of "T.Baggins Entry".


Good luck!

-- Commish

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