The 2020 NFL season is scheduled to start in just under two months, with the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs kicking off the season at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, September 10th. That means it’s almost time to get back into making weekly picks!
This year, DraftKings is rolling out their Pro Football Pick ‘Em National Championship contest with a $1 million top prize. With training camp tentatively scheduled to start in less than two weeks, sign-ups are officially live in New Jersey.
What is the pick ‘em contest?
Users are competing to see who can make the most correct picks against the spread for the 2020 season. Users will need to make five picks each week for 14 different weeks (70 total) in the NFL season between Week 1 and Week 16.
14 out of 16 weeks? What about the other two weeks?
You are allowed to skip two weeks during the season. NFL players get a bye week, so DraftKings is giving you a pair of bye weeks. Be warned though: If you decide a given week is your bye, do not submit picks because they will count toward your 70 total picks. The contest counts your first 70 total picks.
What happens if I forget picks for a third week?
If a user miss more than two weeks, the user will receive a score of 0 out of 5 correct for each additional week missed.
Do I have to make all my picks at once?
No! Picks are due no later than 10 a.m. on Sunday each week. While a user has to make five picks in a given week, they don’t have to make them all at once. If one picks the Thursday Night Football game, the remaining four picks don’t need to be picked until Sunday.
What point spread is used?
The point spreads lock in on Wednesday when they are posted.
How much does it cost to enter?
The entry fee is $1,500.
How much money can I win?
There is a guaranteed $2 million prize pool, with the chance to go up depending on number of entrants. First place wins 50 percent of the prize pool, with a minimum prize of $1 million. Second place claims 12.5 percent of the pool, with a minimum prize of $250,000. Third place claims 6.25 percent of the pool, with a minimum prize of $125,000. The top 50 contestants win money, with 36th through 50th taking home 0.125 percent of the pool, at a minimum of $2,500.
Is there a bonus for getting a perfect 5/5 week?
Why yes, there is. Every week a user correctly picks all five games, they will earn a $100 free bet at DraftKings Sportsbook.
What happens if Covid-19 delays or cancels the season?
- If the season starts after September 13th, the entry deadline and start of the season will shift with that date.
- Payouts: if the NFL cancels the season after 12 weeks have been completed, DraftKings will pay out the winners. If the NFL cancels the season before 12 weeks have been completed, DraftKings will refund entry fees.
- Standings: If the season is canceled after 12 weeks but before 16 weeks, the final standings will be based on percentage of correct picks rather than total correct picks since some people will have used one or both of their bye weeks.