Nope, that's not how this works. Everyone has to submit their picks either themself or by instructing someone to submit picks in their place (usually only necessary when someone's VGC account is banned). There's no "we can assume that this is the team he would pick, so let's make the pick for him." Showing up is part of the game.

I am obviously aware that he didn't pick NE vs. KC. I also talk with him on Discord about football on a regular basis, including yesterday. Still, I didn't tell him because I have to maintain impartiality as the prediction league host. If I helped one person, I'd have to help everyone else too. That's why helping nobody is the fairest approach with the highest level of consistency for me as the host.

There's no rule that prevents players from helping other players by reminding them or giving tips with things like injuries, so the first half of your post isn't a problem. But the second half demanded clarification on my part.

@Angelus Chiefs and Pats are playing in 2 hours fyi. Cam Newton and Sony Michel are out for the Patriots. They've also had to fly in just today, so they're probably jet-lagged.

(If he doesn't get his pick in time, I think it's reasonable to just put him down for KC)

The Texans' thought process must have been that the season can still be salvaged, but not with BOB at the helm. Apparently BOB was doing the playcalling as well, not just the head coach and general manager positions.

But I have my doubts that Houston can turn this around. They really miss Hopkins at WR, plus the Titans and Colts aren't the same pushovers they used to be in recent seasons. Packers, Bears and Browns from other divisions aren't easy games either (well, Bears might be). I don't think the Texans can get any better than 7-9 this season and even that is a longshot. They are more talented than the Jaguars, Bengals and Lions, but that would be only four wins. They'd have to split their series with the Titans and Colts, and win against the Bears or Browns. Dignity demands that they lose to the Packers, so that's that.

As long as the Cowboys defense remains atrocious, that will certainly hold true. The Cowboys offense is leaps and bounds above the rest of its division, but that doesn't make them a safe bet to win the NFC East.

The Giants haven't scored a TD in a while. If they don't manage it in week 5 against the Cowboys, then it will require a miracle to make it happen down the line.

Even the Cowboys' offense, while certainly nothing to sneeze at, never really seems to kick it into high gear until they're already in a hole too big to climb out of. If they were capable of playing the way they play in garbage time for a full 48 minutes, or even like 3 quarters, without turning the ball over a bunch to start every game....then even their defense wouldn't be able to prevent them from winning games.