FAQs
How do I register?
Can I use my NYTimes.com account, or do I have to create a new one?
I missed the first round of games. Can I still play?
Do I need to predict all the games or can I just predict my favorites?
Can I change my prediction after I submit it?
Why do you ask for my age and gender?
How do rankings work?
How do levels of expertise work?
What happens if I forget my password?
How do I change my account settings?
What is Predictify?
Can I use my account on Predictify’s main site?
How do I sign up for an account?
Click on the 'Register or Login' link on the Playoffs Challenge front page and enter your username, password, and email address.
Can I use my NYTimes.com account, or do I have to create a new one?
To play The New York Times 2008 Football Playoffs Prediction Challenge, you must create a Predictify account. In most cases, you can set your username and password to be the same as your NYTimes.com account.
I missed the first round of games. Can I still play?
Yes. New players are welcome to join any time during the playoffs. The leader board is updated every week, so even new payers can make the weekly Top 10.
Do I need to predict all the games or can I just predict my favorites?
You are not required to predict every game in every round, but players who predict all the games in a round will be ranked higher than those who predict only a few.
Can I change my prediction after I submit it?
Yes. You can change your predictions until the round closes one hour before kickoff of the first game in that round. Your score will be based on the last prediction submitted.
Why do you ask for my age and gender?
Demographic profile data allows players to compare the predictions of different groups using the interactive charting tool. Just click the 'Results' button on any question page after submitting your prediction to view the collective prediction.
Demographic profile data will not be linked to you or your account in a personally identifiable way. That is, question results may reflect that younger respondents, in aggregate, predicted a different outcome than older respondents, but not your specific response. Please see Predictify's Privacy Policy for more information.
How do rankings work?
Players are ranked and earn a level of expertise based on the following factors, in order of importance:
- Number of correct picks
- Average point differential
- Time of submission (earlier is better, since less information is available)
If two players pick the same number of games correctly, the player who has the lower average point differential will be ranked higher. If two players pick the same number of games correctly and have the same average point differential, the player who submitted his/her picks earlier will be ranked higher.
Your rank and level are displayed in the top row of the leader board on the homepage.
How do levels of expertise work?
After predicting at least three games, players earn a level of expertise based on their cumulative predictive accuracy relative to other players.
| Level |
Percentile |
| Guru |
90-99% |
| Expert |
75-89% |
| Scholar |
50-74% |
| Apprentice |
25-49% |
| Beginner |
0-24% |
What happens if I forget my password?
You can request a temporary password, which will be sent to your email address with further instructions about how to log in and reset your password. Please contact support@predictify.com with additional questions.
How do I change my account settings?
To change your account settings, including your password, visit www.predictify.com/account.aspx.
What is Predictify?
Predictify (www.predictify.com) is a prediction platform that provides a simple, fun way to engage in current and future newsworthy topics. Users can research, discuss and predict the outcomes of real-world events, challenge their friends to private prediction contests, and build a reputation based on their predictive accuracy. It's free - no points or bets required. Tell me more.
Can I use my account on Predictify’s main site?
Yes. The account you create for the 2008 Football Playoffs Challenge is a Predictify account, and you can use it on Predictify’s main site (www.predictify.com).