Week 5

James Thomas puts up the high score (and the first person to score double-digits in this wacky NFL season), it also catapults him to a first place tie with McNabb's mom in the overall standings. Overall it was his faith in Green Bay, Detroit and Dallas that put him on top.

However, although he had only 3 correct picks Scott Ward is the weeks' big winner as his wife Beth gave birth to their son Daniel James. Congrats Scott and Beth. Not sure what Flood's excuse is, maybe the single life gets in the way of NFL picks??

We had considerable consensus on games this week -- some of it good (Tennessee, the resurgent Patriots, and Lock of the Week Carolina); some of it not so good -- (The surprising Jets, frustrating Eagles and disappointing Bengals). Also Indy managed to break the always take double-digit points (especially at home) Maxim, while Green Bay apparently saved up all of its scoring for one week, against the poor homeless Saints, no less.

Still the NFL looks more muddled then ever, other then the fact that Indy is very good on both sides of the ball, even if Peyton is not lighting things up like he did last year. What are the other obvious playoff teams. Pittsburgh (who at least won't have to play another AFC Championship game at home)? Denver? San Diego?

And in the NFC, no one looks dominant after the Eagles poor performance, the defeat of the Vick-less Falcons, the entire NFC North should be relegated, English Premier League style to the Big-10 -- it is wide open.

The debate over the worst team is equally muddled: Houston? New Orleans? 49ers? Certainly the Jets did themselves no favors in the Matt Leinart Sweepstakes by beating the previously unbeaten Bucs

I would be remiss if I failed to mention the end of the season for both the Yankees and Red Sox (their loss in the ALDS at least giving the other some measure of satisfaction). FOX can talk a good game about the story of the White Sox and 4 at-bats from Vlad, but they have to be angry (not to mention poorer) with both Boston and New York out of it, though the rest of us are quite glad. New York's recent lack of success (five years without a ring) casts the Braves in a new light -- yes Atlanta have only won a single ring, but as the Yankees are proving: winning the World Series, Like pimping, ain't easy.

Lock of the Week, basking in the glow of a correct pick after several bad ones, will take the Bengals giving 3.5 at Tennessee.

Make it a Good week.

Jono

Week 4

Sorry about missing week 3 -- things are a good bit more busy then we were used. I promise that it wasn't because I was in the cellar, again.

And besides, since so many of you aren't submitting picks anyways (which is why I don't like having automatic picks), is it really worth it. We expect that from Thorne, but not from Flood.

But I do miss it and so here goes.

From Week 3 props to Scott Ward, proving that it is easier to do well before the baby comes. BTW, is Scott Ward a future candidate for the Supreme Court? If the only qualifications are to graduate from a decent law school, be in corporate practice, active in the local bar association and friends with the President, then all we need is a Kaleta administration and Ward is a shoe-in.

In all seriousness, Scott's wife Beth will give birth to their first child this week. We'll give you a pass, Scott if you do not get your picks in and we'll be thinking about the three of you. It's a wonderful and amazing ride.

Some Week 3 observations:

If Michael Vick comes to your town get a ticket -- he is worth the price of admission,as I watched him dismantle the Bills once vaunted run defense.

Turns out Minnesota wasn't that bad (well until Week 4). OR that NO wasn't that good (until the Bills came to town).

For week 4 there was broad consensus, as most of us agreed or disagreed on many picks. Jeff, Hyman and Derek all got 8 correct to tie for the weekly high score. Derek finds himself in the overall lead, although we are all trailing McNabb's mom.

At least I worked my way out of the cellar for a week. Though I'm still looking up at everyone else in the overall standings.

Some more observations: The Bills are not very good right now, we'll see if Kelly Holocomb makes a difference against the Dolphins, rumored to be the division doormat.

Could be a rough week for Jeff, with the Red Sox facing elimination and the Pats looking vulnerable for the first time in several years, having to play Vick on turf in Hotlanta.

Does four games make Eli the second coming?

Teams that are not this good: Redskins, Broncos
Teams that are not this bad: Eagles and the Panthers


Question of the week: How many wins will it take to win the NFC North?

Lock of the week will take Carolina on the road against Arizona (who only looked good because they were playing the Niners, at 7200 feet). Though once again we took a quick look at the games and didn't feel good about any of them