Week 13 - In 2000, The Magic, Maulers and WoWW ran away with division titles. In 2001 The Maulers are long since out of the hunt and both The Magic and WoWW will have to scrape out week 13 wins if they want a chance to go to the finals. The times they are a changin'. All the seats are filled for The Sauer Memorial Bowl, but we will have to wait for the rest.

The Storm (11-1) vs. The Nukers (4-8)

Coach of the Year candidate Dave Ryan, takes on the high powered offense of The Storm who are sporting a record of 11 and 1. (Who put that 1 on there? Hmmm? I wonder?) Although I suppose anything can happen and it is possible that the Storm would have a let down after securing the #1 seed in the 2001 Champs Bowl, I doubt it. The Nukers may want to just consider this week a tune up for the Sauer Bowl.

Storm 95 Nukers 50

Onslaught (2-10) vs. Cougars (8-4)

Beware the juggernaught that is the Onslaught! 2 wins in a row!!!! The Cougars should be in a nasty mood after losing the rights to The Pennellville Moonshine Still last week to The Panthers. With Terrell Davis and Bill Schroeder finally healthy for the Onslaught they now have the firepower to make this game more interesting than the records would indicate. However this week that firepower, much like Coach McQueeney, will fire blanks.

Cougars 78 Onslaught 64

WoWW (8-4) vs. Maulers (6-6)

Week 1 this game loomed large on the schedule for different reasons than they are now, but since then The Maulers hopes of a dream season have disappeared faster than a dozen doughnuts in front of the Col.'s face. With a win here, WoWW will earn their 3rd consecutive South Division Title, with a loss, their fate will be in the hands of The Sharks. However, since The Maulers injury report is longer than the Col.'s rap sheet and Eddie George is playing like Eddie Georgette, this one ought to be a slam-dunk for WoWW.

WoWW 75 Maulers 12

Lightning (1-11) vs. Panthers (6-6)

The Lightning will be trying to keep pace with the Onslaught in order to avoid the "worst record of 2001" title, while The Panthers, who will finish a close second in their division again, are trying to put together their first winning season in franchise history. Unfortunately they will have to do it with put their workhorse, Jerome Bettis in the line up. To add insult to injury, The Panther also have Grbac and Ismail on bye. If you consider that, factor in Coach Lynn's "they are due" theory and add in the unlikely nature that The Panthers would have a winning season. You have to like The Lightning's chances this week.

Lightning 69 Panthers 65

*****Upset Special*****

With an utterly demoralizing loss to WoWW Week 12, The Sharks not only lost the game, but also the division lead and the chance to control their own destiny. Although crushed by this defeat Coach Osama bin Michaud has taken up stripping in a desperate attempt to earn a little extra cash for his next waiver wire pick up. Unfortunately we have legitimate proof of Coach Bin Michaud in action.

Crushers 75 Sharks 65

Game of the Week

Magic (8-4) vs. Knights (7-5)

I don't think enough can be said about The Knights this year. Just simply a year ago the were 2-11 and The deserving champs of the Sauer Memorial Bowl, now they are contending for the North Title, and certainly a team no one wants to see on their schedule. However with all that said, The Knights will not only have to win this game against the defending champions, but due to the tie breakers will have to win it by 20 or more to go to the play offs. Normally if I'm the Magic and have scored 100 points or more 3 out of the last 4 weeks, and I have a 20 point lead, I'd feel pretty secure, but……………….How's this for scoring comparison over the last 4 weeks.
Knights: 91 - 91- 47 - 95
Magic: 111 -107- 39 - 109
Clearly both teams can score a bunch of points on any given week and are capable of taking a dive as well. Both are healthy, have great match-ups and full of high-powered stars that can will a game single handedly. That said, I don't think this game will be decided by one player showing up with a huge day, but by which player does not. The most likely suspect for that scenario would be Randy "douche bag" Moss. Also, The Magic will have to contend with a healthy Ricky Watters who "may" steal a few important carries from Shaun Alexander and in a game this tight that may spell disaster for The Magic. But will the Knights score enough?

Knights 89 Magic 69

Good luck to all. ~Jim