So ends lucky week 13 in the world renowned PPFFL. Only one week remains before the elitists square off in the playoffs, yet almost nothing has been decided. With Bayside's win (9-3-1), Brian is the only owner to lock up a playoff spot, the rest are up for grabs. If there was ever a week to make sure you have the best players available in your starting lineup, this is the one. Except for you Nolan, be sure to bench Fitzgerald (pretty please?).

In a competitive league such as ours, every owner needs to be congratulated, even the ones limping to the finish line. I am very impressed with the parity in the PPFFL, especially since my other two leagues have both an undefeated and winless team. I am happy to report that I am not the latter in either one. Enough about the leagues I am in with three year olds though, let's refocus on the one that really matters.

      All three division leaders tallied wins this week, Brian's Tigers, Benn's Sucky Philly Fans, and yours truly. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but of the three aforementioned division leaders, I am the only one that is undefeated in conference play. Does that mean I should be playing for the BCS National Championship? Maybe, maybe not, but I certainly would be more entertaining than Alabama running rough shot over Mack Brown and his chumps down in Texas, I can promise you that.
 

     Week 13 was a rematch of week two's slate of games. Let's get to the action, shall we? We shall.
 

DaBares 7-5-1 (Nolan Thomas) - 108

Bo Jackson's 4-9 (Taver Chong) - 93

     So what if these two teams make up half of the owners in the worst division in the PPFFL? The Central isn't a bad division, its just ultra competitive. Did anyone buy that? Yeah, me either.

     Nolan squeaked one out this week, setting up a showdown with division leader MC Hom--, er, myself, next week. Winner takes all. All being the opportunity to spend precious time setting lineups and perusing the waiver wire in this game I call a waste of time, but one that ya'll call fantasy football.

     Bo knows he needed more points this week to win. Bo also knows that had he is not making the playoffs and that's too bad because I'm a self-proclaimed Taver fan. Calvin Johnson nabbed 18 points and David Garrard did his thing, totaling 22. Those two, along with RBs Lynch (12) and Smith (15) couldn't make up for five starters with only single digit points.

     Nolan obviously forgot to play a real NFL QB this week, he may have been better off starting Tim Tebow, or Jason Campbell who rode the pine, but put up 30 points while doing it. No matter, 56 combined points from his wideouts and 30 between the Steelers defense and their RB Mendenhall, more than made up for the QB debacle.

Texans 7-6 (Greg Shelley) - 92

Flash Greyhounds 5-8 (Todd Schmerler) - 88

     Greg's Texans sat idly by, watching, hoping, and praying, for Mason Crosby to head into the locker room following the game Monday night with less than 13 points (he led 92-79 prior to kickoff). All the wishing and hoping and praying worked. Not only did Crosby not reach 13 points, but the Packers beat the Ravens, it was a win win situation. Tom Brady and the Eagles Def both posted scores of 22 and Welker pitched in with 16. It was a three headed monster for Greg this week, since his other six starters only totaled 32 points (less than a 6 point average).

     Todd's Greyhounds couldn't find the traction this week, essentially getting production from only two players. Philip Rivers and Chad Johnson (I refuse to call him by his stupid new name) accounted for 26 and 19 points respectively. Perhaps starting the Jets Def at Buffalo could have helped (19 pts) instead of the New York Football Giants 12 at home against the 'Boys. Eh, hindsight is always 20/20, but I've got to wonder about the decision to sit the J-E-T-S (you know the rest) Def against the inept Bills offense.

Bayside Tigers 9-3-1 (Brian Kintz) - 99

Ridemcowgirl1 4-9 (Stacey Mickles) - 87

     This matchup was over prior to Monday night's game, but Bayside had Derrick Mason playing anyway. Good thing he didn't need a big game from the Raven WR because his one point was essentially useless. Stacey would have needed Mason to fumble about six times and finish with negative yards from scrimmage to win the week. Instead Mason just didn't bother to show up.

     Ridem' got the usual 26 points from Drew Brees, Brandon Jacobs added 22 and crybaby Roy Williams had 18. Everyone else sucked, point blank. Especially the Steelers defense, who had the Oakland Raiders at home and gave up 27 points, 396 yards of offense, and failed to force a single turnover. Their five points were even more than they deserved for that sad effort. Hey, at least Ridem's bench outscored the Tigers, 35-33. Is there a consolation prize for that?

     With the win, Brian's Tigers lock up a playoff spot and Stacey's Cowgirls are going home. I'm sure Ms. Mickles doesn't mind too much. She'll now have more time to write about how the BCS is the greatest thing since sliced bread and how Alabama will kill Texas on January 7^th. She is 100% right about the Rolling of the Tide in Pasadena though. If it ends up less than a 21 point game I'll be shocked.

Cleveland Steamers 8-5 (Bob Whalon) - 118

Hypnos_zz 4-9 (Jason Coldiron) - 72

     BEATDOWN OF THE WEEK!!! My boy B-Dub ended his two game skid with authority. Two players had 20+ points and four others had 14+. Even Cleveland's five reserves totaled 50 points. Poor Hypnos' had five players who couldn't even score half of ten points. It's not all bad though, Hypnos beat the Steamers in week two 146-78. Revenge really is a dish best served cold, isn't it Bobby?

Philly Fans Suck 9-4 (Benn Hodapp) - 115

Born A Brave 6-6-1 (Daniel Doyle) - 73

     Going into Monday night, Daniel had a five point edge, 65-60, but Ray Rice (4) obviously missed the Green Bay exit on the way to the stadium, severly hampering Born's playoff hopes two weeks from now. Andre Johnson (15) and Peyton Manning (16) were the only two players to reach double digits for the Timid's. Maybe fantasy baseball is 'Braves thing. Jonathan Stewart (18), who enjoyed the festivities this week from the sidelines for Born A Brave, had more than double the combined points of starters Ryan Grant (4) and Ray Rice (4), ouch.

     Philly Fans REALLY Sucked this week, thanks the Packers on Monday night. Aaron Rodgers (27), Mr. Driver (7), and the Def (21) all pitched in to make this blowout come to fruition. Santonio Holmes dropped a 20 spot and Mr. Hodapp's kicker, Jay Feely, even nabbed 13. For a guy who despises the fans in, and of, the City of Brotherly Love (or one fan imparticular), he sure loves the team. Too bad the three Eagles on Benn's roster only combined for 17 points.

MC Homer 7-5-1 (Michael Cureton) - 107

Sweatpants + Handguns 6-7 (Kerri Senno) – 99

     The only game that mattered this week was this one. I did it again, for the fifth time in a row, one game shy of Philly Fans current six-game hot streak (will you lose already Benn?). In a rematch of week two, Kerri's squad couldn't quite pull it out. Had she started Alex Smith (24) instead of Mr. Interception (11), I'd have refused to write this article, but since she didn't, I won, and was happy to write this piece. The Broncos Def dominated Kansas City, to the tune of 24 points. Kerri only had three players in single digits, the only problem was the double digit scores were of the 10, 11, and 13 variety.

     I'm sure you were all oblivious to it, but two weeks ago I picked up Cincinnati's Def strictly for this week and next. They didn't disappoint this week, scoring 23 points against the lowly Lions. Another addition to my team, courtesy of Kerri, was Vernon Davis. You see, the 49ers had a bye during week 6, so she dropped him in favor of WR David Clowney (22 points all year). I'm a fan of his blog on PlayerPress too, but at what price? Vernon only leads the NFL in receiving TDs (10) and is by far the best fantasy TE in the galaxy. Thanks Kerri. I'll spare everyone from hearing about the two trades I made earlier in the year to set up my late playoff push (I was 2-5-1 at one point). Hint, hint, Ben Roethlisberger and Chris Johnson. So a big thanks to B-Dub and Jason for those deals. For everyone who was worried, no muscles were pulled during the patting of my back, by myself, but thanks for the concern.

      Next week is the last chance to stake a claim for a playoff spot. By far, the most important game involves Nolan's Bares and my Homers. Whoever wins lives to play another week, the loser gets his life back. Shh, don't tell anyone, but I wouldn't mind a few more weeks of hating fantasy football as opposed to having it erased from my memory. So for the handful of teams with the chance of living an extra week, good luck and for those of you with teams below .500, have a nice vacation. Send me a postcard, will ya?