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Week 13 Previews
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Naughty Figs
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Sims Stereco
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(6 - 6)
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(5 - 7)
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series history: Sims leads
3-0
last meeting: Week 5
Sims 45, at FIGS 29
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The Sims Stereco close out the 2001 campaign at home against
the Naughty Figs in their second straight playoff elimination
game. At 5-7, Sims must win the game to even qualify for its
first postseason appearance in two years. The Naughty Figs
are likely also playing for their playoff lives. After starting
the season 6-2, the Figs have dropped four straight and are
suddenly on the brink of elimination.
Sims QB Aaron Brooks, who led his team past the Brewmeisters
last week, will sit this one out. Coach Chris Sims is going
with Kurt Warner this week in what he sees as a better matchup.
Either signalcaller might be hard pressed to outperform the
Figs' Rich Gannon, who has scored no less than 12 points in
each of his last five games. Unfortunately for the Figs, they've
lost four of those games due to lack of offensive support
for Gannon and defensive droughts. With Ricky Williams, Terrell
Owens, and Antonio Freeman, Sims definitely has the stronger
supporting cast on offense, but the Figs have at least the
potential to put up larger numbers on defense. If their Browns
squad can turn in a 20+ point performance - as opposed to
last week's minus(-)2 effort - the Figs might not cough up
the franchise's first ever playoff invite. Sims handed the
Figs their first loss of 2001 in Week 5 and have a perfect
3-0 record against the purple-ones. A fourth in a row should
land them in the playoffs.
victims of the bye week:
Figs - RB Lewis, RB Brookins, DEF Baltimore
Sims - none
back to scoreboard
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Jody's C.W.O.T.
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Anderson Brewmeisters
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(4 - 8)
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(4 - 8)
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series history: Anderson
leads 7-2
last meeting: Week 3
ANDERSON 46, at Jody 25
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The Anderson Brewmeisters, winners of two
Super Bowls in their first two years, will be sitting out
the playoffs for the first time having been eliminated by
the Stereco last week. Jody's Colossal Waste of Time, losers
of two Super Bowls in four seasons, will also be sitting outside
of the playoff picture for the first time. They were eliminated
a week before Anderson, but defeated the Raze last week to
set up this most interesting contest.
Indeed, the winner of this game will end their season on a
high note, defeating their division arch-rival, but would
not be playing in Week 14. The loser, however, would drop
to the Draft Bowl to play Piana with a shot at the No. 1 Draft
Pick in 2002. Jody has already publicly challenged Anderson
not to throw the game for a spot in the Draft Bowl. The Brewmeisters,
to their, credit, have answered the call and are putting their
best team on the field. This will be an exciting game that
could ultimately be decided on Monday Night, when the Brewmeisters'
Peyton Manning will be matched up against Jody's Miami defense.
History bodes well for Anderson, who is a perfect 3-0 against
the C.W.O.T. at Saint Arnold Stadium.
victims of the bye week:
Jody - REC Ismail, QB Grbac
Anderson - none
back
to scoreboard
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P.W.O.P.
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The Pimps
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(6 - 6)
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(10 - 2)
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series history: P.W.O.P.
leads 5-2
last meeting: Week 3, 2000
PIMPS 29, at Players 11
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A classic inter-divisional rivalry is renewed for 2001
as the Eastern Champion Pimps host the playoff-bound Pirk's
Wicked Oil Profiteer$. The visiting P.W.O.P. have won three
straight to even their record at 6-6 and clinch a playoff
berth. The Pimps have enter the game having won a league
record eight consecutive games. Furthermore, a win over
the P.W.O.P. will give them the league's best ever regular
season record at 11-2.
Perhaps the biggest reason that the Profiteer$ have won
as many games in 2001 as they had in '99 and 2000 combined
is Ahman Green. Green has buoyed a declining running game
and has taken pressure off quarterback Jeff Garcia. While
Ahman Green was arguably the best selection of the draft,
The Pimps' Shaun Alexander might be the best mid-season
signing. He has been superb in filling in for Ricky Watters,
but this could be his toughest test to date. With Jerome
Bettis sitting this one out with a hip injury, Alexander
will be the lone half back for The Pimps. Another notable
change to their lineup is the return of Mark Brunell, who
gets the nod at QB after Van Pelt's atrocious minus(-)5
point effort last week. As the season's final interdivisional
battle, this should be a dandy.
victims of the bye week:
P.W.O.P. - none
Pimps - REC Sharpe, K Stover
back to scoreboard
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Irwin Hellions
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Piana Raze
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(9 - 3)
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(3 - 9)
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series history: Piana leads
6-4
last meeting: Week 4
Piana 26, at IRWIN 44
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The three-time Western Division Champion Irwin Hellions hit
the road to take on the only other Western team to ever claim
a division title - the Piana Raze (and they have two) - in
the week's least significant matchup. The banged up Hellions
enter the game having lost two of their last three, but their
playoff seeding is locked at No. 2. Despite a recent improvement
in play, the Raze have dropped five straight and are already
destined for the Draft Bowl.
Irwin is hoping to end the season on a good note by sweeping
the season series from a third divisional opponent, but maintaining
the team's health is actually of greater concern. With Edgerrin
James and Marcus Robinson done for the year and kicker Wade
Richey likely out of a job, the Hellions cannot afford too
many more bruises if they seriously plan on defending their
league title. Meanwhile, Piana would like nothing better than
to enter the Draft Bowl with a win. Longtime Raze Terrell
Davis is scheduled to make his third start of the season and
will split carries with Garrison Hearst. Sadly, Piana is 0-for-En
Fuego Field this year, and a loss to Irwin would be their
seventh straight defeat at home (dating back to last season's
playoffs).
victims of the bye week:
Irwin - none
Piana - none
back to scoreboard
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Game of the Week
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Thomas' Bock Boys
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Abstract Machines
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(6 - 6)
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(7 - 5)
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series history: Thomas leads
2-1
last meeting: Week 2
Machines 21, at THOMAS 22
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Nearly three months ago, Thomas' Bock
Boys clipped the Abstract Machines at Bockyard Stadium thanks
to their rowdy 12th man. That was the first of several improbably
narrow road losses for the Machines. Yet their fortune seems
to have reversed of late, as the playoff-bound Machines
enter Week 13 having won four of their last five games.
Thomas, on the other hand, has has only won two of their
last five and find themselves needing a strong showing -
if not a win - to make the playoffs.
The goal of a strong performance may be a bit more elusive
than usual this week as the gimpy Daunte Culpepper may not
see any action. The only backup Thomas had during the season
was Trent Green, and he was cut weeks ago after several
bad outings. Culpepper's absence would put more pressure
on runningback Priest Holmes and receivers David Boston
and Keyshawn Johnson to post some serious points. Thankfully,
Thomas has one of the more aggressive defenses in Philadelphia,
which could compensate for a diminished offensive return.
One thing the Abstract Machines don't have is a diminished
offense. Marshall Faulk, Marvin Harrison, and the emerging
Kevin Johnson are all viable threats to get near or above
10 points apiece. Yet perhaps the biggest result for their
winning season is the improved play of their defense; The
Machines actually lead the league in POINTS AGAINST. One
more solid outing and a win will lock the Machines in as
the No. 3 seed, guaranteeing them a home game next weekend.
Playoff factors aside, this rivalry has all the makings
to become one of the division's best.
victims of the bye week:
Thomas - none
Machines - none
back
to scoreboard
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