Two weeks ago this Eastern Division battle looked inconsequential, but two Brewmeister victories and two Pimp losses later, this one's regained some stature. Anderson is coming off back-to-back wins for the first time this season and are making a strong playoff push, while The Pimps suddenly find themselves trailing the C.W.O.T. by a half-game.

The Brewmeisters come in with the league's deepest corps of running backs. LaDainian Tomlinson, Fred Taylor, Charlie Garner, and Duce Staley are all worthy of starting around the FLF. The Pimps, meanwhile, boast one of the best receiving corps around, with Jerry Rice, Rod Smith, and Peerless Price striking fear into the hearts of defensive secondaries everywhere. While these two game-breaking units will likely decide the outcome, it's important to note that The Pimps have won six of their last seven contests with the Brew Krew, including the last three.

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Two Eastern Division winners from a week ago meet in a race for a playoff berth. The Naughty Figs snapped a nasty losing streak with a dramatic 58-55 win over Piana, while the Sims Stereco broke back into the win column with an upset victory over The Pimps. The Figs would have to win their final three games and get some help to score the franchise's first ever playoff appearance. The Stereco need at least two more victories down the stretch to become playoff eligible for the second year in a row. As luck would have it, they're a perfect 5-0 lifetime against the Figs.

The Naughties have struggled all season, but building blocks for success are in place. Rich Gannon continues to defy aging and spark a young offense anchored by rookie halfback Clinton Portis and receiver Joe Horn. It's an underachieving Bears defense that has proven most costly for the Figs. The Stereco are lead by the dynamic duo behind center. Drew Bledsoe and Michael Vick have both won big games for the Red and Gold, but Sims lacks the big-play talent at receiver to compete at a higher level.

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In a battle of division leaders, Thomas' Bock Boys make their first visit to the Vortex to challenge Jody's Colossal Waste of Time and their league-best 8-2 record. The Bock BOys were mugged last week at home by P.W.O.P. and saw their Western Division lead shrink to a half-game. The C.W.O.T. have four straight, surpassing The Pimps to lead the East by a half-game of their own.

Thomas may be in trouble. The Bock Boys have lost David Boston for the year to injury, leaving them only three active receivers on the roster. Their lone quarterback, Daunte Culpepper, has played terribly the past month. Yet you just can't discount a team that has the versatile Priest Holmes in the backfield. Jody has an all-star caliber back as well in Deuce McAllister, who has arguably been the catalyst to the C.W.O.T.'s ascension in the league. With Aaron Brooks and Plaxico Burress starting alongside Deuce,one has to think Jody has a good shot at closing out the interdivisonal sweep of Western teams this season. The best part of this one, of course, is that neither division leader can afford the loss.

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Pirk's Wicked Oil Profiteer$ are hot, winning five of their last six games to storm into contention for the Western Division title. The 1-8-1 Piana Raze are only two weeks removed from their lone win of the year and, at best, can only play spoiler to close out an embarrassing season.

P.W.O.P.'s resurgence can be attributed to a strong ground game anchored by Ahman Green and Travis Henry, improved quarterback play through Jeff Garcia, and a consistently good defense in New Orleans. The Saints, ironically, were let go by the Raze in the offseason, who themselves would like better play from their Cowboy and Patriot defensive units. Yet all is not bad for Piana; strong play from Tom Brady, Jamal Lewis, and Tiki Barber have energized the Raze during the second half of the season. And while the Draft Bowl may be unavoidable, tripping up the Profiteer$ on their way back to the playoffs would merit some small degree of satisfaction.

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The Irwin Hellions and Abstract Machines were half of the league's Final Four last season, with Irwin eventually winning it all in Super Bowl V. 2002 has been a somewhat different story, however, and now both clubs teeter on the brink of playoff ineligibility.

The Hellions have been tagged for six losses though 10 games, meaning they must win at least two of their final three to even be playoff eligible. With their pride already wounded and management ready to make changes in the front office and on the sidelines, the defending champs have little room for error. Injured players need to play hurt and healthy players need to play above themselves if the Hellions are to at least have a shot at defending their title in the playoffs. Thankfully, they welcome back arguably their biggest weapon - the Tampa Bay defense - fresh off a bye.

Nothing has gone right for the Abstract Machines this season. They've suffered two ties, six losses, and their best weapon - Marshall Faulk - has been hampered by injuries. Despite all that, if the Machines can run the table and win out, they just might be able to sneak into the playoffs. They gave the Hellions all they could handle six weeks ago, and now the Machines are looking to put a stake in the heart of the defending champs.

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