Week 4 opens with a highly-anticipated Super Bowl rematch between Jody's Colossal Waste of Time and the Sims Stereco. The C.W.O.T. came up short in the big game for the third time in as many tries, but have apparently shaken off any ill effects with a 2-1 start to 2003. The defending champion Stereco, however, are suffering a bit of a Super Bowl hangover and have dropped two of their first three.

Newcomer Laveranues Coles has developed into a real team leader for the C.W.O.T. and has already posted a team-high 23 points. Aaron Brooks and Plaxico Burress aren't far behind, solidifying a formidable pass attack. Jody's running game, however, is off to a bumpy start, averaging a combined 10 points per game. The hero of last week's victory, the Miami defense, will sit this one out on a bye, as will placekicker Martin Gramatica.

Sims is looking to rebound from a rough trip to En Fuego Field last week, where they were rolled by Piana, 42-21. Unfortunately, they'll have to try and do so without three starters -- Ricky Williams, Amani Toomer, and Jeremy Shockey. Toomer torched Jody for three scores (and earned MVP honors) in Super Bowl VI, but will be a spectator for the rematch. Drew Bledsoe, Stephen Davis, and Terrell Owens will have to pick up the slack if the Stereco are to get their second win.

victims of the bye week:
Jody - K Gramatica, DEF Miami
Sims - RB Williams, REC Toomer, REC Shockey

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The Irwin Hellions visit The Pimps for an interdivisional battle of 2-1 teams. Two seasons ago, these two clubs won their respective divisions and met in arguably the most memorable Super Bowl ever, with Irwin claiming a hard-fought 22-19 victory.

On the heels of that Super Bowl victory, the Hellions fell hard in 2002, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and losing the Draft Bowl to the Piana Raze. Yet the team has regrouped thanks largely to a much improved receiving corps and have won two of their first three to start the season. Unfortunately, they'll have to try for Win No. 3 without Chris Chambers -- their best receiver to date -- and the feared Tampa Bay defense, both out on a bye.

The Pimps can't help but feel slightly stung by last week's road loss to the Machines. Last season, they didn't absorb their first defeat until Week 9, so having a mark in the loss column so soon is somewhat of a disappointment. Someone who's been anything but a disappointment is quarterback Tommy Maddox, who is the team's offensive leader with 24 points to date. Next on that list is Shaun Alexander, who will be sorely missed this week as he sits out on a bye. His absence will put even more pressure on the struggling receiving corps to have a breakout game.

victims of the bye week:
Irwin - REC Chambers, DEF Tampa Bay
Pimps - RB Alexander

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The Abstract Machines visit Pirk's Wicked Oil Profiteer$ in a battle of Western Division co-leaders. The Machines have won two straight heading into Week 4 but haven't won in Oil Town since 2000, and they are 0-2-1 in their last three meetings with P.W.O.P. overall. The Profiteer$ started their season with a pair of wins but were humbled last week by the Bock Boys, 33-10.

Despite the 2-1 start, the Machines are struggling on offense. Surprisingly, Marshall Faulk, Corey Dillon, and Marvin Harrison are the least productive starters through the first three games. As a result, the Mechanical Ones are winning the old fashioned way -- with defense and special teams. Kicker Morten Anderson has scored 21 points and the Ravens defense has posted an impressive 41. Regardless, The Machines will need a greater offensive spark if they're to keep up with the dynamic Profiteer$.

After a fast start in which they scored 40+ points in their two wins, the Profiteer$ ran out of gas last week. Travis Henry and Ahman Green were held to a combined 1 point in the loss, and the backfield duo will be looking to make up lost ground against the Machines. Quarterback Jeff Garcia is off to a strong start, connecting early and often with receiver Hines Ward. Their downfield combination may be the key to get the Profiteer$ back into the win column.

victims of the bye week:
Machines - REC Jackson
P.W.O.P. - none

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Thomas' Bock Boys enter Week 4 as both the defending Western Division Champions and as the only Western club not tied for the division lead after three weeks. The Piana Raze -- winner of two straight Draft Bowls -- is one of the four co-leaders and is looking keep Thomas at bay this week in Bockville.

For a number of Raze players, this week's game at Bockyard Stadium will be a homecoming of sorts. Halfback Jamal Lewis got his start here during Thomas' inaugural season, and Jason Elam and the Carolina defense suited up in purple and gray just last year. While the former Bockers can't wait to get on the field, quarterback Brad Johnson is out on bye, and backup QB Kelly Holcombe likely won't play with leg injuries. As a result, the Raze could find themselves starting their fourth different quarterback in as many weeks.

Thomas put a stop to a two-game losing streak last week in impressive fashion, cooling off the Profiteer$ by 23 points. Daunte Culpepper was unable to finish the game due to a back injury and may be limited this week, but where there's a Priest, there's a way. Priest Holmes is the lifeblood of the Bock Boy offense -- not to mention the league's leading scorer -- and should keep Raze defenders busy all day.

victims of the bye week:
Piana - QB Johnson, RB Barber
Thomas - REC McCardell, DEF Seattle, RB Jones

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Although certainly not the most glamorous game on the Week 4 schedule, the Naughty Figs and Anderson Brewmeisters might have the most to play for. The Figs are off to a dismal 0-3 start, and another loss could send the four-year franchise's quest for its first playoff berth into a tailspin.

The Figs actually played very well to start the season, falling just short to Pirk and The Pimps on the road. Yet the team fell apart in its home opener last week against Jody. The usually reliable Clinton Portis was forced out of the game with an injury and Joe Horn was shut out entirely. Matt Hasselbeck and Koren Robinson were the lone bright spots, but both will be sitting this one out on a bye. For all the forces acting against them, the Figs do have this: they have won in their last two trips to Saint Arnold Stadium.

The Brewmeisters enter Week 4 riding a losing streak of their own. After a huge opening week victory over Jody, Anderson has dropped games to Sims and Irwin. As a result, there have been whispers of Patrick Ramsey getting a start over an underachieving Peyton Manning. The good news for Brewmeister fans is that LaDainian Tomlinson is starting to pick up steam and has improved in each game. Yet L.T. will need some solid assistance from the likes of Eric Moulds and Torry Holt for Anderson to stay in front of the Figs.

The season is still inside its first month, but this is a crucial game for both clubs, particularly the Figs. As the only franchise never to have made the playoffs, a loss here would force them to go 6-3 over the balance of the season to stay in the hunt.

victims of the bye week:
Figs - QB Hasselbeck, REC Robinson
Anderson - REC Johnson, K Brown

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