The Pimps and Anderson Brewmeisters meet up for Part 2 of their Eastern Division series at Saint Arnold Stadium, five weeks after playing perhaps the greatest game ever played in the FLF (won by Anderson, 53-51). That game is now ancient history, however, and the two teams are only concerned with rebounding following their respective Neutral Site losses.

The Pimps are faced with having to win four of their last six to become playoff eligible, which makes for Shaun Alexander's bye week to come at a pretty inconvenient time. Alexander torched Anderson for 19 points earlier in the season, and his production will difficult to replace. The Brewmeisters will not be without loss, either, as Peyton Manning will be watching this one from the sidelines. LaDainian Tomlinson will be on the field, however, and eager to put last week's 1-point game behind him. Anderson would be considered the favorite on paper, but at 4-3 the Brewmeisters are far from a dominant force.

victims of the bye week:
Pimps - RB Alexander
Anderson - QB Manning, K Vanderjagt

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The lone interdivisional tilt of Week 8 pits two Neutral Site winners at En Fuego Field. The Naughty Figs roughed up the Abstract Machines last week, claiming the Eastern Division's only win, while the Piana Raze outlasted Jody's C.W.O.T. in an offensive battle. Piana's already looking to win it's third interdivisional game of the season; last year, the Raze went 1-4 in that department, with the only win coming against – you guessed it – the Figs.

These certainly aren't last year's Figs, who used a high-octane offense to power their way into Championship Week. The 2005 versions have been getting by on incredible (20+ point) defensive efforts, but they'll be without last week's hero – the Colts defense – for this one. Three other starters from last week's win will be gone as well, leaving the Figs undermanned for this bout with the Raze. Piana will likely go as Mark Brunell does. With the running game and receivers underperforming, Brunell has been a tremendous spark, scoring a combined 26 points in his two starts.

victims of the bye week:
Figs - QB Hasselbeck, REC Jurevicius, K Nugent, DEF Indianapolis
Piana - REC Wayne

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On paper, Pirk's Wicked Oil Profiteer$ visiting the Irwin Hellions at the Hellhole seems to be the week's largest mismatch. Yet the Hellions should be wary of P.W.O.P., as they're the only club yet to hang a loss on the defending Super Bowl Champions. Granted, that win was by two point on the Profiteer$ home field.

P.W.O.P. enters Week 8 riding high off a big win over the Sims Stereco. At 2-4-1, they're still at the bottom of the division but are hovering just above a potential Draft Bowl berth. They'll still need to win four of their final six games, however, to become playoff eligible, and having to play Irwin with Warrick Dunn and Brandon Stokley on the bench is less-than-favorable. The Hellions are Kings of the League this week, having now won five straight games with their dramatic 18-17 victory over the Brewmeisters. They would like nothing better than to avenge their only loss on the season, but they will have to do so without Edgerrin James and the Falcons defense, two of the heroes from last week.

victims of the bye week:
P.W.O.P. - RB Dunn, REC Stokley, REC Jenkins, DEF Seattle
Irwin - RB James, DEF Atlanta

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The Abstract Machines roughed up Thomas' Bock Boys, 30-5, just two short weeks ago. Fortunes quickly reversed during Neutral Site Week, with Thomas rebounding to knock off The Pimps and the Machines falling to the Figs, leaving both clubs essentially back where they were before the first round of this divisional series.

The Machines are getting by during a season in which practically every player has appeared on an injury report. After a tough start, they've rebounded to win three of their past four and are in good position to make the playoffs for the third straight year. A season sweep of Thomas might be harder to come by, as they've dropped the last three meetings in Bockville. The Bock Boys are very comfortable playing at home this season, unbeaten in three games. They currently sit just a game back of the Hellions, despite already having two divisional losses. Daunte Culpepper, Priest Holmes, and company hope to avenge one of the losses this week.

victims of the bye week:
Machines - RB Martin, REC Harrison, REC Jackson
Thomas - none

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Jody's Colossal Waste of Time visiting the Sims Stereco doesn't might not have the big-name draw of last week's Anderson-Irwin tilt, but it's arguably just as important. Jody and Sims both missed out on the playoffs last season and are struggling in their attempts to make it back in '05.

We know this much about Jody: they can win at home (3-0 at the Vortex). The trouble is, seven of a season's thirteen games are played on the road, and while six wins certainly qualifies you for the playoffs, it doesn't guarantee a spot in the bracket. The C.W.O.T. let one get away last week, losing to Piana by six after it's Miami defense managed only a minus-1 effort. It might be safe to assume the Panther squad will crack back into the starting lineup following its bye. The best news for Jody is that Ronnie Brown and Steven Jackson are starting to play with damaging consistency.

Sims is in trouble. Following 2002's Super Bowl victory over Jody, the Stereco have gone 6-7, 4-8-1, and are now sitting at 2-5. They'll need a big turnaround in the second half of the season if they're to break their playoff-less streak. A roster filled with the likes of Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald, and Fred Taylor provides hope, but a healthy David Akers, a consistent Mike Vick, and a formidable defense will also be needed.

Mathematically, this is not a must-win game for either club. But when you're already below .500, second-half losses seem to count twice as much, deepening the hole you're already in. Knowing that one of these clubs will make that backwards slide makes for intriguing viewing indeed.

victims of the bye week:
Jody - REC Coles
Sims - QB Vick, REC Crumpler

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