With their season on the line, the Brewmeisters showed that they are still able to bring the goods, as they dealt the visiting Bock Boys their first defeat of the season, 32 – 24.  In a game in which kickers led all position players for both teams, the Brewskies’ Stephen Gostkowski (11) had more support than Thomas’ Nick Folk (15).  Though no other position player hit double digits, five of the remaining six contributed 5 or more points.  Perhaps even more importantly, the Brewskies’ San Diego defense stepped it up, stripping 12 away from the visitors, and scoring its first touchdown of the season.  Bye-week replacement back LenDale White was the sole non-contributor for the Brewmeisters, who won for only the second time in five games.  Even with all this firepower, the game was not decided until Monday night.  Though Thomas had gotten zeroes from QB Joey Harrington and receiver Calvin Johnson, Plax Burress’ 9 and another jarring 20 points-against effort from the New England D had them in position for a possible comeback win.  Folk did his job, but running back Marion Barber was held out of the endzone, which ultimately doomed the Boys to their first defeat of the seaaon. At 4-1, Thomas maintains his one game lead over Piana and now Irwin in the Western Division, while the Brewmeisters moved closer to mediocrity at 2-3 and a game and a half back of the Pimps in the East.  In an interesting footnote, this marks the first time in the team’s history that the Brewmeisters have used a tight end.

back to scoreboard

It looked like this might finally be the week the Stereco put their first one in the win column.  Newly acquired RB Kenton Keith, subbing for the injured Joseph Addai, slashed through the Pimp’s line for two touchdowns and 14 points.  Larry Fitzgerald finally played up to his potential, catching nine passes for 136 yards and a touchdown on the way to an 11 point performance.  The ever reliable Robbie Gould hit 2 field goals and 3 PATs for 9 points.  Meanwhile, QB John Kitna and RB Shaun Alexander were combining for a total –1 point for the hometown Pimps.  Even with Pimps kicker Kris Brown having a 19 point game on the strength of three 50+ yard field goals, and the Bears D winning the defensive war 13 – 8, the hometown Pimps went into the final quarter down by 14.  Yes, the Stereco was about to have that first win in the bag – that is, until Pimps receivers Donte Stallworth and Jason Witten outscored Stereco wideout Wes Welker 15 – 1.  When the dust had settled, both teams had identical scores of 32.  Tied, but not defeated, the Pimps retain the lead in the Eastern division, at 3-1-1.  Tied, but still winless, the Stereco sink a little deeper into the Eastern division cellar, now at 0-4-1.  Worse, they still need six wins – now in the remaining eight games – to qualify for the playoffs.

back to scoreboard

In arguably one of the two most poorly played games of the weekend, the Irwin Hellions managed to rally around their kicker and backup quarterback to defeat the Piana Raze, 29 – 23.  Nate Kaeding led all position players with 12 points, while Eli Manning put up 9 in the winning effort.  The way Chris’ 49ers defense (0 points against) was getting pushed around, it did not look like the Hellions had much of a chance; however, in the Raze backfield, QB Vince Young and RB Larry Johnson were combining for a total –1 point for the home team (this feels like Déjà vu!).  After a team leading 8 points from kicker Adam Vinatieri, there were no hometown heroes to be found, unless you count Reggie Wayne a hero with his 6 point effort.  Brian’s Colts defense at least managed to show up, taking back 10 points from the Hellions, but when Terrell Owens posted only a single point on Monday night, the Raze went down in flames.  When the smoke had cleared (yes, I know I used this line before.  This game doesn’t beg for originality.), both teams found themselves at 3-2, the Raze still in second in the West and a game behind the Bock Boys, but now sharing second with the Hellions.  Worse, they now travel to Bockville bruised and depleted, needing a kicker, a defense, and a running back who can average more than three yards per carry.

back to scoreboard

If Hellions vs. Raze didn’t make you turn off your TV, you probably stuck around for Naughty Figs vs. Pirkle’s Wicked Oil Profiteer$. This was not a game to watch if you loved precision passing, as the two quarterbacks combined for six pass interceptions, and 0 points between them.  Profiteers kicker Mason Crosby led all position players with an 8.  And Pirk’s Denver D wore itself out running backward to the tune of 484 yards given up with nary a sack or a turnover, actually giving the Figs 6 points.  At least the Figs Steelers (16 points against) played a good game, as did wideout Patrick Crayton (7), picked up midweek to staunch the bloodletting in the receiving corps.  Anyway, a win’s a win, and the Figs, now 3-2, find themselves in second place in the East, only a half game behind the Pimps.  Meanwhile, Pirk’s Profiteers, not looking so wicked as lame, fall to 2-3, and into a tie with the Abstact Machines for last in the West.

back to scoreboard

The Abstract Machines managed to stay focused enough to win their second game in the past three weeks, as they hung a big “L” on the C.W.O.T., to the tune of 31 – 15.  Led by the reliable duo of Tom Brady (14) and the Ravens D (15 against), the Machines didn’t show up with any other big guns, as the rest of the team managed only 17 points between them.  However, it was still more than enough to beat the Jodys, who were beleaguered with many players taking scheduled and unscheduled weeks off.  Missing for the home team were Carson Palmer and T.J. Hooseyourmama, along with the newly acquired Minnesota Defense, who were all on bye week holiday.  Apparently deciding to join them, the Tampa Bay D, receiver Santonio Holmes, and kicker Josh Brown suited up but made no contributions to the cause.  Ronnie Brown led the team with 11 pts,  and Antonio Gates added another 9, but bye-week QB Jay Cutler (3) did not make much of his likely only start, and Frank Gore (4) turned in another disappointing game.  So after 5 weeks, the Machines and the C.W.O.T. each find themselves at 2-3.  The Machines remain in the cellar in the West, but now have the company of the Wicked Oil Profiteers.  Jody drops into a tie with the Brewmeisters for third in the East.

back to scoreboard