Week 5 marks the beginning of the second trimester of the 2008 season. It's when the bye week forces weekly adjustments, and win-loss records start making owners anxious. In some cases – or at least this case – it also offers a chance for redemption. The 2007 Sims Stereco were shut out in two games against the Anderson Brewmeisters by a combined score of 114-0. It's quite a historic feat. Now, thankfully, the Stereco get a shot at burying that story (or at least score) as they welcome the Brewmeisters into the Porcelain Bowl.

The Brew Krew is riding high after a home victory over the Colossal Waste of Time, and they remain just a game behind the division-leading Figs. Peyton Manning, who missed last week's game on a bye, will be available for Anderson, but there's talk the team may stick with the hot hand of signee Jason Campbell. Brian Westrbook also missed out on action last week (due to injury), and his return to the lineup is questionable. Luckily, LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers defense have found a groove and should put up plenty of points against yet another division rival.

The Stereco are coming off a very tough loss to the Naughty Figs. Their Jaguar defense had a horrific outing, coughing up two points and allowing the Figs to mount a come-from-behind victory. That loss dropped Sims to 1-3, which – if the season were only a month long – would land them back in the Draft Bowl. Turning their season around against the defending champs may be a tall order, but too many first-half losses could bury their playoff hopes. Anderson could be ripe for the picking, however, as they begin a brutal five-week stretch away from Saint Arnold Stadium.

victims of the bye week:
Anderson – REC Holt
Sims – QB Favre, RB McFadden, REC Winslow

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The Irwin Hellions look to break back over .500 while visiting The Pimps, who are still hunting for their first victory of the season. The Hellions held off the Piana Raze at home last week 23-14, while The Pimps were tripped up 40-38 on the road in Bockville. Both clubs have missed out on the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, and would gladly step over the other to get back into the dance.

While their offense isn't as explosive as during their Super Bowl years, the Hellions' defense and special teams have made them dangerous in '08. Their Eagles D has accounted for 56 points in the past two weeks alone, and kicker Nate Kaeding has averaged 9.5 points over the first four games. The Pimps will try to combat this with yet another quarterback (we hear Jake Delhomme is getting the start this week) and a brand new threat at receiver: Randy Moss. Moss was acquired from Thomas last week in exchange for Derrick Anderson, and this will be his first start with a feather in his cap. Can he help his new team get into the win column for the first time since Week 9 of last year? The Pimps certainly hope so.

victims of the bye week:
Irwin – QB Quinn, REC Edwards
Pimps – none

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Thomas' Bock Boys head to The Vortex to take on Jody's Colossal Waste of Time for a battle of defending division champions (and 2-2 clubs). The Boys eeked out a victory over The Pimps to square their record at 2-2, while Jody saw their short-lived winning streak snapped and record evened at Saint Arnold Stadium.

The symmetry in their records is only fitting, given their respective ends to 2007. The two teams last met in Week 13 of last season having already clinched their respective divisions. Thomas won what had essentially become an exhibition game, 36-32. The two failed to meet again in the postseason, as the eventual champion Brewmeisters dumped Thomas in Championship Week before taking out the C.W.O.T. in SB IX. So here they are, meeting again, with neither team leading its respective division. A loss, here, unlike in Week 13, could drop them further back in their quest to defend their division titles.

One last subplot: Thomas dealt promising receiver Calvin Johnson to Jody last week for Carson Palmer. Neither player saw action last week(Johnson because of bye; Palmer due to injury), but it's possible one or both will be lining up against their former team in Week 5.

victims of the bye week:
Thomas – QB Anderson, QB Russell, RB Lewis, REC Coles
Jody – RB Jackson

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Two weeks into the season, the Naughty Figs and the Abstract Machines were the surprising lone unbeatens. In the two weeks since, the Figs have doubled up to improve to 4-0, while the Machines have dropped a pair and now sit and 2-2.

The Figs are indeed still undefeated, although they flirted with the loss column against the Stereco last week. Jay Cutler is coming off his worst outing of the season, and the Figs' second highest scorer – Anquan Boldin – will be sitting this one out with an injury. The Machines are still trying to find a serviceable replacement for Tom Brady, and this week rumors out of Abstract camp have Chad Pennington possibly getting the start. The rest of the offense has lost a step without Brady, but the two-headed defensive attack of Giants and Titans will give them plenty of chances to win games this season. Of course, they'll likely need to score more than he 15 points combined that they've managed over the past two weeks.

victims of the bye week:
Figs – none
Machines – RB Thomas

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The Game of the Week comes to us from En Fuego Field, where the struggling Piana Raze host Pirk's first-place Wicked Oil Profiteer$.

P.W.O.P. is certainly sitting pretty atop the Western Division. At 3-1, they're a game better than the Hellions, Machines, and Bock Boys, and a win this week would put them three games up on the Raze. Something you probably didn't know: dating back to last year, the Profiteer$ have now won eight of their past nine regular season games. Tony Romo is a big reason for their winning ways, although he sat in favor of Philip Rivers last week, and it almost cost the Oil Men a win. Expect Romo to be back under center for Pirk this week. With a banged up receiving corps, P.W.O.P. will likely rely on Reggie Bush and Steve Slaton to rack up the yards and points against their hosts.

The Piana Raze are in a funk. They're mired in a three-game losing streak for the first time since 2002, and they can't seem to make the right lineup calls to save their lives. There's undeniable talent on this team, but only two of their six halfbacks can get the call each week, and they guessed horribly wrong last week, leaving 28 backfield points riding the pine. The Raze need a win to avoid falling out of the divisional race by Neutral Site Week, but Pirk – not Piana – has been en fuego thus far.

victims of the bye week:
P.W.O.P. – none
Piana – REC Cotchery

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