Week 6
Pimps turn back Machines 41-34
Pickup placekicker Matt Stover boots the Eastern Division leaders to yet another win, and the Hellions regain first in the West. All this and more in...

The Week That Was in Fantasy League Football

If The Pimps go on to claim their second consecutive Eastern Division title, much of the credit should go to the GM, who has made moves - and even some non-moves - that have put the team in a position to win every week. This week, Matt Stover was picked up to fill in for kicker Jeff Wilkens - the league's highest scorer - who was off with a bye. The Pimps took the field against the Abstract Machines a receiver short, yet Stover made sure that became a nonfactor by connecting for a commanding 16 points in leading the team to its sixth straight victory.

Despite Stover's performance, The Pimps found themselves in a tight race all through Sunday. The Abstract Machines, having to go without Marshall Faulk, actually held a 45-41 offensive advantage, thanks largely to their own new acquisition, runningback James Stewart and his admirable 9-point effort. Machine quarterback Shaun King chipped in 10 and receiver Marvin Harrison contributed another 11.

The game was won by The Pimps, or perhaps lost by the Machines, on defense. The Pimps' Packer squad (11 points against) easily outmatched the Machines' Jets defense and their porous 2-point performance. The win keeps The Pimps two games in front of Jody, while the loss drops the Machines to 3-3 and leaves them at the mercy of the Bock Boys and Hellions.

Thomas won its first two homes games in decisive fashion, yet the third turned out to be anything but a charm. Jody's Colossal Waste of Time came to town and brought the pain, embarassing the Bock Boys in front of their fans behind a dominating defensive performance and a rejuvenated ground game. Stephen Davis and Eddie George, playing together for the first time since Week 2, combined for 21 points on the ground while Timmy Brown brought in 15 through the air.

Yet the true story of the game was the C.W.O.T.'s legendary Miami defense. The Dolphins squeezed the Bock Boys for 20 points and even recorded a touchdown and a safety for their own cause. Thomas was outmatched in nearly all aspects of the game; the only bright spot was the play of youngster Daunte Culpepper, who led the B. Boys with 12 points. The win is Jody's second straight and keeps him two back of The Pimps. Now at 3-3, Thomas has yet to win consecutive games.

Losses by the Machines and Bock Boys opened the door for Irwin to reclaim the division lead with a win over The Players. The Hellions had to rely on ol' faithful - their Tampa Bay defense - but they got the job done, beating The Players for the seventh time in eight career meetings. Thanks largely to Brett Favre's five turnovers, the Hellions were outscored 33-32 offensively, but Tampa Bay conquered The Players' Patriot squad 18-10 to secure the win.

The Players had their chances, but two offensive starters were shut out and another - rookie receiver Travis Taylor - scored a -2. As a result, Irwin was kept close enough to take the game on defense. The win, Irwin's first on the road this season, improved their divisonal mark to 3-1. The Players fall to 2-3 in the West and two games back of Irwin.

Raze QB Brian Griese bested Brewmeister Peyton Manning 14-4 in a battle of shotcallers as Piana won for only the second time this year. Antonio Freeman also returned from the dead with 8 points, but it was Piana's New Orleans defense that attributed the most towards the Brewskies' downfall. The Saints outperformed Anderson's much-hyped MightyTitan defense 22-12 to bring home the win. Receiver Ed McCaffery and kicker Mike Vanderjagt led the Brewmeisters with 10 point apiece, but it wasn't enough to prevent Anderson's fourth loss in five games. The win elevates Piana into a tie with The Players for last place in the West, two games back of the division-leading Hellions.

Kurt who? It was a game that couldn't have gone any better for the Stereco, who record the franchise's first ever shutout at the expense of the expansion Banshees. Despite missing Kurt Warner - and even going without a QB - Sims posted 41 offensive points. Terrell Owens, back from his suspension, exploded for 15 points, which, coincidently, was three more than all eight of Brandon's offensive starters combined. B.Y.O.B. was even ouperformed by its own defense 17-12. Just for good measure, Sims' Ginats defense one-upped Brandon's Redskin squad 20-17. The win lifts Sims to 3-3 and keeps him in the peripheral of the Eastern Division race. The loss is the Banshee's fourth straight and by far their worst. Are more dark days ahead?