Blades/Convicts: In Week 11, these 2 met with the Convicts slipping by 108-105. Before the playoffs began, I picked the Convicts to win it all and despite the fact our commish gave an “unbiased” report saying how he should be favored and he will win, I’ll stick with my original pick.

An individual breakdown of players reveals

Blades: As always, Gus is the “X” factor here. This week he plays @ Arrowhead, a true house of horrors for the Broncos (I assume he will start Gus since starting Batch would be stupid). At RB, the Blades (will most likely) have them running against each other with Stewart facing NYJ and CMart facing Detroit. Of the 2, CMart looks like he could have the biggest day. The only thing holding him back will be if the Lions stack the line trying to make Vinny (or whoever is QB beat them thru the air). At WR, Toomer could do well, or not. The pathetic Dallas D will allow the Giants to march up and down the field at will – but as we have seen, most teams run it down the Cowboys’ throat and not pass it. If Collins starts passing, Toomer could have a big day. As for the other WR – who knows? Once again, K Gramatica could have a big day since the game against the Rams could he higher scoring. Once again, the Blades get a nice matchup for its D – the Titans face the inept Brownies. If the Blades win, the Titans’ D will be the reason.

Convicts: Their fate heavily rests on assumed QB starter Aaron Brooks who fortunately faces the Falcons alleged D. Brooks can have a big day against a team that has quit (although I think this will be a closely fought game). At RB, the Convicts will need a repeat showing by Marshall – but this week he aces a real defense, Tampa Bay, unlike last week’s stiffs in the Vikings. Who the 2^nd RB will be is unknown now – although I know who I would start. If the rights choice is made is could add about 10 extra points to the cause. At WR, the Convicts are kinda weak. Chrebet seems like a no-brainer cuz the rest are kinda weak. Chrebet’s day will be interesting since a good day by him will either negate the Blades CMart or even overpower it. The thought here is that ain’t likely to happen. Who will the other WR be – no fuckin’ clue. At TE, Sharpe could have a big day @ Cincy (then again, who doesn’t) and K Hollis could have his leg fall off after so many kicks @ Arizona. On D, the Convicts could get a big day from the Saints’ D against the Falcons.

Prediction: The first battle between these 2 went down to the wire – see no reason it won’t be any different here. Actually, it figures to go down to MNF (and very late into it, as well) with the Blades’ Gramatica vs. Convicts Marshall. The Blades do get a better matchup here than one would expect, but still, they better have a “teen” lead, or else they are in serious trouble. This one is tough to figure out since I’m pretty sure 9 of the other 10 owners are pulling hard for Mike (gotta believe Tom is not pulling for his bro – just a hunch!). But, as we found out last week when Ray started the wrong QB, Jerry is using all 9-Lives this season in an attempt to win it all. The feeling here is, Jerry’s luck <b>HAS</b> to run out some time and this week is the week. The only team in the league to lose 2 games to the Hollywood juggernaut does the league a huge favor and beats our blabbermouth commish...

Convicts 110, Blades 101

Demos/Cue Ball: Imagine this scenario. You are an amazingly hot babe. Your friends set you up on a blind date with an incredibly good-looking and intelligent guy. You expect Erik Schuman to show up at your door, but instead Jerry Goodman is the one. C’mon now, admit it, the wind goes out of your sails. You go thru with the date to placate your friends but in your heart, you’d rather be with the other guy – ME. Same thing here. Both teams wanted to be playing for it all (and a lot more $$$), but instead, end up fighting for the right to be the Virginia Cavaliers (the LAST NCAA team to win the 3^rd place game @ the Final Four before they eliminated it). The two met twice this season with Cue Ball taking the Week 1 game 114-111 and the Demos winning the Week 12 rematch in a rout, 119-74.

An individual breakdown of players reveals:

Demolition: Once again, I fail to see how this team got the #1 seed – they suck! At QB it appears Bledsoe is the choice here, by default, but after playing 2 good games, does Drew have a 3^rd in him? The RBs are the strong point here with Robert Smith, Garner and Bettis to choose from. At WR, Harrison and McCaffrey are a nice tandem. Harrison faces the Miami defense this week while Ed is @ KC. Both are not great matchups. At TE, Wycheck won’t do much. Akers has a BYE which means Blanchard gets to kick vs. the Ravens – anyone wanna bet he gets ZERO points here? On defense, the choice appears to be NYG and since they are facing Dallass a good game is likely.

Cue Ball: Garcia hosting the Bears or Gannon @ Seattle are the QB choices for this week. Doesn’t look like a tough choice but ya never know. At RB, the pickings are slim but I think he can make a few good choices and hope, although Autry AND Warren having a BYE hurts (which should tell ya all ya need to know about the RBs). At WR, Brown needs another big day and the other one, Boston or Brown needs something, too. At TE, Gonzalez faces Denver so a big game is doable. Mare or Anderson at kicker are 2 solid choices while the Jags @ Arizona has to leave Ray foaming at the mouth!

Prediction: Like anyone gives a shit, here. I see a lower scoring game than usual due to less than favorable matchups all around. Ray may still be stinging from last week’s loss and I see him making some stupid mistakes – ones that will cost him the game. It ain’t pretty, but....

Demos win 95-79.