Let's start by getting one thing clear: we in the Daily sports department are not big fans of the NFL Network.
The decision to schedule a Thursday night game in this week's slate throws a wrench into our plans, since you're now reading a Friday paper offering predictions for ... last night's game. The battle of the NFC's two 10-1 superpowers has already ended, and at least one of us has already gotten it wrong. Our bad.
Anyway, we do have some ideas about the future. Liz "Sleeping Beauty" Hoffman still leads the pack, proving that one doesn't have to be sober, awake or even present to boast football expertise. Ethan "Walkin' in a Winter Wonder" Landy slipped up a bit in his quest to catch Hoffman, sliding back into a five-game deficit but maintaining his firm hold on second place. Two games behind him is Alex "Jerk #1" Bloom, and continuing to nip at his heels (and his job, but that's another story) is Evans "Jerk #2" Clinchy.
Ross "Mayor" Marrinson pulled off a heroic 12-4 week, tied with Hoffman, to move into a fourth-place tie with Clinchy. Tim "Squash Groupie" Judson fell a game behind Marrinson with an 11-5 week, but he stays three games ahead of the 11-5 Rachel "Sportswriter?" Dolin.
The battle for last place is a bit of a yawner. Sapna "Gym Rat" Bansil may be lost and confused, but with an 11-5 week she's stayed respectably ahead of Carly "Commodore" Helfand. Helfand went 12-4 last week, but no one noticed her down there in last place. It's like the whole "if a tree falls in the forest..." metaphor, you know?
Longtime Daily columnist Will "Big Hitter" Herberich offers his guest picks.
