Better Than You. Almost.

Jeff "Amy" Dunn almost Dunn it again. He was perhaps one Adrian Peterson fumble away from being, I think, the first four-time winner in pool history. But it was not to be, and that means first-time winner Ben Urquhart has new BFF in Hunter Hillenmeyer and $50. He and a friend can buy a round of two beers (three during happy hour) in any Chicago tavern with this kind of windfall.

For what it's worth, down in second, you see my brother and me tied, right down to the Monday night points. Isn't that interesting? No, it isn't.

We're down to our last and the road to winning this thing goes through Dan Franklin, who has leads of 12, 14, 15, 19, respectively, over his closest competitors. The top three pay out, as discussed way back when. On the other side of the tracks, Bill, who has been resting his starters since about week six, has all but locked up the Roo Award.

Good luck in this last go around. Note that all games are played on Sunday this week. Must be some "end-of-the-decade" promotion by the NFL or something.

I can't believe Y2K was X years ago.

Good evening from...

...ice-encrusted Milwaukee. Or is it morning now? December has been a blur, but mercifully, National Shopping Month is almost over.

Quick shout out to my boy Roo for ekeing out a win last weekend by the barest of margins. Ironic, then, that I reveal tonight that with only two regular season football weekends remaining, the frontrunner for the Rooha face-plant trophy, that fabled award named after Chris himelf, is Bill Gullo. Bill's intentions are clear; his point total is lower than two of you who actually missed your picks at some point. Meanwhile, in more respectable quarters, I see no less than half a dozen of you in a logjam at the top, all with realistic shots at finishing in the money. Two weeks...

Bill, I'm a huge Bears fan this week. I hope to see picks. Picks picks picks. Long picks, short picks, pick-sixes, quick-picks, heck, even nose-picks if your boys want to, as long as they beat up on the Purple Problem.

Speaking of picks:

The early game this week is Friday evening, aka Kirkmas Night. Have 'em in before you settle in for a long winter nap.....and best wishes for a peaceful holiday to all.

Hat Trick

By now you know that "Amy Dunn" won Week 14 and in doing so completed a most improbable achievement, this being "her" third freaking win of the season (and there's still three weeks left).

"Amy" is really "Jeff", however - here I thought my sister had really tipped over and started spending all her time studying the west coast offense - but no, it turns out her husband been frontin' all season long.

While I scheme ways to punish this transgression, I should also remind you that there is in fact a game tomorrow night, Thursday, and picks will be due as usual. You know what they say...you want the NFL, go to Jeff Dunn.

PS: as of today, all y'all are PAID UP for the season. Financials can be found in their usual place.

Have you done your picks....

...punk?

No lie kids, this is week 14 we're looking at, and as per usual late in the season, picks are due at least one hour before the game tomorrow (Thursday) evening.

You may be interested to know that if the pool continues next year, I'll be adjusting the rules so that weekend games can be picked independent of the hated Thursday game.

Congrats to Peter Graber, winner of the Week 13 jackpot...seems so long ago....

Quick note on the Roo Award, for those of you who recall what that is: we have a clear frontrunner. He's trying to remain anonymous and go about this quietly, but he cannot escape the steely gaze of the commish. Perhaps that's because the commish is doing nearly as bad.

Stay warm.

Nothing To See Here

Congratulations to Team Dean & Marlene, they of the unconventional strategy that usually (but not this week) involves putting 16 on one of the two Monday night teams. Look out if this new one they're trying out starts working.

With just five weeks remaining, the newly-formed "1200 club" has four members, led by Mrs. Friend Of Smoove B. She has spent this football season kicking all kinds of ass, whether it be here in the pool, or in the fantasy league she's currently tied for first in, or in knowledge of certain girlie reality TV. But no need for panic. Rich, Steve, Jim, Dan, Mike, Rick, and Amy...you're all still very much in the running toward becoming America's Next Top Model for cash awards just after the new year arrives.

Very late on the update this week. Kelly just freed me from my car with a five-iron. As I said earlier, nothing to see here.