In Week 13, we find that the Fantasy Gods have a sense of humor. Thirteen is a strange number and this week was certainly not normal. All you had to do is look at the results at opposite ends of the standings. The Beans lose and the Takers win. Don't forget the web-exclusive "Weekly Previews" and "Free Agents List" when making those starting lineup changes or making that acquisition that puts you over the top. If you have an idea for something new, let me know and we'll see if I can add it.

  If you would still like the Notes mailed to you let me know and I will start mailing them out to you. It is cheaper and also much quicker to go electronic. The league's url is http://swffl.50megs.com .

Key Matchups to watch this Week

  In a family affair the Jelly Beans will try to complete the season sweep of the Dream Team, as both teams try to rebound from losses. The Secane Tsunami will try to avenge their early season loss to the Body Shop as both these teams also try to rebound from a loss. The M. Takers will try to complete the season sweep of the Good Fellas as both teams snapped losing streaks (O.K. in the Fellas case "streak" might be a stretch). The Black & Blue Attack will try to win both ends of the "Black Bowl" with the Black Revenge. The Quiet Storm will try to avenge their early season loss to the Bull Dogs in a battle of Elite Teams.

  Norm (my estimates) was 3 of 5 making 27/55 (49%) on the season. He regains top billing. Spock was 2 of 5 making him 29/55 (53%) on the season. His locks are below:

  One game was over on Sunday. Two more were more or less over. The final 2 games were up in the air (sort of).

  The Black & Blue Attack avenged their early season loss to the Secane Tsunami. The Black & Blue were led by James and the COLTS. Only Galloway managed to clear double digits for the Tsunami. Both teams' coaching efficiencies were under 70%, but that 33 and 19 on the Attack bench had to drive the Attack headquarters nuts.

  In a battle of the top 2 teams the Quiet Storm avenged their early season loss to the Jelly Beans as Jurevicius and a 32 point lead were too much for Westbrook. The Storm was led by Palmer and the BEARS. Fitzgerald was the only Bean starter to clear double digits. With the "W" over the Beans the Storm pulls into a tie with the Beans, but the Beans point total keep them in first.

  The Good Fellas avenged their early season loss to the Body Shop as Alexander and the EAGLES were unable to overcome a 26 point lead on Monday night. The Fellas were led by Portis and Manning. The Shop overreacted a bit to the Droughns explosion last week. The Shop inserted Reuben instead of more steady performers like Davis or Gado. Perhaps that spurred the Chatterbox entry.

  The M. Takers avenged their early season loss to the Black Revenge as Hassleback was only able to reduce the Taker lead from 8 to 6. The Takers were led by Trent Green and Michael Bennett (where did that come from). Only Nate Kaeding managed to clear double-digits for the Revenge starters. The Revenge shuffled their wideouts in and out of the starting lineup before kickoff. Unfortunately for the Revenge, TJ Hous-a-whats-it and his 20 points was the odd man out un the final Revenge lineup. Usually a two point game will score "GOW" honors, but there was another close game.

  The "Game of the Week" honors go to the contest between the Bulldogs and the Dream Team. The Dogs avenged their early season loss to the Dream Team as Josh Brown was unable to overcome a 10 point lead on Monday night. The Dogs actually in trouble until a late CARDINAL double-bubble bomb gave the Dogs the lead. The Dream Team wasted a great game by Hines Ward. A Plummer or Anderson start over Manning or Jackson would have kept the Dream Team above the Elite Line instead of the Bulldogs. At 7-6 both of these teams still have very good shots at a Elite Spot, but with only 4 games left that trophy may be out of reach. Although this was not the closest game, it received "GOW" honors because it was still decided by less than 5 points, involved teams battling for a Elite spot, featured the first and third highest scores of the week and . . . . . oh yeah my team was involved. Never underestimate that last point in this weekly decision.

CHATTERBOX:(Get Quotes in by Monday Night)
Dream Team (Norm): Suspiciously Absent!!
Bull Dogs (John T.): "Looks like I 'Drew' the right QB this week. I really hate winning like that but I'll take it. Hats off to the JV team."
Body Shop (Casey): "I am the worst fantasy football coach of all time."

BEST & WORST OF WEEK 13

MVP: Anquan Boldin (29) Bull Dogs       Best on Bench: Chris Chambers (33) Black & Blue      Low Scorers: Jelly Beans (30)    Coaching Efficiency: High: Good Fellas (95%) Low: Black & Blue (45%)

Top Rostered Players By Position (Rostered Players Only)
QB - Palmer(205),P. Manning(180),E. Manning(152),McNabb(151)
RB - Alexander(201),Tomlinson(189),James(124),L. Johnson(116)
WR - Smith(217),Fitzgerald(172),Harrison(156),Holt,Galloway(153)
PK - Rackers(148),Feely(121),Tynes(116),Elam,Graham(107)
ST - BEARS(125),VIKINGS(120),BRONCOS(116),COLTS(111)