brash upstarts, week 8

Three games up with five to go -- that's where Dirty Sanchez finds himself, on the cusp of a playoff spot. Montana keeps pace, squeaking out a win despite a tough day at the office for Roethlisberger. Flaming Chickens, losers of 5 in a row, have almost flamed out.

points don't matter (except when they do)

Highest scoring team in the NFL: San Diego. Record: 3-5.

Next highest scoring team: New Orleans. Record: 4-4.

Highest scoring team in the Ebner League: Taxmen. Record: 6-2.

Next highest scoring team: Shiners. Record: 4-4.

Next highest scoring team: Dirty Sanchez. Record: 8-0.

bye weeks - week 9

Carolina, New Orleans, San Diego, San Francisco

playoffs? you kidding me? playoffs?

With eight games (almost) in the books, it's time to look ahead to the playoffs. They begin in week 14, the first weekend in December. Here's how they'll play out:

There will be 6 playoff teams, 3 from each division. The four wild-card teams will be seeded based on overall record, then total points scored.

* No. 1 seed (division champ) -- first-round bye

* No. 2 seed (division champ) -- first-round bye

* No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seed -- winner plays #2 seed

* No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed -- winner plays #1 seed

Speaking of playoffs, you can see the full version of the classic Jim Mora playoffs rant here . 

why you just shouldn't talk politics with some people

Excerpts from an e-mail the commish received from an old friend when the subject turned to the presidential election:

"What do you think qualifies him "experience wise" for the Commander In Cheif. I do not want a "dictator" or Socialist government. ... I think it is scary how Obama is treated like the second coming of the Messiah though, it's interesting how so many people are all mesmerized. ... Given his affiliations, his pastor (really scary), his commentary on wearing the American flag pin, ACORN, his birth certificate (still not clear on that one) these issues alone ought to secure a vote for the other side. ... Yeah, like you can just sit down with terrorists leaders and drink organic tea and just talk through it. We need somebody with experience to defend our country in the next few terms especially with Russia "warming" up their engines. This past week when CommieCastro and the dictator of Libya "endorsed" Obama, that should make one shudder and wonder why they would come forward. "

bye weeks - week 8

Chicago, Denver, Green Bay, Minnesota

it's fun to play the YOC, eh?

Congrats to Your Original Champions, who notched their first win of the season despite getting a combined 0 points from Marvin Harrison, Jerricho Cotchery and the Broncos defense. It was still enough against Babs, who had to endure one of those ugly games that Brett Favre throws in every so often.

brash upstarts, week 7

No Romo, no problemo for Dirty Sanchez, who continues his undefeated ways. Shiners, Winehaus, Montana all move to 4-3 on the season, with the Shiners beating Steel Curtain by the narrowest of margins (and their benches had the same number of points as well -- the commish is glad it didn't come down to the second tiebreaker, because I don't even think there is one.)

wily veterans, week 7

Losses by the Taxmen and Weapons of PD tighten the division race. Taxmen get next to nothing from the Drew Brees-Marques Colston connection as the Saints are throttled by the Panthers (didn't see that coming). Meanwhile, Weapons (like the Chiefs) fall victim to the rushing attack of the Titans, with LenDale White coming up big in Montana's win.

r.i.p. levi stubbs

It took a little searching to find a Four Tops TV performance from the mid-'60s that wasn't lip-synched, but you can watch one here . That's Stubbs at lower right.