and when the big ball drops in new york, we'll all ring in 1983

TV alert for Deep Creek: Lionel Richie will perform as part of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve."

1-2 punch

Dirty Sanchez go into the semis with the top 2 running backs in our league (DeAngelo Williams and Michael Turner), while the Taxmen have the top 2 quarterbacks (Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers).

looking ahead to week 16

Not just because it's fantasy finals weekend, but because of the big games on the real NFL schedule: Pittsburgh at Tennessee, and Carolina at N.Y. Giants. Unfortunately, you will hear the words "in what could be a preview of the conference championship" more than you probably care to.

thursday game

New Orleans at Chicago

what went right (in 10 words or less)

* Weapons -- Better off without Toxico Burress.

* Montana -- LT, a true pro, comes through when needed.

what went wrong (in 10 words or less)

* Shiners -- Receivers did their part; running backs not so much.

* Cavalry -- Coles and Moss MIA; team now DOA.

semifinals are set

* Taxmen vs. Weapons

* Dirty Sanchez vs. Montana

wonder what he would say now?

"The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of its forms; greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."

-- Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), "Wall Street" (1987)

loaded

And no, we're not talking about Plaxico Burress' gun. We're talking about certain teams at certain positions as we move into the postseason:

Taxmen -- top 2 quarterbacks in points (Brees, Rodgers)

Dirty Sanchez -- 2 of top 3 running backs (Turner, Williams, with Portis #9 for good measure)

Shiners -- 3 of top 5 wide receivers (Johnson, Jennings, White)

playoffs

No. 1 seed -- Dirty Sanchez -- first-round bye
No. 2 seed -- Taxmen -- first-round bye
No. 3 vs. No. 6 -- Shiners vs. Weapons (winner plays Taxmen)
No. 4 vs. No. 5 -- Cavalry vs. Montana (winner plays Dirty Sanchez)