The first-ever online Boothbay Register/Wiscasset Newspaper Staff Pro Football Challenge continues. Each week, staff members Ben “The Incredible Bulk” Bulkeley, Kevin “The Hammer” Burnham, Nicole “The Lion” Lyons, Katrina “The Ninja” Clark, Mike “Big Scar” Scarborough, Mike “The Iron Horse” Marr and Gary “Mad Stork” Dow “try” to pick the winners of each NFL game by Wednesday evening (each week there is a Thursday game). The winner (best winning percentage) at the end of the regular season will be treated to a prize (we haven’t come up with one yet). We will post each players record from the following week.

Week 5 standings: Nicole 11-3, Kevin 9-5, Mike S. 7-7, Mike M. 7-7, Katrina 6-8, Ben 6-8, Gary 6-8

Overall: Kevin 48-29; Nicole 47-30; Mike M. 46-31; Ben 44-33; Mike S. 43-34; Katrina 38-39; Gary 37-40

Week 5 Comment: Cleveland … three straight wins, baby. Nicole got the PICKS of the Week as the only Challenger who chose Oakland and NY Jets. What is wrong with the Falcons? ... the disappointment of the league so far (along with Houston). Can't figure the Chargers out ... they beat the Cowboys at home then lose to the Raiders at Oakland, typical considering their recent past.

Week 6 Prognosis: Back to 15 games on the schedule. Most intriguing game this week has to be Green Bay at Baltimore — Packers need to keep pace with the Lions and Bears and the Ravens want to keep pace with the Browns and Bengals.

Is Tom Brady done sulking? Will Gronk play? Will Denver run up the score against lowly Jacksonville so Peyton can get closer to Brady's season TD passing record?

Another tough week to pick ... ten teams are 3-2; who will drop back and who will take a big step forward? Gary is sticking with the Giants and going it alone with Washington; Cleveland gained five picks; and none of the Challengers took Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Arizona or Jacksonville.

Week 6 picks

NY Giants at Chicago: NY Giants: Gary; Chicago: Katrina, Ben, Nicole, Kevin, Mike S., Mike M.

Carolina at Minnesota: Carolina: Ben, Mike S.; Minnesota: Katrina, Nicole, Kevin, Gary, Mike M.

Cincinnati at Buffalo: Cincinnati: Katrina, Ben, Nicole, Kevin, Mike S., Gary, Mike M.; Buffalo:

Detroit at Cleveland: Detroit: Katrina, Ben; Cleveland: Nicole, Kevin, Mike S., Gary, Mike M.

Green Bay at Baltimore: Green Bay: Ben, Mike M.; Baltimore: Katrina, Nicole, Kevin, Mike S., Gary

Oakland at Kansas City: Oakland: Nicole, Gary; Kansas City: Katrina, Ben, Kevin, Mike S., Mike M.

Philadelphia at Tampa Bay: Philadelphia: Katrina, Ben, Nicole, Kevin, Mike S., Gary, Mike M.; Tampa Bay:

Pittsburgh at NY Jets: Pittsburgh: Nicole, Gary; NY Jets: Katrina, Ben, Kevin, Mike S., Mike M.

St. Louis at Houston: St. Louis: Ben, Nicole, Mike S.; Houston: Katrina, Kevin, Gary, Mike M.

Jacksonville at Denver: Jacksonville: Denver: Katrina, Ben, Nicole, Kevin, Mike S., Gary, Mike M.

Tennessee at Seattle: Tennessee: Ben, Nicole, Gary; Seattle: Katrina, Kevin, Mike S., Mike M.

Arizona at San Francisco: Arizona: San Francisco: Katrina, Ben, Nicole, Kevin, Mike S., Gary, Mike M.

New Orleans at New England: New Orleans: Ben, Nicole, Kevin, Mike S., Mike M.; New England: Katrina, Gary

Washington at Dallas: Washington: Gary; Dallas: Katrina, Ben, Nicole, Kevin, Mike S., Mike M.

Indianapolis at San Diego: Indianapolis: Katrina, Nicole, Kevin, Mike S., Mike M.; San Diego: Ben, Gary

The players

Ben “The Incredible Bulk” Bulkeley used to play football. He used to weigh over 200 pounds, but he wanted to play wide receiver, so he slimmed down drinking Slim Fast and cutting down on his Devil Dog consumption.

Kevin “The Hammer” Burnham played football locally and was on the 1973 Class D championship team, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this season. He played linebacker and running back and suffered a few concussions during his playing days ... which may explain a lot.

Nicole “The Lion” Lyons watches football ... sometimes.

Katrina “The Ninja” Clark likes to make her picks by blindfolding herself and throwing darts at the chart in her backyard. Once in a while she even hits it. More often she hits the squirrels.

Mike “Big Scar” Scarborough last played organized football in junior high. He played both ways as a lineman, offensive and defensive tackle. Big Scar was a "speed lineman," who loved nothing better than running down a QB in the backfield.

Gary “Mad Stork” Dow played defensive end for the 1972 Class A state runner-up Edward Little "Red Eddies" of Auburn. He alleges he was selected "All-State" but since this was before the creation of the Internet, there is no way to confirm it. He went to play for the University of Maine from 1973-1976 as a defensive end and outside linebacker. He states he won Eastern Collegiate Athletic Association (ECAC) Player of the Week honors against Bucknell University in the fall of 1975, but again, there is no way to confirm this claim either.

Mike “The Iron Horse” Marr made a name for himself in junior high and intramural sports with his aggressive and undisciplined playing technique, often going for the biggest guy on the field and stiff arming. When in a clutch position on the field, he drew attention by using modern dance techniques, something nobody wanted to see. To this day, he still can't watch “Flashdance” without tapping his feet.