The first-ever online Boothbay Register/Wiscasset Newspaper Staff Pro Football Challenge continues deeper into the second half of the NFL season. 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 player's record from the following week.

Week 13 standings: Mike S. 13-3; Ben 11-5; Katrina 11-5; Nicole 11-5; Gary 10-6; Kevin 9-7; Mike M. 9-7

Overall: Ben 117-74-1; Mike S. 112-79-1; Nicole 110-81-1; Kevin 109-82-1; Mike M. 109-82-1; Katrina 108-83-1 Gary 103-88-1

Week 13 Comments: Wow ... Mike S. had a great 13-3 week and jumped into second place. Nicole jumped over Kevin and Mike M. to take over third place and Katrina is coming on strong. New England barely defeated the league's worst team, Detroit hammers Green Bay and Seattle looks unbeatable.

Week 14 Prognosis: Most division leaders look strong (New England, Cincinnati, Seattle, Dallas and Denver) while others like New Orleans, Indianapolis and Detroit are still suspect to upsets. Then you add the teams on the rise (Carolina, Miami, Arizona and perhaps Baltimore) and you have another interesting week for picking the winners. And this week you have the two of the worst teams facing off, Houston and Jacksonville! Could the score be 3-2? Mike S. is riding the Carolina train alone; Nicole is riding the Colts and the Rams alone; Katrina is banking on the Bills by herself; and Mike M. is the only one who still believes in RG III!

Week 14 picks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.