The first-ever online Boothbay Register/Wiscasset Newspaper Staff Pro Football Challenge of the NFL season will continue through the Super Bowl. 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 season will be treated to a prize (we've decided on a gift from each player). We will post each player's record from the following week.

Week 16 standings: Ben 14-2, Nicole 14-2, Kevin 12-4, Katrina 12-4, Mike M. 12-4, Gary 11-5, Mike S. 11-5

Overall: Ben 160-95-1; Mike S. 154-101-1; Kevin 152-103-1; Nicole 152-103-1; Katrina 151-105-1; Mike M. 146-109-1; Gary 145-110-1

Week 17 Comments: Well, we've decided to extend the Challenge through the Super Bowl in order to try and catch Ben, the leader. But with Ben having another banner week, it will be tough for Mike S. to catch him. It was a good week of picking for the Challenge participants. Most of us thought it would be difficult, but everyone had good results.

Week 18 Prognosis: Quarterbacks, turnovers and defense are the key to these games .... Home field advantage should go to Cincinnati and Philadelphia, because of the weather. Green Bay, however, has lost three times to San Francisco since 2012 and Clay Matthews is out. But Aaron Rodgers provided a spark in the Packers' win over the Bears. Could he do it again? Is Indy ready to take on the big boys? Can San Diego win in cold weather?

Week 18 picks

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

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

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

San Francisco at Green Bay: San Francisco: Mike S., Nicole, Mike M., Kevin, Katrina; Green Bay: 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.