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 7 standings: Gary 10-5; Kevin 8-7; Mike M. 8-7; Mike S. 8-7; Katrina 8-7; Nicole 7-8; Ben 7-8

Overall: Kevin 64-43; Mike M. 63-44; Ben 63-44; Nicole 62-45; Mike S. 61-46; Katrina 56-51; Gary 54-53

Week 7 Comments: Gary had a breakthrough week to tighten up the standings. The Steelers and Redskins are getting better and Buffalo pulled off a tough win in Miami. The Patriots, thanks to a new rule, found a way to lose to those NY Jets .... Welcome back, Gronk. Seattle solidified its claim to be a top pick for the championship. And, oh yeah, the NY Giants got their first win — Coughlin keeps his job for another week.

Week 8 Prognosis: Six teams get a bye this week. Six other teams, like Jacksonville, Minnesota, NY Giants, Tampa Bay and Oakland, are already planning for next year. Atlanta, one of the disappointing teams this season (due mostly to injuries) may join the above group as it has a tough game in Arizona. Washington is on the cusp of losing a playoff bid and will find it very hard in Denver, which is coming off its first loss off the season. Gary — Cleveland? Really? Nicole — St. Louis AND Minnesota? Really?

Week 8 picks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.