The first-ever online Boothbay Register/Wiscasset Newspaper Staff Pro Football Challenge of the NFL season enters its final week of competition. 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're close to deciding that!). We will post each player's record from the following week.

Week 16 standings: Gary 12-4; Katrina 11-5, Mike S. 10-6; Nicole 10-6; Ben 9-7; Kevin 9-7; Mike M. 7-9

Overall: Ben 146-93-1; Mike S. 143-96-1; Kevin 140-99-1; Katrina 139-100-1; Nicole 138-101-1; Mike M. 134-105-1; Gary 134-105-1

Week 16 Comments: Well, shut my mouth...I picked on Gary last week and what does he do? He goes 12-4 to lead the week. He called the upsets by the Colts and Bills. He finally caught someone in the standings as well – Mike Marr, who had an off week. Katrina jumped past Nicole by one game as well.

Week 17 Prognosis: Miami is in the playoffs as the sixth seed if it wins; Dallas vs. Philadelphia, Chicago vs. Green Bay – winners are in. Tough week to pick as upstart teams want to finish strong and playoff-bound teams want to rest their starters – if possible.

 Week 17 picks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.