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 players record from the following week.

 Week 12 standings: Ben 10-3-1; Nicole 9-4-1; Katrina 7-6-1; Mike M. 6-7-1; Kevin 6-7-1; Mike S. 5-8-1; Gary 5-8-1

 Overall: Ben 106-69-1; Kevin 100-75-1; Mike M. 100-75-1; Mike S. 99-76-1; Nicole 99-76-1; Katrina 97-78-1 Gary 93-82-1

 Week 12 Comments: Ben cleaned up again this week, taking a six-game lead in the standings. Kevin had a bad week. He feels he should not have bet against Brady. Nicole moved up and Gary couldn't put another stellar week together. And we had our first tie of the season. Kansas City gets upset at home and Houston sinks to even lower depths.

 Week 13 Prognosis: Happy Thanksgiving and good luck to all Challengers!

Week 13 picks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.