Here is the thread for week #12 of our Cincinnati Bengals player pick 'em contest.  (We didn't start until week 3 – and then the BYE week screws it up even further – for those of you curious about the mismatched numbers.)  To see the full write-up of the original rules see here.  Last week's scoring results and a summary of the rules are repeated below the jump.  Here are the current score standings:

1 – FriarBob – 106 pts
2 – The Dealio – 87 pts
3 – CincyMike56 – 82 pts
4 – brandone – 78 pts
5 – Richard L – 74 pts
6 – ZJiff30 – 70 pts
7 – Deisel2405 – 60 pts
8 – Vman in Germany – 54 pts
9 – jsl413 – 50 pts
10 (tie) – WHYUS!! – 44 pts
10 (tie) – supergrover – 44 pts
11 – Carsonorbust – 43 pts
12 – Mr. X – 39 pts
13 (tie) – ritalin – 28 pts
13 (tie) – Danimal – 28 pts
14 – Bengals FTW – 21 pts
15 – Greener’s eyes – 20 pts
16 (tie) – IFChris – 19 pts
16 (tie) – featherman – 19 pts
17 – Kabash – 17 pts
18 (tie) – JohnnyK – 15 pts
18 (tie) – indesignkat – 15 pts
18 (tie) – Purple City Middie – 15 points

Last week was a little bit of everything to everybody.  To those who, like me, believe that our passing game is the problem, we got "proof" we were right.  To those who think its just penalties, they also got "proof" they were right.  And to those who had another hypothesis, I wouldn't be surprised if something in that game proved their point too.  But in short, regardless of the cause, we laid an egg against a very good team, maybe even an elite team.  We proved that right now at least we don't belong on the same playing field as a proven playoff team (they clinched by beating us). That doesn't mean we can't win in the playoffs or anything (although I have my doubts) but it does prove that unless we fix whatever the problem(s) are in time, we are going to either miss entirely or be one-and-done.  Which would really suck.

Well up next we have the San Diego Chargers, who are undefeated in December in the last four years or something like that.  And we have to play in their house.  This game has blowout written all over it.  As I write the line is only 6.5 but I have a hard time imagining that not climbing after the stinker we put up last week.  Does that mean we'll lose?  Well, not necessarily.  But if we win, it won't be because Carson Palmer out-duels Philip Rivers in some crazy shootout unless Jerome Simpson turns out to really be that magic bullet some of us want to pretend he is.  Which he almost certainly won't be.  It will be our defense keeping us in the game long enough for the Cardiac Cats to show up again.  Well, under the circumstances, I could live with that.  Heck I'd be happy if we just look halfway competitive for a change this week.

Time to place your bets.  Pick your player to hang your hat on, and best of luck to all.

The scoring recap post from last week is repeated here as well:

OK, unlike last time we lost I’m not having a hard time writing this one. At least the Saints won, nailbiter though it was, which helps ease the pain of my AFC team deciding to self-destruct with penalties. Have I mentioned here that I really can’t stand the Falcons? It was extra sweet getting to knock them out of (realistic, at least) playoff contention in the process. Technically they could sneak in but they’d need a lot of help.

OK enough blathering, on to this game. When we weren't shooting our own foot of in that game we were letting Brett and AP shoot it off for us. But we did at least score some points for people playing this game. I suppose that’s a bit of a consolation prize. With 17 participants that means a max "uniqueness" score of 16. Chad Ochocinco found the endzone and Brat actually did a good job on that play call. One good play call is better than none, right? And Leon Hall (x2) finally got a pick after too many weeks of nada. Pity JJoe couldn’t hold onto his. That would have been very nice indeed.

So here is our weekly scoring only:
WHYUS!! – 28 points (Leon Hall)
The Dealio – 28 points (Leon Hall)
FriarBob – 28 points (Leon Hall)
CincyMike56 – 15 points (Chad Ochocinco)
Purple City Middie – 15 points (Chad Ochocinco)

This leaves us with an eleven week leader board of:
1 – FriarBob – 106 pts
2 – The Dealio – 87 pts
3 – CincyMike56 – 82 pts
4 – brandone – 78 pts
5 – Richard L – 74 pts
6 – ZJiff30 – 70 pts
7 – Deisel2405 – 60 pts
8 – Vman in Germany – 54 pts
9 – jsl413 – 50 pts
10 (tie) – WHYUS!! – 44 pts
10 (tie) – supergrover – 44 pts
11 – Carsonorbust – 43 pts
12 – Mr. X – 39 pts
13 (tie) – ritalin – 28 pts
13 (tie) – Danimal – 28 pts
14 – Bengals FTW – 21 pts
15 – Greener’s eyes – 20 pts
16 (tie) – IFChris – 19 pts
16 (tie) – featherman – 19 pts
17 – Kabash – 17 pts
18 (tie) – JohnnyK – 15 pts
18 (tie) – indesignkat – 15 pts
18 (tie) – Purple City Middie – 15 points

If you see any problem with the scoring above please speak up ASAP.

If you haven't played yet, here is a brief recap of the rules:

1) Pick one player (Make it easy on me, make him the title of your post.  Both first and last name please.) who is NOT officially listed as a QB, P, or PK on the roster.
2) An offensive score is worth one point per participant who did not pick your player.
3) A defensive player is worth 3/2/1 point per participant who did not pick your player based on if he 3) actually scored, 2) gained possession of the ball for the team but didn't actually score, or 1) allowed the Bengals to gain possession by causing a fumble (or blocking a kick) that another Bengals player recovered.  Sacks or tackles behind the line of and by themselves are not worth anything unless they are a strip-sack (1 point if we recover) or they are also a safety (3 points).
4) You score the maximum possible points for your player but only one time.  So a defensive player who forces an opponent's fumble that Cincinnati recovers and recovers another opponent's fumble at a different point in the game is worth 2x points (not 3x cumulative).
5) Keep commentary to the bare minimum please.
6) Predictions on how they will score are not required, and if you provide one they don't net you any bonus if you are right nor do they detract if you are wrong (so long as they do actually score by game rules).
7) Try to be original yet still pick somebody you think has a realistic chance to score or cause a turnover.
8) Only ONE (1) player entry per contestant, per week is allowed.
9) Deadline for player entries each week is THIRTY (30) minutes prior to kickoff.