Here is the thread for week #11 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 (tie) – brandone – 78 pts
1 (tie) – FriarBob – 78 pts
2 – Richard L – 74 pts
3 – ZJiff30 – 70 pts
4 – CincyMike56 – 67 pts
5 – Deisel2405 – 60 pts
6 – The Dealio – 59 pts
7 – Vman in Germany – 54 pts
8 – jsl413 – 50 pts
9 – supergrover – 44 pts
10 – Carsonorbust – 43 pts
11 – Mr. X – 39 pts
12 (tie) – ritalin – 28 pts
12 (tie) – Danimal – 28 pts
13 – Bengals FTW – 21 pts
14 – Greener’s eyes – 20 pts
15 (tie) – IFChris – 19 pts
15 (tie) – featherman – 19 pts
16 – Kabash – 17 pts
17 – WHYUS!! – 16 pts
18 (tie) – JohnnyK – 15 pts
18 (tie) – indesignkat – 15 pts

Last week was again a little bit better than the previous.  It was at least decent (most of the time) instead of partially sucking.  If we keep improving at this rate we'll be playing really good football in time for the Chargers game, and I suppose that we do want to be playing our best by then if we want any shot at the #2 seed.  And last week our defense and our offense both scored points -- both in the real game and in this one as well.  Unfortunately, nobody picked the defensive players involved.  Well maybe next time.

Up next we have the Vikings, a team that until last week was getting props for being the best in the league despite having lost to the Steelers (whom we beat twice and are currently a .500 club).  Well they are a very good team, with a very good defense and quite a good offense as well, but until and unless they win the Super Bowl they aren't the best team in the league this year.  Period.  Two other teams are currently undefeated and a .500 team beat them.  And that's before Arizona made them look, well, quite bad in fact.  Is our defense up to the task of harassing Farve into some more turnovers?  We started his career, after all, it would be entirely appropriate for us to turn around and end it as well.  Well we probably can't do that on our own, but we can certainly contribute to the chances of him retiring for good after the season.  And then the other big question is can we still run despite the "Williams Wall", and can we protect Carson from Jared Allen, who supposedly feels sorry for us since we have to play them after they just got embarrassed on national TV.  (I hope Lewis has enough sense to have that quote on the bulletin boards around the locker room this week.)

Time to place your bets.  Do you expect an offensive shootout?  We've got plenty of WRs and RBs to pick for the scores here.  Do you expect a defensive slug-fest?  We've got some secondary players who can catch INTs and linemen who can force fumbles now, so maybe they are the way to go instead.  Either way, 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:

Once again, our boys in black and orange played down to the competition. At least we won. And yeah, I know Megatron is a beast and all that, but how in the world did Tom Nelson outplay — or at least out-stat except for tackles — both JJoe and Hall combined? Oh well, no more, on to the scoring.

This week we at least had some scoring. That’s a major plus that will make some people happy. And with 17 people picking a name that at least remotely resembles a football player that gives a max score of 16 points for the week. But I can’t wait for us to play a real opponent again. If we play up to the competition next weekend we should have lots of scoring and I for one am well ready to see it. Anyway, Chad Ochocinco, Tom Nelson (x2), and Jonathan Fanene (x3) all scored by the rules of the game, but only Chad was picked in the list above. I would like to give Michael Johnson some love for tipping the ball Fanene took to the house, but the best I can do for him is honorable mention. Still glad to see the kid making plays. One of these days…

So here is our weekly scoring only:
The Dealio – 15 pts (Chad Ochocinco)
Danimal – 15 pts (Chad Ochocinco)

This leaves us with a nine week leader board of:
1 (tie) – brandone – 78 pts
1 (tie) – FriarBob – 78 pts
2 – Richard L – 74 pts
3 – ZJiff30 – 70 pts
4 – CincyMike56 – 67 pts
5 – Deisel2405 – 60 pts
6 – The Dealio – 59 pts
7 – Vman in Germany – 54 pts
8 – jsl413 – 50 pts
9 – supergrover – 44 pts
10 – Carsonorbust – 43 pts
11 – Mr. X – 39 pts
12 (tie) – ritalin – 28 pts
12 (tie) – Danimal – 28 pts
13 – Bengals FTW – 21 pts
14 – Greener’s eyes – 20 pts
15 (tie) – IFChris – 19 pts
15 (tie) – featherman – 19 pts
16 – Kabash – 17 pts
17 – WHYUS!! – 16 pts
18 (tie) – JohnnyK – 15 pts
18 (tie) – indesignkat – 15 pts

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.