Don't look now, but pudding-powered twins coming on strong

Blasting through with their most powerful week of the season, Nicki and Ali are climbing back into the race with six weeks to go in the 23rd year of the treasured Sunday Football Picks.

The troublesome twins each posted double-digit victories for the first time this season.  Nicki had an incredible 12-3 record while Ali was impressive with a 10-5 mark.  Climbing up the Picks standings, Nickster has tied her uncle Mark for fourth place while the Little Bird is right behind them.

What has fueled the twins during this sudden power surge is unconfirmed, but it is thought to be a steady consumption of chocolate pudding and Chips Ahoy cookies, with an occasional fudge Pop Tart mixed in.  Their sugar level might be alarmingly high, but officials say their energy sources are pure and legal.

"There are no steroids being used by these sweet girls -- chocolate covered or otherwise," said a high-ranking member of the Picks Oversight Committee.  "It's strictly a case of them harnessing the almighty power of chocolate, and using it to their advantage."

School records obtained from Park View and Stella Mae Swartz indicate that the test scores of Nicki and Ali are higher on days when a chocolate treat is packed in their lunch.  Neither Miss Daeschler nor Miss Bulleri has reported the twins' veins turning brown, so the percentage of chocolate flowing through their little bodies has been deemed safe so far.

D.J., who is probably powered by deli sandwiches and candy bars from Glenbard East, turned in a great performance of her own with a sparkling 11-4 record.  Her six-week stint in first place has her on track for her first career Picks title.

But don't count out 13-time Picks champ Blaine, who is just two games back after utilizing his veteran NFL knowledge to go 12-3.  That included picking against the artificial turf-challenged Packers, who at 8-1 were the NFL's best team before getting embarrassed 31-21 by the 2-7 Vikings in Minnesota.  No grass, no victory for Green Bay.