Deej leads Nickster by three games in home stretch

Will D.J. unwrap a thrilling Picks title next Sunday?  Will Nicki pull a surprise 2002 championship out of her stocking?  Or is there really a Santa Claus who will deliver Blaine's 14th crown out of nowhere on a sleigh pulled by reindeer?

One of these magical scenarios will come true shortly after Christmas as D.J. heads into the 17th and final week of the Picks with a three-game advantage over Nicki and a five-game lead on her Dad.  Playing only for pride will be defending champ QT Pie (eight back), former champ Mark (nine behind) and the cute Little Bird (17 out).

Nickster trimmed D.J.'s lead to three games this week by winning both disagreements with the teenage Picks phenom.  The Chiefs kicked a game-winning field goal in the final minute to beat the Chargers 24-22, and the Seahawks crushed Girlie's struggling Rams 30-10.  This is the closest Nicki has been to first place since the first week of the season.

Blaine's season was kept alive by that critical Kansas City field goal and a last-minute touchdown by the Browns, who upset the Ravens 14-13 by driving 91 yards at the end.  Those were beautiful gifts in a definite time of need, he says.  So Blaine remains breathing for now on life support.

Both Nicki and Blaine confirmed they will alter their picks accordingly in the final week to give themselves a fighting chance at the title.  They don't hear any fat lady singing yet, but maybe they should pull their hands away from their ears and remove the cotton balls.

In addition to those Christmas wishes, here are a few others from around the NFL that made Santa's list in Week 16:

-- The 1-13 Bengals asked for a victory against the 9-5 Saints, and their miracle was granted!  It was the first time in weeks that Blaine didn't pick Cincinnati, and he just strangled three elves as a result.  New Orleans paid the price for sending a high school football team instead of showing up themselves.

-- The pathetic Panthers requested an easy win for a change, and they were treated to third-string quarterback Henry Burris of the Bears.  Hapless Henry was sacked a thousand times, threw hundreds of balls into the ground, and fumbled more times than the statisticians could count.  Coach Dick Jauron considered bringing in the Wilmington QB at one point.

-- The Packers wanted Brett Favre's incredible cold-weather streak to continue against visiting Buffalo, and it was extended in a nail-biter to 35-0.  That is Favre's record when the game-time temperature is 34 degrees or chillier.  Unbelievable!  He is also undefeated when the on-field temperature exceeds 120 degrees.

-- The Chiefs were presented with the NFL's longest pass play of 99 yards, while the Bills kicker had the longest punt in team history gift-wrapped at 84 yards.  These are records the Bears and Bengals will take aim at next week because their offenses frequently start at their own goal line.

-- The greedy Buccaneers asked for rechargeable battery packs to wear inside domes, but were turned down because they already received large windows at Detroit's Ford Field.