Stage is set for final-week showdown as QT leads Mark by three games

Clear the stage for the Wilmington siblings as they prepare to duke it out this weekend to determine who is superior in the spotlight.  No, we're not talking about their old high school stage in that tiny cafeteria or "all-purpose room" in the land of purple and white.  We're talking about the grand Picks stage, where QT leads Mark by three games heading into the final Sunday of the 2004 season.

The Christmas weekend of Week 16 gave QT the gift of high hopes for her third Picks title, while it nearly dashed the chances of others by leaving them with lumps of coal.  Mark almost cut his deficit to one game Sunday night, but his Browns had a critical field goal attempt clank loudly off the top of the right upright from 43 yards out.  QT's Dolphins capitalized on that mistake by making a 51-yard field goal with 7 seconds left to squeak out a 10-7 victory.  It certainly can come down to the little things.  A botched field goal attempt 20 years ago this month cost Jeff a chance at the Picks title over Blaine.

While Miami's kick was sailing through the uprights on QT's new 24-inch flat-screen Toshiba television that has a built-in DVD and VCR, Blaine's hopes for a 14th title were being squashed.  He also had the Browns, and lost two other games to QT that defied logic.  His Bears had a game-winning touchdown catch somehow ruled incomplete in Detroit to the surprise of announcers and fans, and his Redskins allowed a last-minute touchdown drive in Dallas that overcame major odds.  So instead of trimming his 11-game deficit to four games, Blaine is 10 games back and pretty much toast heading into the final weekend.  Even with a new e-Trex GPS receiver, he still can't seem to find his way.

Ali, Nicki and D.J. lost their opportunities at a 2004 title, but that certainly didn't spoil their fun.  The twins were busy blasting music from their new 280-watt Sony stereos, while Deej had comedian Brian Regan making her laugh on her new CD-equipped clock radio and shower radio.  Guitarist Nickster and talking-watch-lover Ali have identical 126-88 records despite dozens of disagreements this year.  Who will finish as the top twin?  And will Girlie Time dig her way out of a four-game hole to avoid last place?

With no Saturday or Monday games in Week 17, every NFL team plays on Sunday in a wild season finale where anything can happen.  Looking at the 16 games on the docket, almost every matchup is a tough call.  If Mark can pull himself away from ATV Off-Road Fury 3 on his new PlayStation 2, he stands a legitimate chance of becoming just the third person to repeat as Picks champ.  QT might have to pause her Quantum Leap DVDs until she secures the top spot.  The door may appear closed for Blaine, but it's not locked, so he will have a mathematical shot at the title after reviewing QT and Mark's selections.