Just when you thought that Adam McKay was dead, he makes this league interesting. Facing a mammoth disadvantage in his match-up with Tony Potts this week -- and already having been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention -- McKay took the monster down at a tune of 717 to 651. McKay, never short on words after a victory (and only after a victory), was quick to boast:

Potts was looking past me. His team was throwing balls off the backboard for alley oop attempts... They had eleven turn overs off inbound passes alone... We're playing for pride... And if our teams weren't completely erased after the season, we'd be feeling really good about next year.

The upset meant that Potts has now tumbled to third place behind Bill Simmons and Zach Gilford. Simmons maintained his spot atop the league with a win over George Lopez. The injury ravaged Lopez just didn't have enough in the tank this week to take down Simmons, who won by 30 points. Gilford defeated Will Ferrell by about 120 points to slide into second place.

The most interesting race right now is the battle for the fourth and final playoff spot. Although Kenny Smith and George Lopez are tied at 11-7 and Lopez has more fantasy points, Kenny wins the tie-breaker based on head-to-head action. And guess what? They face off again this week (more to follow). Also in the hunt and a game behind Kenny and George are Samuel L. Jackson and Will Ferrell. Everyone else is essentially dead. Did I say that out loud?

Let's take a look at this week's match-ups.

Bill Simmons (14-4) vs. Will Ferrell (10-8)
If Simmons win, he gains a stronger hold of the first playoff seed. Will Ferrell, on the other hand, can't afford to lose. One loss, and he may very well be done considering it's a four-team race for the fourth and final spot and he trails by a game. Ferrell's first loss in eight games came last week against Zach Gilford, but he needs to regain his momentum to have a shot at the postseason. Both teams are healthy, but Simmons has a two-game advantage.
Prediction: Doesn't look good for Ferrell. Simmons wins.

Zach Gilford (13-5) vs. Adam McKay (5-13)
Gilford is all but assured a playoff spot, but McKay enjoys playing the giant killer and could make Gilford's life difficult. McKay does use a bit of smoke and mirrors to get it done, dealing with not only an inferior roster but one that has been decimated by injuries. He started the season with his top pick, Gilbert Arenas on the shelf. Then Jermaine O'Neal went down. Now David West is day-to-day, and his status is uncertain for the week. Even if West plays, this will be an uphill battle for McKay.
Prediction: Blowout victory for Gilford.

Tony Potts (12-6) vs. James Denton (4-14)
Potts has slipped to third place, but is in little danger of falling further against the bumbling Denton. Potts does, however, have an injury to Andrei Kirilenko to deal with -- although it's not clear if he will miss any additional time. Gerald Wallace is still out. Hey, Denton has a chance!
Prediction: Check that, "A healthy Denton has a chance!" Denton also misses Bosh. Give this one to Potts.

Kenny Smith (11-7) vs. George Lopez (11-7)
BIG GAME! This match-up does two things: First, it provides separation in record for the fourth and final playoff spot. Second, if Kenny wins, he will secure the tie-breaker in the event these two teams end up tied for that final spot. BIG GAME! Lopez is dealing with injuries to Jamaal Tinsley, Mo Williams and Caron Butler. Kenny, who's won 10 of 11, has a fully healthy roster.
Prediction: I can't believe it. Kenny wins again!

Samuel L. Jackson (10-8) vs. Donald Faison (7-11)
Faison has lost six straight and seven of eight. He's due. He has four games from every player in his lineup, but one (Billups). Jackson has three games from four players (Felton, Lee, Stoudemire, and Redd).
Prediction: Faison provides a major blow to Jackson's playoff hopes.

Bernie Mac (7-11) vs. Spike Lee (4-14)
Playing for pride here, folks. Bernie's lost three of four and is out of the playoff picture, although he has the highest points against and the fourth highest points for on the season. Ouch, Bernie. Spike has five "injuries", as he's already benched players in preparation for next season.
Prediction: No amount of bad luck can keep Bernie from winning.