The fantasy football gods were smiling upon the brave and the desperate in Week 10.
With rosters depleted by injury and the last bye week of the season, frantic poolies were forced to fill holes with old cast-offs and total unknowns who they scooped off the waiver wires.
Surprisingly enough, it was all good - a weekend as rare and astonishing as a fine merlot, or a Terrell Owens apology.
Sam Gado, the No. 5 running back in Green Bay, scored three touchdowns. Disgraced Detroit quarterback Joey Harrington threw three touchdown passes, as did Tampa Bay's Chris Simms, who otherwise has bombed as Brian Griese's replacement.
The Ravens couldn't keep up with the Jacksonville Joneses. Greg Jones, filling in for fragile Freddy Taylor, rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown. And rookie receiver Matt Jones had five catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.
Meanwhile, J.P. Losman came off the Buffalo bench to throw for 137 yards and two touchdowns, and Jonathan Wells carried the ball 15 times and scored a Houston touchdown.
It was poolies who were smiling after all that.
But can lightning strike twice?
For the most part - no. Harrington and Losman are still considered backups, Wells and Greg Jones are back in supporting roles, and Simms is a marginal play against Atlanta.
Only Gado and Matt Jones are must-starts in Week 11.
Studs and Stiffs
You have to laugh at this stat: the leading receiver for San Francisco last week was Brandon Lloyd who had one catch for 28 yards. Yep - one catch. That was quarterback Cody Pickett's one and only completion in 13 attempts. The wind in Chicago offers no excuse for starting anyone from the 49ers.
What's with Michael Bennett? The Vike runs 106 yards in Week 10 to earn a start, and then carries the ball 19 times for a grand total of 16 yards last week. Brutal. Don't bother starting him again this year.
Shaun Alexander. Yeah, yeah, we know he's great (another 165 yards and three touchdowns Sunday) - but Tiki Barber of the Giants doesn't get the respect he deserves. He had 95 yards rushing and another 111 yards receiving last Sunday, making him a must-start every week, even against the Eagles in Week 11.
Lions receiver Roy Williams is back. He caught seven passes for 117 yards and a career-high three touchdowns last week. Hard to believe his last catch was in Week 4.
Michael Vick lived up to expectations with 209 passing yards and two touchdowns, plus he scored a touchdown on 24 yards rushing. He won't do that well this week against Tampa Bay but is still a good start.
Lastly, a tip of the ol' Riddell to a couple of special teams and dynamite defences. Minnesota scored three touchdowns on a punt return, kick-off return and one of its four interceptions.
Carolina's D was similarly impressive - four interceptions, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown. And the Panthers accomplished this without two of their top cheerleaders.
Injury Updates
Donovan McNabb's season from hell may have ended with a groin injury Sunday. That's obviously a tough blow to the Eagles and to his pool owners. Mike McMahon has some value as his replacement.
Pittsburgh quarterback Charlie Batch is out. But don't bother with Tommy Maddox - even if Ben Roethlisberger can't play.
Chicago's Cedric Benson is gone for the year. And with Thomas Jones still hurting, Adrian Peterson is a great waiver pick. He rushed for 124 yards in relief last week.
Heath Evans is another running back worth grabbing, especially if the Patriots' Corey Dillon doesn't start. With the Pats, however, you never know until the last minute.
Drop 'em
1. Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles
2. Cedric Benson, RB, Bears
3. Michael Bennett, RB, Vikings
4. Reggie Brown, WR, Eagles
5. Charlie Batch, QB, Steelers
Grab 'em
1. Adrian Peterson, RB, Chicago
2. Ben Watson, TE, Patriots
3. Robert Ferguson, WR, Packers
4. Heath Evans, RB, Patriots
5. Mike McMahon, QB, Eagles