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4. Jason & Amy: Daring New Englanders. Last week's unpleasantness with the exes is the primary reason for this. It got ugly with the yelling on the mat and Phil, which highlighted Marie's overall inability to rationalize that she is ever wrong. Jason should've just washed his hands of it and not engaged her in the fight. Now I am afraid the New Englanders will be too consumed with "just beat Tim & Marie" to stay focused on the long game. Yes, you want to and have the ability to beat them when it counts but don't be blinded by rage. I hope I am wrong but I fear I am not. When these two are in sync, they race smoothly but when they focus on the wrong thing (like just claiming first place on a leg), they falter. Also, the glee on Jamal's face at the prospect of them being eliminated after missing the Fast Forward shows they are likely targets for other teams.

5. Leo & Jamal: Cousins/Afghanimals. Yeah, I know that the cousins had a decent showing last leg but that doesn't change their inability to instill confidence in me. Last week's Masquerade Detour wasn't a struggle for anyone so I can't really praise anyone for doing well on it. The Roadblock was well-executed by Jamal and I think his theatricality contributed to his success. Of the pair, Jamal seems to be the more capable at tasks but also the more prone to anger. Sadly, when he berates teammate or questions his decision-making, Leo just takes it and lets Jamal steamroll him. Or at least that's what the editing shows. I was surprised in an interview when the newly departed Tim & Danny said they viewed the Afghanimals as one of the bigger threats. But I can't justify putting that much stock in guys who didn't fully grasp the nuances of the Race. So I keep the cousins at the back of the pack but slightly ahead of...

6. Ally & Ashley: Ice Crew Girls. Coming full circle back to the talk of consistency, we have Ally & Ashley. As far as Pitstop finishes are concerned, the girls are the antithesis of Travis & Nicole with yet another Pitstop that narrowly avoided elimination. I can't pinpoint why they can't perform better in the Race. They are physically capable and have shown decent judgment on tasks; so it must be the alliance they made with Leo & Jamal. Pinning your Race hopes so closely on another team like these two have done just isn't a recipe for winning. Or at least it's not when one or both of the teams is not that good at racing. The doctors and New Englanders have both shown they are very good at the Race, which illustrates how a close alliance can succeed. The girls here and the cousins are not them. The silver lining for Ally & Ashley is that we haven't had a proper non-elimination leg yet, so it is bound to be coming up with only six teams left and the show usually including two such legs in a season. Cross your fingers, ladies.

We shall all find out this evening following the virtually guaranteed NFL-delayed start.

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