Article by RJ Dechow
Week 3 Power Rankings
Ranking teams early in the season is always the most difficult. There’s usually 1 or 2 that belong at the bottom and 1 or 2 that belong at the top with everyone else mixed in between. This year is no different – let’s dive in!
12. Koo Koo Ka Choo (0-3) Last Week: 11
This my friend is how fantasy football works. Your first two years in the league you rose to the pinnacle, winning one championship and appearing in another. This year? Not so much. An 0-3 start is not impossible to overcome but with all of your division mates having 2-1 records and the current tiebreaker over you, you’re going to need to win a ton of non-conference games just to have a chance. Your RBs have let you down this season and your lack of depth there might ultimately be your demise. At least Burrow is back!
11. San Diego State Fightin Araizas (2-1) Last Week: 12
Somehow this team is 2-1. If Dan can stay alive in the standings when Kupp and Taylor both return from the IR, then he has a puncher’s chance to make a run in his final season in the league. However, the lack of waiver wire action (he still has Aaron Rodgers on his team for example) means that the necessary moves to compete will not be made, and Dan will fail to capitalize on his hot start.
10. Jamaal Jams (1-2) Last Week: 9
It’s never a good sign when your team’s namesake is not on the roster after 3 weeks but here we are. This team desperately needs to have the old Derrick Henry back but at age 29, it might be asking too much, especially when his backup almost had as many snaps. Lamar can still carry a team week-to-week, but the WR depth here leaves much to be desired. At least he plays in the easiest division in the league, so a potential run is not out of the question.
9. Love and Flowers (1-2) Last Week: 8
In honor of Deion getting blown out, I figured it was well past time to retire the It’s Personal team name as the low preseason ranking that I received is looking more likely to come true. Hence why I picked up not one but two first-time starting QBs in the hopes of figuring out that position for a second straight season. My supporting cast is strong, but it will not be able to carry me until I have someone slinging the ball who can read the field and not get sacked like a deer in the headlights of an oncoming freight train.
8. From The Logo! (2-1) Last Week: 5
I don’t think we have ever seen a team so affected by season-ending injuries as poor Al. Let’s run through them, shall we? Week 1 – Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles affecting Garret Wilson’s performance due to the Cougar Hunter’s inability to throw him the ball. J.K. Dobbins also suffered a torn Achilles for good measure. Week 2 – Nick Chubb suffered the most gruesome looking leg injury ever seen on a football field but somehow only came away with a torn MCL, proving that he is superhuman. Week 3 – Mike Williams had the best game of his season and promptly tore his ACL. Al was able to pick up Chubb’s replacement but at a huge cost to his FAB which will limit his ability to spend for replacements. He has found a good bounce-back player in Swift and if anyone can come back from 3 season-ending injuries in the first 3 weeks, it’s Al.
7. Cousins had a Kittle Lamb (0-3) Last Week: 10
Al has had the worst luck with injuries in the league. Aaron has had the worst luck with running into tough opponents. He has scored the 6th most points in the league but has 0 wins to show for it. Even though he has a horrible RB situation, Hill and Cousins have been able to lead his team while Smith and Cooper provide good backup. Kamara coming back might just provide the spark needed to make a run at his first playoff appearance in a few years.
6. Iowa City Mo (1-2) Last Week: 7
So far, so good in Marie’s first season in the league. Picking up Nacua after the first week is proving to be a savvy move and Allen and Chase gives her the best 1+2 combination at those 2 positions. Her bench is also very deep giving her plenty of wiggle room to navigate the horrors of fantasy injuries yet to come (just ask your brother about those). If there’s an issue, it’s with Mattison as your 2nd RB. With the Vikings trading for Akers, he needs to put up or shut up soon otherwise he will lose valuable work to my player 😊
5. Crazy Train (2-1) Last Week: 4
Could this be the year that Sean is able to put everything together and win his first championship? This team has the feel of a deep playoff contender. Solid QB in Purdy, elite RB in Ekeler (when healthy). Great #1 and #2 WR with Waddle and Olave. A true stud at the TE position in Hockenson as well as his replacement in Detroit with LaPorta. As long as Sean doesn’t make another bet and puts Skylar Thompson in the game like last year, he’ll continue to rack up the victories. I do wish the next time we play against one another, the Bills D/ST doesn’t score 31 points, that would be nice.
4. Chillin’ with Mahomies (2-1) Last Week: 6
This is truly a boom/bust team but man the highs are so high, you even have freaking Taylor Swift on your team! For that reason alone, you deserve 4th place this week (otherwise it would be more like 6th). However, the main risk to this team is if Kelce and Swift end up breaking up and it ruins the chemistry between Mahomes and Kelce and throws the Chiefs season into chaos. Or Brittany Mahomes goes all Tonya Harding on Taylor Swift. Yep, could totally see that happening. Other than the Chiefs, your other players could use some work. Mostert had a great game and Tank Dell is looking like a nice pickup, but there’s no standout 3rd player to help out Mahomes and Kelce every week. Side note – be more responsible with your money. Being down to $2 with 10 weeks left to go in the regular season is not fiscally responsible. It does make sense though since you worked in government for a few years.
3. Left Handed Corn Dogz (2-1) Last Week: 1
A tough loss last week doesn’t diminish what this team has done so far and the potential that they have going forward. Kyren Williams is looking like the steal of the draft so far and James Conner isn’t too far behind. Throw that in with Justin Jefferson as your WR1 and skill-wise, you are mostly set. However, just like me, your QB situation is a dumpster fire every week where you are hoping that Watson finally figures it out – that he’s a scumbag that doesn’t belong in the league and should be jailed.
2. Team Suspension (2-1) Last Week: 3
To echo Al’s opinion last week, odd year Kaelan is the best version of Kaelan in this league. McCaffrey in the 49ers offense is just on a different level right now and Hurts overcame a flu to still put up respectable numbers. I wonder if his tush ever hurts from all the pushing his teammates give him in the behind? The only drawback to this team is that you have 3 Carolina players on your bench – why? I mean, if you keep on winning, sure do whatever you want. But why? They stink. And it’s all because of Matt Rhule. Screw that guy.
1. Saqoun Deez Nuts (3-0) Last Week: 2
The fantasy gods have smiled upon 1 team and that is Ethan’s squad right here. Taking an
auto-drafted team and going 3-0 is the achievement of the year. No Barkley last week? No problem, he’ll still put up over 150 on you. Herbert has taken another step this year. Pollard is building off of his season last year. The only question mark on this team is that your WRs are old and prone to injuries (Samuel, Allen, Beckham). Keep working the waiver wire to build up depth in that area and the sky is the limit for you this year.
Week 4 Game Preview
Game of the Week
Big time matchup and another Taylor Swift sighting – can Kelce continue to build the love connection and score in the end? Tune in to SNF to find out!
Other Games
Can a new name save my beloved fantasy team? Or will Suspension roll over me en route to another playoff? I hope it’s the former.
This has the feel of a potential playoff tiebreaker. I’ll make the bet now – whoever wins this gets into the playoffs.
With the benefit of hindsight, Aaron Jones should not have been played against the Lions rush defense. A tough matchup gets tougher for Daren this week.
Aaron should be able to notch his first victory of the season. If he doesn’t, he is out of the playoffs which is a huge shame.
Al is praying that he avoids another season-ending injury this week. That would count as a win in his book.
Good luck to everyone and may you all bow in the presence of my Lions who whipped the Packers in Lambeau. Did I cry tears of happiness? You bet your asses I did.
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