Week 3 P0\/\/3R R4/\/k1/\/Gz

Week 2 saw an arithmetic move to the middle.  4 of the 6 week one winners picked up a second victory, leaving each division with pairs of teams at 2-0, 1-1, and 0-2 respectively.  Of the four 0-2 only one was a playoff team last year.  Of the four undefeated, three are 2nd round playoff teams from last year.  Neither end of the mega-trade played to a high level in Week 2, but with Rodgers conservative numbers, you'd have to give round 1 to the Brief and their sorely needed ground game from Frank the Tank.    Is it just me or do half the teams need a tight end this week?  That and the big three QBs from last year are all struggling - is the  QB-era over already?  Week 2's that wonderful kind of time, where the season starts to take shape but everybody's still in play.  It's a cool, early autumn week in New York, a good time for trades, unpacking sweaters, and reminiscing about last years OWS battle scars, even if they are from VD.  Set a course for Rankings -  engage.



1.) AEthernauts  (Last week - #1) -  2-0
The Aetherials have found the track they left off last season and soared to another big win in week 2 over Eleatic challengers Spinners. No one was spectacular this week, but everyone was on the board.  QB Vick put up 21, and Megatron has yet to break out with only 9 and the Jags checked the Andre down to a 2.  McCoy and Sproles both put up double digits, and  Turner sat the bench in favor of Ridley who rolled a 9. The Nauts were in the bottom third of the league in scoring this week, a downgrade will be all but inevitable if the air game doesn't break out.    

Next week - Cincinnati Dangles  -  The mercurial Cincinnati franchise is a danger to all around it.  If the AEthernauts descend below triple digits, they'll be ripe for an upset. 

2.) TakingTigerMountain (last week 3)  2-0-Massive days from Spiller (predicted) and the Packers D/ST, Clay Matthews (unpredicted) hid TTM's QB weakness in Week 2.  Matt Stafford struggled mightily against the best pass defense in the NFC, but did manage to hit Pettigrew for a garbage time double titration.  With Luck's first bench success under his belt, TTM's QB controversy is always only one loss away. QB issues aside, as long as TTM holds three bell-cow RBs you can pencil them for blue-chip - opponents should be vigorously rooting for F-Jax's rehab. 

Next week -  Pr1m0rdi4lLyfestylz®  - In an obvious "Yikes" match-up this Commish bowl features growing antagonism, public grudges, lawsuits and a desperate Primordial squad in an in-division shoot out.  We expect to see a range of bets on the current commish's expected misstep here.


3.) BldgDW3LL1NGTh1nk1ng   (last week 5)   2-0
-Heidegger's crew picked up a skin-of-their-teeth MNF victory with kicker Matt Bryant finishing off a new look Pelicans squad. BDT won despite drawing two zeros and a  7 from QB2 Schaub.  When they win the story will involve premium backs Rice and Foster who combined for 34.  But this week they got some love from their air attack with Nicks getting the main benefits of the Giants comeback and Lafell drawing 11 as a sleeper pick.  With Gates and Britt still question marks BDT needs a fuller bench stat, or we'll likely see a downgrade next week.

Next week -  GrossmanSachs  - they'll play the other half of the mega trade in week 3, but don't count on Rodgers going as quietly against Seattle this time.

4.) Tusken Raiders (last week 9) 1-1
-In triple digits for the 2nd week in a row, the Raiders picked up an upset over the Ferries in Week 2.  Massive games from Bowe and Bush, together 53, fueled the furnace.  Redman had 9 on their bench, and Bush will get increased looks if Forte misses time.  It could fit nicely with for Tusken FC, if Bradshaw misses a start with his neck injury.  Luck's emergence could make Wayne a viable flex option going forward. Matty Ice and Philip Rivers give the a solid two QB option.    They still need a few more breaks to "show" as long term, but things are starting to look up for the Sand People.

Next week - ThePelicanBrief  - The Tuskens face a tough test against the new look Brief, they'll need to be in triple digits for a third straight week to compete here.

5.)  SanFranciscoFerries (last week 4)   1-1
-The San Francisco Treats' luck ran out in Week 2 as they caught a hot Tuskens FC and took a deathblow from Matty Ice on MNF.  The good news is that carry-over stars Newton and Cruz got down to work in week 2, combining for 58 of their 109.  Jamaal Charles has to be the biggest question mark here, it's been a good while since he's been b34st.  Without him approaching 2010 levels, SFF will roll with a variety of RB2.  Their wildcard week-to-week may be kicking god Akers, who is perfect on the year and perfectly placed in a good-but-not-great offense. 

Next week -  Trichotillomaniacs  - The Ferries will look to rebound against an upwardly mobile Trichs team and pull their way above .500.

6.)  GrossmanSachs  (last week 7) 2-0
-Aaron Rodgers' Sachs' debut failed to impress, but a series of other low-balls sent the Sachs profits careening wildly in Week 2.  They needed miracle-producing visor-aficionado Willis McGahee in the closing minutes of MNF to pull it out.  Fitzgerald got shut down by the Pats.  Fred Davis has yet to find a groove with RGIII, and evidently suffered a concussion.  Oakland's D/ST took the ever-painful negative number. Miles Austin and D-Jax (bench) both picked up double digits in the receiving corps.   Hillis may show increasing signs of life if Charles continues to run like a dead fish for the Chiefs. 

Next week - BldgDW3LL1NGTh1nk1ng - the Sachs will look to knock BDT out of the top tier with a first powerful A-Rodg game of the season.     

7.) HomeSpunNeckBloodz (last week 2)   1-1
-The Spinners missed out on a big "show-me" opportunity in Week 2 against the Nauts.  But there's plenty of reason to think that they're a legit playoff threat this year. Peyton's neck held up in another shoot out, even if his numbers bottomed out.  V-Jax's big day gave the Bloodz their Tampa mojo, and if the Buc's offense proves seaworthy this year he's probably going to be a big part of it.  CJ?K's struggles will stay front page news until the Titans find a blocking scheme or he gets a little more creative.  Forte's ankle injury will likely keep the Bloodz out of blue chip for the short term.  But Hernandez's knee injury will force them to go to the wire.

Next week - Phat Girlz  - if the Bloodz can't sift out some help from their bench/wire they'll be an underdog against a ready-to-surge Girlz club.




8.)  Cincinnati Dangles (last week 10)   1-1
-The Dangles picked up a key win over the Primordial ones, despite Brees' continued mediocrity.  Trent Richardson showed up in a big way, dropping 25.  The Green-Ellis law firm picked up another handy double digit, as did AJ Green.  It was enough to cover for a major fantasy mistake, leaving premium receiver Jennings in the lineup though he was out for the Thursday night game.    Though the Dangles didn't have a lot of options to sub, you've got to watch out for those pre-Sunday match-ups.  They still beat 100 this week, but left the door open to a possible Primordial MNF comeback.


Next week -AEthernauts - the Dangles will take a shot at the top with a tough AEthernauts matchup.  If Brees can find his rhthym against KC, the Dangles should be in the mix.

T.9.) Pr1m0rdi4lLyfestylz®  (last week 7)  0-2
- the Primordial Ones remained mired in an early season funk in Week 2, dropping one to the Dangles.  Brady hit Gronk again, but failed to provide solid QB1 numbers.   Meanwhile Ben Tate picked up big numbers vs. Jacksonville on the bench.  A predicted 2 WR in a shootout on MNF never materialized to pull them out of a 35 point hole. 

Next week -TakingTigerMountain  - the Commish-bowl will be a tough fought battle this week. Brady/Gronk will revisit last year's AFC championship vs. Baltimore on SNF.  A ray of hope could be Leshoure's reinstatement for the Lions, if he returns to a starting role as predicted.  

T.9.) ThePelicanBrief  (last week 5)  0-2
- BDT spoiled RGIII's debut in Week 2, but there are plenty of reasons to expect big things from the Legal Thrillers.  Frank Gore looked sharp in his trade debut.  Bennett picked up a TD in Eli's rally.  Welker and Smith were both good parts of the air game.  Run DMc low-balled as the Raiders got blown out in Miami, but he's still healthy.  There's the makings of a full team here, we'll see how soon the pieces come together.

Next week - Tusken Raiders- PB will have to get their briefs in order sooner rather than later if they want to avoid going 0-3.  The Raiders should present a good challenge for the new look squad.

11.) Phat Girlz (last week 11)  0-2
-The Girlz plowed ahead with the tough start to their schedule, but ran into the Mountainside this week.  It was a marked improvement from week 1, with Eli throwing for over 500 yards.  Lynch, Wallace and Graham all put up double digits. Benson even put up 11 on the bench.  The good news is that Matthews is reportedly back for Week 3.  If true, it could be balm to the Girlz chafed thighs.

Next week -HomeSpunNeckBloodz- with the Bloodz reeling from injury, the Girlz could be in for an even fight if they can get all hands on deck.

12.) Trichotillomaniacs (last week 12) 0-2
-this year's heartbreak kids got a kick in the teeth on MNF with their favorite team scoring late TDs to steal away a fantasy win, and still the Broncs came up short of RL victory.  We're assuming the Maniacs are bald after last night.  Still, despite the new wound, there's hope for the Trichs.  R-burger is looking particularly efficient.  Vernon Davis is a premium TE.  And Alfred Morris is in sole possession of the Shanahan backfield bonanza (at least temporarily).  And Miller now looks like a solid handcuff to Reggie Bush. 

Next week - SanFranciscoFerries- With Stewart on a short week, he might be unavailable, a minor wave in an ocean of woe.  Still  the Ferries are not unbeatable.   If the NFL suspends Turner Overdrive then Rodgers could be in for a spot starting role.