Week 5 Power Rankings

Week 4 heightened the early separation among the tiers, with a first round of 150+ scores and a the maintenance of the undefeated clique atop the rankings.   Two winless trawl the depths and two still without a 100 point game. But as we saw last year, streaks can happen. Teams can change direction radically and rapidly.  It's possible that one or several top 10 players (by points at year end) at any skill position are currently un-rostered, or will hit the wire in the next few weeks. The winners can't rest, the losers can't give up and the middle just keeps on grindin'.

1.  (2)  Phat Girlz - (4-0) - Luck is the league's fantasy QB1 by a comfortable length, now sporting back to back 30+ point games. Aesthetically, the Girlz well-rounded form is pleasing. A top passer with a double-titration option. A blue chip RB in Forte. A borderline WR1 in Cobb.  And a little bit of depth with Tate/Sankey/Greene. 

2. (3) Aethernauts - (4-0) - The Nauts win the Golden Goose award with a Vegas worthy pick of the lesser Manning, sparsely rostered this week, much less started.  It was a powerful gamble that paid off in a smashing Thursday Night bonanza.   Eli's hardly dependable and Cam continues to look less than start-able. But Murray is fantasy's RB1, and Ivory has a firm hold on his job as well. Signs of life from the Cheesehead offense upgrade Jordy's potential, when he's Rodgers' top endzone target the Nauts will be breathing rare air.

3. (2) TakingTigerMountain  (4-0) - The Tigers joined their undefeated brethren in a nice crooked number in week 4, but lack some of the construction for dependability of the other two early elite teams. Specifically, the increasing likelihood that AP will not return to buoy their ground game - Brown's unexpected WR1 has hidden some of their scoring deficiencies, but can't be expected to continue forever. Week 4 is a good illustration of the Mountain's potential as a TD dependent high-mid swing team.  The axis of production returns to the Crescent City Connection - Brees to Graham.  If it's interrupted the Tigers will need this win cushion to prevent another calamitous fall out of the playoff race. 

4.  (5) BuildingDwellingThinking  (3-1)- Romo looked his best in multiple years on Sunday Night and no-surprise BDT rises on that tide. They've got a solid strategy of young RBs backing Morris in the RB2 slot. Khiry, McKinnon, Brown and Gerhart - they'll work hard to hold onto that depth. Realistically how far they can go depends entirely on Romo continuing his trend of improved play. 

5. (4)  SanFranciscoFerries (2-2)- The Ferries got crushed by PG's big offense, but still put up triple digits. The Bay Area Boatmen are still searching for that high end potential.  But a first double digit game from Lacy, along with a sparking Packers offense, are the life-signs they need.   Welker's recovery and re-placement in Denver's offense will go along way toward establishing a high-water mark.

6.  (7) Old Future (1-3)  - The Future put up another +110 effort and again got clipped by another good team. Their losses have come at the expense of three of the top four teams currently, so there's bound to be better days ahead.On Manning's bye, it's no big surprise to drop a game, but Matty-Ice filled in reliably nonetheless. With that job done it should be interesting to see if Ryan (currently #2 QB by points) is worth more as trade fodder or bench insurance for the uncertain future.

7. (10)  Homespun Neckbloodz (2-2) - Doping up a second straight win and return to .500 are the Bloodz.  It was a "just enough" kind of day for the Spinners, who saw Foles show the cold side of Mercury, and V-Jax save a nothing day with a dramatic TD catch. Smith Sr. and Donnell did the heavy lifting  With Nio-Gio and Ellington on bye the Bloodz caught a big break cherry-picking a win here and putting their season back on track.

8. (9)  Polk High Panthers (1-3) - The Panthers were Tiger bait in the cat battle. Megatron got decoy duty and Green was on bye - top two weapons not firing is a recipe for rout.  The good news is that R-burger looks up to playing QB2 and Jamaal came through his return looking ready to be the arrowhead. 

9. (11)  Dijonaise All Stars (2-2)   - The Mustard Men took a nice clean win from the Shocks in week 4. Rivers is playing near QB1 status so far, if Arian can get healthy enough, they'll spread a few wins around if teams linger in the  mid-range. 

10. (7)  Trichs  (0-4) - like their top draft pick Shady, this season has started as a slow motion disaster. A second straight miniscule performance from the blue chip RB leaves the Trichs in a big hole. If the Eagles can figure out how to block for McCoy,  at least Martin appears healthy as a companion ground attack. With a mobile QB2 and a brace of RB2s there's still hope for the initial game-plan here. The Trichs are the best pick to pull a SFF streak and pluck their way back into the race.

11. (9)  Pelican Brief (0-4)-  No player is more central to a team's success than Lynch on the Brief, so it's hard to find fault in loss where he's on bye.  But a bold (WOPR? WLKR?) based decision to sit Brady in favor of Cousins was correct, but not pretty.   The bigger concern is that the Brief hasn't broken its hundo cherry yet. There's precious few teams to beat in double digits. 

12. (12) Shock_Pix  (1-3) -  Fresh off a world-shattering win, the Shock went on a line-up-setting spree. Freshening up the roster and cutting dead weight.   Hill, Harvin, and Demaryius on bye, this was an unlikely time for a second straight upset. With a decent QB, WR1 and a collection of RBs-with-jobs we may not have seen the last shock of this season.

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Week 6 saw three close games all with playoff implications go inside 10 points in the fourth quarter of Monday Night Football.  The excitement didn't produce many upsets, however. At the midseason mark the league striated into an elite (4-2 or above) of six teams and a preterit (1-5) of three teams. In between are three squads, one at 2-4 and two at 3-3 who will try to claw their way into the top half.  Even the preterit is not out of it, although one more loss would probably ice it. Week 7 is another all in-division mash up for pecking order in the respective schools.


1.) TakingTigerMountain (last week 2)  5-1
The Mountain proved too much for the Explorers club in Week 6's Eleatic showdown, and TTM now stands alone atop the division with a 4-0 division record.  They're not the highest scoring team, the deepest or the most well rounded, but they are in a position to control their own destiny.  Stafford continues to find a way to be productive, but scoring a first half TD now and again is always appreciated.  AP failed to find the endzone again, but has been a workhorse on the ground and in the air.  Spiller picked up his best game since his injury out of the timeshare, which doesn't appear to be ending any time soon so his upside is capped at flex.  Maclin returned for a b34stly hedge against Vick in the 4th quarter.

Next week -HomeSpunNeckBloodz - TTM will defend their perfect division record against the Bloodz who have run their streak to three.  Down three wideouts on byes, they'll need a spot starter here. But there are plenty of byes on the other side too.  MJD will be back, we'll see if a bye made the offense any less flimsy.

2.) BldgDW3LL1NGTh1nk1ng   (last week T.3)   4-2
-BDT beat the Raiders like a rag doll, taking out the evident aggressions of a two game losing streak and resulting in the week-high-score.  Romo/Bryant hooked up for the first time in BDT tenure, easing some of the critics of the squad's wheeling and dealing, at least for the moment.  No less than seven double digits contributed in this one, not counting a 20 and a 12 on the bench. Including a combined 37 out of the daring duo of Foster/Rice.  If these two keep up their pace, the Heideggerians will be thinking about securing the playoff bye before long.  Watt has arrived as a fantasy powerhouse, a little commented on necessity of PSAS champions.  He's leading the league in sacks and has picked up more than six points in every contest so far.

Next week  - SanFranciscoFerries - another in-division as BDT seeks to protect their perfect Milesian line.  It's not a gimme by any means.  But there are some plus match ups here.  Britt looked productive for the first time and could be a serious sleeper against Buffalo.

3.)  GrossmanSachs  (last week T. 3) 4-2
-The Sachs maintained contact with Milesian leading BDT in Week 6 with a key win over the Ferries, it wasn't flashy, but it was over 110.  The Sachs are the second highest scoring team in the league so far, with the fifth highest scores against them.  Aaron Rodgers got some help from his friends in the form of circus catches to work his 6 TDs, but it is a reminder of the style of Packers offense that makes him a dominant fantasy asset even in blowout games.   Still touring Europe in search of adequate RB help, the Sachs need Rodgers to be top-3 dominant in order to hang around in the blue chips.  Game ball has to go to a sweet match-up play of Tampa's DEF vs. the Chiefs.

Next week - ThePelicanBrief - in a Super Trade match-up the Sachs will start down White and McGahee on byes against  a largely intact Legal Thrillers squad.  This one should be fun regardless, since it's chock full of implications for  the Milesian and playoffs.   Arodg has the better play against the Rams while RGIII faces Giants DEF that contained Cam earlier this season.


4.) AEthernauts  (Last week - #1) -  4-2
The Zeppeliners couldn't find their land legs as their running game slowed to a halt against their rivals at the Mountain.  Vick's turnovers continue to be a problem, although he's still producing something.  Missing their Saints running tandem the Nauts were forced to go with Turner and Ridley, who both low-balled.  Baltimore's D suffered a couple of key injuries during the game, and is probably a match up play at best for the remainder of the season. 

Next week - Pr1m0rdi4lLyfestylz® - the Nauts get a mismatch with the Stylez in week 6 a prime opportunity to hold serve and stay in the hunt for the Eleatic banner.  They'll be without Vick and McCoy here, but the Stylez bye gaps are even more extensive.


T.5.) HomeSpunNeckBloodz (last week T. 6)   4-2
-The Spinners drained a third straight victory in dramatic fashion with Manning driving them from behind on MNF.  The Bloodz stay in the hunt in the Eleatic, tied with the Nauts for record. Secret weapon Vincent Jackson contributed a big blow with 18 on a bye week filler.  They left an even more unlikely 17 on the bench in the form of fellow Tampa WR Mike Williams.  An improbably 11 from CJ?K on TNF also contributed welcome surprise points here.  He's got Buffalo next week, a nice chance to go full-b34st.

Next week - TakingTigerMountain- The Homespun crew get a shot at the top in Week 7 playing the Mountain.  They'll get their Chicago players back, but miss Manning at QB.  They'll be the underdogs here, but Chicago could easily walk all over Detroit on MNF, and the Bloodz Monday mojo has been strong lately.

T. 5.) Phat Girlz (last week T. 5)  4-2

-Digging their nails into the Thunderbolt the Girlz rode out the clock on a 1.8 point victory over the Stylez.  Whether the g0dz favor is waning or at its best in a nail-biter is anyone's guess.  There were no real b34st on the Girlz squad in week 6, but everybody got a little something.  Their IDP combined for an impressive 23.  The Girlz may need SJax to find double digits to truly break out.

Next week -Cincinnati Dangles - The Girlz stay in the Eleatic trying to keep ahead of the pack by stepping on the Cincinnati club.  The Girlz will miss Matthews but get their Saints back.  The Girlz should run out two hedges to Brees.  If they both find paydirt, the Girlz streak could stretch to five.



T. 7.)  Cincinnati Dangles (last week 5)   3-3
-Mirroring last year's strange luck the Dangles are the top scoring team so far, and yet have only a .500 record to show for it.  What's more their opponents aren't on average the highest scores against, so there's a point swing factor at work here.  They're 3-1 when they break 110, but 0-2 when they don't. But their lowest so far - 98 vs. the commish in week 1. The Dangles dropped a heartbreaker to the Bloodz, watching their lead leach away in the waning moments of MNF.  The good news is that Breesus' bye is now past, and health permitting, the Dangles can ride his attempt to throw the Saints back into wildcard contention.  Another monster day from WR1 Green and the Atlanta defense hid the lack of production on the ground. The Dangley ones need to keep em crossed that T-Rich and Mendy can get healthy and be a factor in Week 7. 

Next week -Phat Girlz - The Dangles have a chance to upset the league's hottest club and drop back into the wildcard picture.  They'll be missing their Atlantans but if Brees isn't stymied by the Tampa 2, then the Dangles could well drop 'em on the Girlz chins.


T. 7.) ThePelicanBrief  (last week 7)  3-3
-The Brief hung on for dear life are nearly got pulled out by the Trichs on MNF.  What can't be denied is that the Legal Thrillers possess the single most valuable fantasy asset of 2012 in RGIII.  He's a game changer all by himself.  Indeed, his 76 yard TD run more than accounted for the margin of victory here. Welker and Run DMC both turned in nice performances here, as did FJax, who looks no closer to escaping his timeshare.   The Pelicans are two down in division play, they'll get their shot to climb the ladder with 5 more Milesian school games to play, none bigger than the Sachs this weekend. 

Next week -GrossmanSachs The Brief takes a shot at the Bank in week 7.  The Sachs will be missing two key components.  This could be a prime "prove it" game in the Milesian.  If RGIII can solve the Giants then the Grishamites may well walk away with an upset.  It's a must-win for the Brief, a win keeps their division hopes alive and a loss casts their wildcard chances into purgatory.

9.)  SanFranciscoFerries (last week 10)   2-4
-The Ferries dropped their third straight against the Sachs this week.  This was going to  be a tough one without their Panthers, but the Ferries got production out of their replacements.  Ponder picked up 19 in a spot start.  But, boy did they pick the wrong game to sit Greene who picked up 34 in the Jets romp over the Colts.  It would have made all the difference this week.  Another big game for the Giants defense, who may be coming into their own as a DEF1. 

Next week -BldgDW3LL1NGTh1nk1ng - the road to the playoffs goes through the their in division rivals.  SFF get CamAngelo back and Martin has a plus matchup with the Saints.  If Greene can get going against New England, there's no reason the Ferries couldn't steal one here.


T. 10.) Trichotillomaniacs (last week T. 10) 1-5
-This year's heartbreak kids nearly stole one from the Brief on MNF, coming within four of picking off a win from the heavy favorites.  30 from Jordy Nelson brought them back into the conversation and a late sack by Dumervil gave him 11, but couldn't come any closer to what would have been the most shocking comeback in recent memory.  It usually takes at least seven victories to advance to the playoffs, so obviously the Trichs need to get busy.  But those wins come one at a time.  Nicks at least got back into action, if he can work his way back to the top of the depth chart the Trichs ceiling will rise accordingly. BTW, who's the #3 fantasy RB?  Morris, that's right...

Next week -    Tusken Raiders - the Trichs get a golden opportunity to start a run against the ice cold Raiders.  One of these teams will be 2-5 and one will be 1-6 after the game.  What's more the Raiders are facing a ton byes at once.  After the Tuskens the Trichs will play four straight clubs who currently have winning records.

T. 10.) Pr1m0rdi4lLyfestylz®  (last week T. 10)  1-5
-The Stylez came within a hairsbreadth of a key week 6 victory on MNF.  Just 2.6 points away, with both Floyd and Miller active on a final throwing drive for the game, a final turnover sealed their fate.  Brutal as their season has been, Murray's injury could be the nail in the coffin here.  There's not much depth behind him at RB, unless the g0dz will an injury favoring one of their handcuffs.

Next week -AEthernauts  - the Stylez will try to drop the Nauts down to earth by handing them their second straight loss in the Eleatic. With a brace of big byes, the Stylez would have to hit the wire hard and then catch a whole bunch of breaks to walk out of week 7 a winner.

12.) Tusken Raiders (last week T.10) 1-5
-It's already winter on Tatooine as the Sand People were ice cold for their Milesian showdown with BDT. It was a perfect storm of nothing that brought the Raiders their 5th straight loss. Only Bradshaw picked up double digits. When a team fires their defensive coordinator, it's a pretty safe time to drop their team defense.

Next week -Trichotillomaniacs - the Battle in the Basement will give one team hope and all but eliminate the other. The Raiders have six players on their roster on byes,  including both QBs.