Power Rankings Week 12

The g0dz had two last chances to tighten the playoff race, but let them go by in week 11. TigerMountain and Phat Girlz both sported beatable scores but playoff outsiders Neckbloodz and Trichs couldn't take advantage. As a result the playoff six are all but decided, with four officially rendered.  Now a still-tight race for playoff byes will command attention at one end while Moral Victory points standings.  Sign of the times - the Babylon freebie paid off this week. That about says it all. Some are born to sweet delight, some are born to endless night...

1. (1) Aethernauts - (9-2) - Zeus seemed to toy with the idea of stripping the Aetherials of their thunderbolt and bye-lead in week 11, before blessing Gray with four touchdowns and over 40 touches in a SNF blowout. With Murray on bye it seemed like the Nauts might drift landward and be vulnerable to a dangerous Polk spoiler.  Sanders entering the concussion protocol, might mean that the Nauts are forced to thrust Gordon into the spotlight untested.  Flash aaaa-aah, he'll save everyone of us...

2.  (2)  Phat Girlz - (8-3) -  The Girlz went in for a terrific lowball in week 11 and only narrowly came away with a victory thanks to some big name injuries for the Trichs. Luck nearly missed 20 pts, but managed to scratch them up in garbage time loss, Forte and Cobb were merely very good this week and not world beating, and Ben Tate was a negative impact from the flex. With the RBBC seemingly swinging away from him Tate was dropped by the Browns and AP suspended by the NFL the Girlz could be in for a moderate downgrade losing two prospective ground options in the same day. Luckily Sankey appears to be at least a serviceable RB2 as long as Mettenburger can keep the Tennessee offense moving somewhat.  

3. (4)  Dijonaise All Stars (8-3)   -  Col. Mustard and the Condiments have been all too spicy lately.  With A-Rodg fast closing in on QB1 by points, and a season-long hold on Foster handcuff Blue finally paying off they won again big time in week 11. The addition of Mike Evans as an smash breakout hero at WR lends some heft to a sometimes thin air attack. The Mustard Men might be a touch behind on a points tie-breaker for bye, but big scores in the last two weeks have them catching up quick. 

4. (3) TakingTigerMountain  (8-3) - The Mountain came into MNF needing Antonio Brown the points #1 WR to equal his 14 point projection to eek out a win - he got 15.  It's been that kind of season for Brown and TTM. Antonio has been a target beast and reliably proficient in the endzone. TTM on the other hand bid big and lost early on AP as an every down back, and have seen Brees' numbers take a big slide toward mediocrity and Jimmer battle injuries. Currently sporting a 4-0, 0-3, 4-0 record breakdown, it's worth wondering what direction the ski lift will be headed in week 14. Playoff bound, the Tigers get the hibernating Shocks next week before a playoff preview with the Nauts, where TTM could potentially play their way into a bye. The Tigers are still #2 by points, but only 3 slim points ahead of the Nauts - statistical dead heat. 

5 (5) BuildingDwellingThinking  (7-4) - BDT active again in the trade department, still got crushed on Cowboy's bye week. De-investing in Dez may prove a smart move if Romo can't go, and certainly Denard Robinson's acquisition looks fortuitous now that Montee Ball's injury has reoccurred. That said, it's some strange juju for Cowboyatti to go dally with Redskins QBs. With Crowell, Bryce Brown and Robinson the Deep Thinkers can play "guess the flex" week to week. The loss here has to put them on yellow alert - they'll loose seeding to the Ferries on points if they fall into a tie and an upset by the Bloodz next week could cast them into purgatory. 

6. (6)  SanFranciscoFerries (6-5)-  The Ferrries docked their boat at the postseason warf, simply awaitng permission to deboard. A resounding 157 point game sunk rival BDT and moved them above .500. Massive days for the Bell and Lacy ground express powered the win, supported by Wilson's first time over 20 pts in five weeks and a pair of double digits from LSU wideouts Beckham and Landry. What's more the big game put them 5th by points, ahead of other contenders (BDT, OF, Trichs and Homespun).  An insurgent for the 6 spot (like the Spinners or Future) would need the Ferries to drop both remaining games and surrender their points advantage.  With two tough opponents remaining the Frisco Kids can't rest, but one win should put them in officially, and two might push them up to the five slot. 

7.  (9) Old Future (4-7)  - The Futurists made a case to stay in the playoff race by smashing the shock, putting up 120+ even with a substandard Peyton game.  The astute pick-up of Jordan Matthews worked for a second straight week, as did a wire agent paydown CJ Anderson. T-Rich has injury-lucked into a bell cow job in Indy.  They're about 70 points south of the Ferries, but with Manning at the helm a crooked number or two wouldn't be surprising. 

8. (7)  Homespun Neckbloodz (5-6) -  The Bloodz lost a heartbreaker to TTM in the waning moments of the 3rd quarter of MNF. The Spinners got what they needed, a low-scoring game where the Tiger's blue chips largely avoided the endzone. Unfortunately, the Bloodz were similarly allergic with the notable exception of Brandon Marshall's double dip.  Still points poor, the Bloodz need two wins and some help to keep playoff dreams alive. They could pass BDT by points at 7-6 by making up a 107 point deficit. Or they could pass the Ferries by win percentage if the Boatmen lose out. Neither is particularly likely, bu the Cyclotron gets a chance to help its own cause playing BDT in week 12. Even if they're out, winning one of two could guarantee a(n underrated) Consolation Tourney bye.

9. (7)  Trichs  (3-8) - Finally the Trichs' playoff ambitions were put out of their misery by a second loss to rival Phat Girlz in week 11.   Tantalizingly within reach, the Girlz drifted well into upset range, but the Pullers couldn't take advantage. Bradshaw's snapped ankle was the last straw so to speak, but Julius Thomas injury was the first.  Another massive J.J. Watt game (3rd double digit) buoyed the Trichs' hopes. But with mediocre QB play and receivers on teams struggling to find the endzone there just wasn't an upset left to pull.  The Trichs are still very much in play for moral victory, but probably need triple digits in both remaining contests to fend off late challenges from Polk and Pelican. 

10. (11)  Pelican Brief (3-8) - The Pelicans limped to the finish of a bruising week 11 contest, outclassed by a powerful Dijonaise squad. They loose Allen and Jennings to injuries and watched Brady suffer his first sub. 20 point game in five weeks. Lynch and Mason continue to power through, but couldn't find any paydirt to leverage the Legal Eagles here. A surprising 30 from Green Bay's D/St on the bench would have been a weird and wacky play, but it does emphasize the degree to which the Seattle D/ST has been a disappointment as a keeper. 

11. (12)  Polk High Panthers (2-9) -  Polk really had a good shot at a 12/1 upset in week 11.  A Bellicheck inspired fantasy party (Faulk Flashback?) for Jonas Gray undercut the win, but does nothing to dim the nice point total for the Panthers. Charles continues to bravely soldier on in the middle of the field, racking up 29 on two scores. They're still in play for the Moral Victory after a Trichs lowball, so there's plenty to play for. 

12. (10) Shock_Pix  (3-8) - After a brief heady stint in contention the Shock returned to its old ways, leaving the lineup spots fallow. Would it have made a difference? Probably not this week, although Hill was spectacular on the bench.  But the fire went out of the Pixies in week 9, so roster maintenance and maximization are out the window. 

Week 8 Power Rankings

Week 7 returned to the odd week bell curve with two on top, two on the bottom and ten hugging within a game over/under .500.  Average score takes a dip to 103.9.  3 were over 120 and and 7/14 passed 100. 

 1. (2)  Polk High Panthers  (6-1) - the All-City Bundys looked every bit the part of a playoff team as they secured their sixth win over a bye-hobbled Tiger squad. But credit for style points here too, the Panthers were top three in scoring this week, and fourth in points overall.  They featured all their weapons, multiple TDs from Megatron and AJ - and a huge bounce-back game from Ryan in the gun.  F-Jax's injury has the potential to derail the Bundys playoff bye dreams, but they're driving the train at the midway point. 

 2. (5) Tusken Raiders (5-2)  - #2 with a blaster! The Raiders knocked the Girlz out and sold them to the Hutts as slaves.  D-Jax hiccuped on the QB inconsistency in Philly. But Charles is close to a sure thing this year. Woodhead, Cameron and Hopkins added a TD a piece. If RGIII's best game of the season is a sign of things to come, that makes Tusken FC a serious contender in the second half.

3. (8) Trichs  (4-3) - Another high card for General Far East. We've said they're the deepest team before and it's standing them in good stead during the bye weeks - that's three straight for the Pullers.  When Gore and Keeper-nick are both over 20 pts the General will be a tough out. Not many teams have the luxury of sitting MJD and Stacy.

T. 4.  (1) Pelican Brief - (4-3)  - The Brief were burnt by the Bolt and drop one to the insurgent Trichs.  It's a hard one to take, not so much because of the opponent (the Trichs have been b34sting) but the Pelican's own performance - the Legal Thrillers fall to sixth in scoring with a 73 this week.   Brady's second single digit is conerning in field full of Big Air teams. Getting on the Blowout of the Week ad will cost you this year, and CJ?K is a surer thing than Hillis this side of 2010 (actually, it didn't work out as badly as we thought, but still, the dude was on his ranch last week).  

T. 4. (T.9) Aethernauts (4-3) - The Nauts pick up their second straight win and move into the top 6 in scoring.  2 TDs for Jaquiz helped fill out the roster as Smith and Lynch pitched in endzone work as well.  Doing it minus Murray dodged a serious bullet for the Explorers, but the danger zone extends over several weeks.  With Lynch and the Newton/Smith double titration the Nauts have a high ceiling.
 

6. (4) TakingTigerMountain (4-3) - the Mountain dropped their third straight on the Saints bye week.  The Cowboys were not fooled by Foles' mustache Spiller continues to be a slow-motion bust. Still the team is Brees and Graham, so the whole season depends on that ankle being/getting healthy. 

7. (3)  Dijonaise All Stars  (4-3) - the Mustard Men lost a prime opportunity to move into the league's elite by lowballing against a beatable Commish.  Worse, Foster tweaked his hammy and without him their ground game is just Vulture Tolbert.  A-Rodg had a great bounce back week, but Dijon's double titration is gone with Jones on the shelf. 

8. (T.9) Grossman Sachs (3-4) - the g0dbank executed the put option on Arian Foster's hamstring to perfection and reaped a huge win on a vulnerable week.  Alshon provided the only double digit among position players and the Sachs topped out at 90.  Still, they're the fifth highest in points and Peyton is still QB1.  Percy has a shot to play in week 8 but is he free of the Tebow telepathic headache syndrome?

9 (T. 6) Phat Girlz (3-4)  - The Girlz were minus Sproles on the Saints bye and struggled on the ground with handcuff Tate and timeshare Miller.  Stafford was 25+ for the second week in a row and RGIII's performance can only be good news for Garcon.  Ranking 10th in points the Girlz need to start training for a heavier weight class if they're going to win a tiebreaker.

10. (12) SanFranciscoFerries (3-4)  - The Bay Area Boatmen picked up their third straight and continue to ferry the season back from the land of the dead.  Currently 9th in points the Ferries have been over 110 for four straight weeks now.  Gronk was "eased" back into action with a 11 pt game and Vinateri hit for 16, while the Ferries parked almost exactly on their projection.  Everybody else got some but not a lot.  Good games from Lacy and Wilson were left on the bench here, but not needed because of BDT's  energy vortex lowball.

T. 11. (11) Homespun Neckbloodz  (4-3) - The Cyclotron picked up a much needed win to stop the bleeding and keep their playoff hopes alive. Unfortunately they missed the opportunity to rack up much in the way of Stylez points.  A gamble bid on Jacobs failed to pay off spectacularly and leaves the Spinners in a bit of a lurch. Now 13th in scoring and entering a tough bye week they'll need to take scalps every week to stay in the hunt. 

T. 11. (T. 6) BuildingDwellingThinking  (3-4) - Sucked into the energy vortex of the Emerald Triangle the German Philosophers were immune to the indignities of sound drubbing by their West Coast rivals.   The NFC East shootout never materialized and Romo threw more picks than TDs, too bad because a long TD pass to Dez here could have made this one close.  The Ravens are still struggling to block for Rice.   Finley ended the week in the ICU, leaving BDT with hole to fill at TE. 

13. (12)  Goslings (2-5) - the Pretty Boys lost a true squeaker to the Nauts by all of 1.88 pts. Injury to insult, Reggie Wayne is gone for the season and with him the Goslings' feared double titration with Luck.  Alone at 2-5 and 11th in points the Goslings are fading fast - they need L-Mac and Luck to carry them.  They'll be happy to take their Stylez points next week.

14. (14)  PrimordialLifestyles (0-7)  - Muscle Hamster's injury adds to the absences on PL's fallow roster.