Power Rankings: Week 8
Gather ‘round, gather ‘round.
We’ve reached that magical point in the season where half the league thinks they’re destined for everlasting glory, and the other is half bracing for disappointment while fighting tooth and nail to avoid last place.
Believe it or not, only six weeks remain in the regular season! Let’s see where things stand with only a month and a half remaining.
But first…Happy Halloween!
Henry (6-2)
Last Week: 1st
Hank is settling into his cozy home as the #1 seed in the power rankings. He’s been here so long, I hear he even signed up for a rental insurance policy. Now alone atop the regular season standings as well, in all likelihood he’s just two or three wins away from guaranteeing a postseason appearance. It looks as though Judkins avoided significant injury, which is huge. Hopefully he’ll be strapping on the pads after his Week 9 BYE. I say it every week but I’ll say it once more for good measure. Mr. Fassinger has rattled off three consecutive wins without his 2x MVP under center.
Kyle (5-3)
Last Week: 2nd
Even when the team is good, no one loses quite like Kyle can. But hey - this remains the highest scoring team in GLOAT, and I can’t fault the guy for dropping 140+. Especially when it would have been enough to top every other team in Week 8. What Jonathan Taylor is doing is reminiscent of ‘05 Shaun Alexander and ‘06 LT. It’s absolutely silly. 14 TDs in two months? Even with the bench being non-existent, when everyone is healthy, this is a spooky starting lineup.
Chet & Mike (5-3)
Last Week: 6th
It was looking pretty bleak there for a moment, but Chase Brown is BACK. With Mahomes playing like an MVP, Devonta currently positioned as the WR10, and Kayshon Boutte playing like Randy Moss throughout the month of October, the Burlingame Boys are cooking with gas. If Bill, Ken Walker, or Trey Benson can deliver upon their value, Ring #3 could be within reach. I need to go wash my hands. I feel dirty after typing that.
Brad (4-4)
Last Week: 3rd
Don’t worry. I’m not going to punish you for losing a matchup while being devoid of three of your top four draft picks. Make no mistake, this roster is up there with the best of ‘em. But I have a hard time visualizing a championship banner with Keon Coleman or Matthew Golden in the WR3 slot. They’re just not cutting it. Who knows what’s up with Brandon Aiyuk these days, but it doesn’t look like his return can be relied upon anytime soon. Call me out if I’m wrong, but it’s time to get aggressive and go for it.
Tom (4-4)
Last Week: 7th
AJ Brown and Drake London - who needs ‘em when you have Rashee Rice? My new favorite convict player in fantasy football. I’ve waited patiently, and now I love him with all of my heart. Few WRs have been peppered with targets more than Crashee the past two weeks. Star wideouts aside, the replacements stepped up big time in Week 8 while the mainstay starters took a breather. Tyjae Spears is slowly stepping into FLEX status and Troy Franklin has become a WR4 with upside. Now with the Philly Stack on BYE in Week 8, the backups will look to pick up the slack once more to surpass a .500 record.
Devon (5-3)
Last Week: 5th
Mulligan. Let’s forget all about Week 7 and Week 8. Put it in the past like a ponytail, and trust that the big names will reassert themselves on Sunday. It looks like Puka will be back, and Jaylen Wadle has quietly been a stud down there in South Beach. When I look at this roster, Alvin Kamara is the X factor. If he’s able to get things going again, Devon’s skid will come to an end sooner than later. Up next is my favorite matchup of the week - taking on an equally talented Bradley Kelly with major playoff implications on the line.
Cole (3-5)
Last Week: 4th
Let me be clear - at full health, this is the roster to beat. It might not even be that close. But as losers of three straight, it’s time to get back in the win column before things get out of hand. Otherwise, it won’t matter when Garrett Wilson, Bucky Irving, Nico Collins, and Jayden Reed get back. Another talented lineup awaits in Week 9, and this soon-to-be 30 year old GM may be tasked with breaking the losing streak without the benefit of Terry McLaurin. Again, it’s not a must-win. But it’s almost a must-win.
Peter & Reese (4-4)
Last Week: 9th
I’ve been hard on this team. I can admit that. You deserve better. I love that CMC had an “off game” with almost 70 yards from scrimmage, and the entire fantasy world is up in arms about it. He’s so good. Achane & Pittman ain’t bad either! Xavier Worthy and Jameson Williams hold the key to this roster’s championship aspirations. If those two home run hitters can supplement the rest of the lineup’s production with the occasional explosion, then there’s no reason to believe that GLOAT’s newest power duo can’t make noise down the stretch.
Pete (4-4)
Last Week: 8th
I’ve been even harder on this team. I can admit that too. At the end of the day - Kyren and Javonte make for an impressive 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup, and JA’MARR CHASE HAS 54 TARGETS WITH JOE FLACCO UNDER CENTER. 54! FIFTY-FREAKING-FOUR!!! IN THREE GAMES!!! Skattebo’s injury makes Tyrone Tracy an appealing FLEX moving forward, but the WR2 and WR3 slots remain suspect until QJ or DJ Moore get things going. Then again, Wan’Dale has been holding his own lately, so maybe the issue isn’t as drastic as meets the eye. If you can pull together a Week 9 win over Bacich & Reeso, I pledge to move you up the board.
Ryan (4-4)
Last Week: 11th
WOW. *brief pause for a round of applause* Who needs their Round 1-4 picks anyway? An absolutely brutal slate of injuries and BYEs in Week 8 proved no match for Ryan’s savviness. Dallas Goedert and Tucker Kraft combined for 4 TDs on National Tight Ends Day, and Kareen Hunt added two more scores for safe measure. Not only did Club Dread oust a talented opponent and reclaim a competitive .500 record, but they did so by dropping a 140 burger. Grit > Talent.
Case (2-6)
Last Week: 12th
Mr. DuFrane, how does it feel to be out of the cellar? With an elite TE and the undisputed WR1 on BYE, Saquon put the team on his back and willed this misfortuned roster to its first win in over a month. It’s going to be a long shot, but this Week 8 victory keeps the flickering playoff flame alive. Look to your team’s namesake - with a positive “Si se Purdy” attitude, maybe the improbable can be possible.
Austin (2-6)
Last Week: 11th
What’s worse? A broken bone, or a broken spirit? The loss of Joe Burrow and Malik Nabers would have been difficult to overcome, but the loss of the rookie gem in Cam Skattebo feels like a kill shot. Perhaps the talented WR corps can provide enough horsepower to tack on a few more wins, but the forecast for a postseason push remains gloomy unless Harvey and Henderson can establish themselves as reliable contributors.
FYI - I’ll be taking a BYE next week, but I’ll be back soon!
