Power Rankings: Week 9
Surprise!
I told myself I was going to take the week off. I had some work travel to Atlanta for a couple of days, and knew I’d be short on time. I thought it’d be easier if I punted and came back to the Power Rankings next week.
But then I won.
The 1st place and 10th place teams are separated by just two games, with five weeks remaining. Photo finish, anyone?
Devon (6-3)
Last Week: 6th
F*ck it. I’m shaking things up this week. Puka, Waddle, Pickens, Sheed, and Deebo make for one heck of a five-headed monster. Let’s not forget either - with Lamar under center again, King Henry is bound for some statement games throughout the holiday szn. In order to sustain this momentum, Devon will need more juice out of AK or Mason.
Henry (6-3)
Last Week: 1st
Speaking of King Henry! Don’t be mad at me. Sharing is caring, and you’ve been hogging the top spot for a while now. The Week 9 stinker was characterized by a few tough BYEs and lackluster performances, but the narrative is still positive. The competition is right on his heels, but Hank should have no trouble picking up 2-3 more wins and securing a playoff spot.
Kyle (5-4)
Last Week: 2nd
Now is not the time for panic - but after losing three straight, I can see little beads of sweat trickling down your forehead. Even with the skid, as the highest scoring team in the league, I can’t in good conscience knock Harwood out of the top three. The stakes in Week 10 are gargantuan though. A talented opponent awaits on Sunday, and Kyle will have to duke it out without his Dallas Stack or Mr. Redwood (T-Swift reference for you scholars out there). Gulp (no, I’m not gulping about Travis’ endowment). Actually… nevermind.
Tom (5-4)
Last Week: 5th
*Cracks fingers, sits up straight, and locks in* I’m back, b*tches. You know it to be true. Winners of three straight, with a whopping 431 points accrued over that stretch. We still haven’t even seen Brown, Rice, Jettas, and London take the field together. The four WR1’s may capture the spotlight, but Jalen Hurts and the RB2s have been more than respectable in recent weeks. Look out, gents! The dynasty isn’t over yet.
Bacich & Reeso (5-4)
Last Week: 8th
Hey Reese! How are ya? Celebrate anything big this week? Just wondering. These boyz have rattled off three straight, thanks largely in part to the meanest RB combo in the league. If J-Mo sustains his momentum out of the BYE, and if Tre Tucker can step up on the outside for Vegas - there’s no reason to believe these boys can’t make a deep postseason run.
Mike & Chet (5-4)
Last Week: 3rd
My confidence in this team shifts more often than I change shirts while getting dressed for work. It’s been a season of ups and downs. Bill was hot! Now he’s not. Boutte was cold, then hot, now injured. Chase Brown was stinky, now he’s squeaky clean. Amon-Ra and Patty have been the only reliable studs from start to finish. But - for as long as Rachaad White fills in for Bucky, this roster’s upside is as good as anyone’s.
Brad (4-5)
Last Week: 4th
After losing two straight, I was feeling validated about sliding BK down the rankings a bit. Then I saw that he’s projected for 131 in Week 10. Holy guacamole, that’s a lot! My stance remains the same - this is very much a playoff calibre roster, but the WR/TE slot is suspect to say the least. How will Bradley plug the hole? Will Bradley plug the hole? Tune in next week to find out!
Ryan (5-4)
Last Week: 10th
The Yung Dread Heads (YDH) have reasserted themselves in, and they’re doing so in style. Actually - the swag factor has taken a serious hit, but it hasn’t slowed down the W’s. Jayden will be on the shelf for a while, BTJ’s chronic disappointment has crescendoed into an ankle sprain - all while Alex Pierce and Dallas Goedert are quietly exceeding expectations. The rise of Kyle Monangai is a disservice to D’Andre Swift, but Jeanty is finally delivering near his draft value. The true hero is Herby, who is thriving in his Madison Beer era. The line is long and there’s a $10 cover, but Club Dread is bumpin’ right now.
Cole (4-5)
Last Week: 7th
Phew! Week 9 was a stinker, but it was juuuuusssttt enough to keep the season alive. 3-6 would have been a deep hole to dig himself out of, but the commish finds himself just one win way from a .500 record - with the last place team on deck. As a league, we had a unique opportunity to kill this talented roster - just sayin’. I blame Kyle. And now we’ll all have to suffer the consequences.
Pete (4-5)
Last Week: 9th
Welcome to the upside down world. Javonte Williams are Rico Dowdle are RB1’s, Wan’Dale Robinson and QJ are top 24 WR’s, and DJ Moore is a modest WR3. While struggling as of late, Pete has reverse-engineered a competitive lineup by placing high IQ bets on the waiver wire and on draft day. Despite being the 3rd highest scoring team in GLOAT, a 4-5 records means these boys find themselves on the outside looking in. If Jakobi Meyers can produce FLEX value in Duvall, that would be huge for a team devoid of legitimate WR threats in Week 10.
Case (3-6)
Last Week: 11th
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Don’t call the coroner just yet! I’m picking up a pulse! The 12 personnel with Gadsden and McBride has been electric, and Caleb is coming off his best game as a pro. Case has now survived Saquon and JSN’s Week 7 and Week 8 BYE’s, leaving him squarely in the hunt. That trade was a huge gamble, but it appears to have paid off so far. It’s still a long shot, but a win over Bacich and Reeso this weekend would be nutty. Like it or not, this former champ is still breathing!
Austin (2-7)
Last Week: 12th
SHAME. SHAME. SHAME. The subpar record can be explained by poor injury luck, but starting Cam Skattebo (IR) in the RB1 spot is inexcusable. C’mon Stainer. You’re a former champ. You’re better than that. Now with little to play for, it’s time to be the spoiler and destroy your friends’ dreams.
