Power Rankings: Week 7
As I sit out on my rooftop patio on this splendid Tuesday evening to waste the next 90 min of my life writing a pointless fantasy football article that Chet probably won’t even read - I find myself typing away with an unbridled enthusiasm not felt since 2024.
We are officially halfway through the season. The crown is anyone’s for the taking. Except for Case. It’s time for me to lock in. It’s time for you to lock in.
Coffee’s hot. Pancakes are on the griddle. Saddle up, cowboy. We’ve got bulls to ride.
Henry (5-2)
Last Week: 1st
HOT JAMBALAYA. Hank stays atop the totem pole heading into Week 8 after rattling off two straight victories. Mind you, that’s without Lamar Jackson. Heck of a job bailing water out of the boat while the captain nursed a hammy injury. Ladd’s target numbers are through the roof again, Slick Rick is close to game action, and Jordan Addision has been just as good (if not better) than his star counterpart on the other side of the formation. Armed with plenty of firepower, it’ll be interesting to see if this GM holds tight with the current roster in place, or if he goes all in at the trade table in pursuit of everlasting glory.
Kyle (5-2)
Last Week: 3rd
Be honest. How many times has Jonathan Taylor appeared in your dreams lately? Over/under 3.5? If any one of us had a crystal ball on draft day, you best believe the former Badger would have been the undisputed first overall pick. He has almost single-handedly kept Kyle afloat while nursing injuries to CeeDee Lamb, James Conner, and Omarion Hampton. But hey! CeeDee is back in rotation, and Egbuka is now the clearcut WR1 in Tampa following the Mike Evans season-ending injury. The highest scoring team in the league isn’t going anywhere, and they’re only getting healthier.
Brad (4-3)
Last Week: 4th
The BYEpocalypse has a way of exposing roster holes. With Cook, Dobbins, Jones, and Gibbs in the backfield - it's certainly not at RB! But golly, the pass catchers are a different story. Yes, Tae is on BYE. Yes, Brock Bowers will be back soon. I hear you. But Zay Flowers, Keon Coleman, and Matthew Golden make for a shaky trio at best. Make no mistake - this is a deep lineup - but if I can be so bold, Bradley needs to leverage that RB depth and pick up a reliable WR option.
Cole (3-4)
Last Week: 6th
Holy guacamole, what a roster. Deeper than my inbox after a week of PTO. Starters aside, just about everyone on the bench is worthy of FLEX consideration if not more. Whether it be an onslaught of injuries or BYE week absences, no team is better suited to weather the storm than JCW’s. These boys are primed for a deep playoff run. The problem? With Hank on the other side of the field in Week 8, a 3-5 start is a real possibility. By no means is it a must win, but 4-4 sounds much more appealing.
Devon (5-2)
Last Week: 2nd
While the sharp drop in ranking might suggest otherwise, this remains a high caliber lineup. Kittle delivered an astonishing goose egg in Week 7, but with National TE Day being celebrated on Sunday, I’d bet a kidney that he bounces back with a double digit outing. Derrick Henry should be back on his worst behavior with Lamar set to return, and the WR trio remains respectable even with Puca on BYE. Speaking of which, it sounds like the BYU product will be ready to return after a rest week - PRAISE THE LORD. No stress, stay blessed.
Mike & Chet (4-3)
Last Week: 7th
You can call off the hound. Quit the search party. Because we finally found Chase Brown! Joe Flacco has resuscitated the entire Cincinnati offense. Bill’s fantasy output might not be there, but I’ll be damned - how can you not feel excited about starting a RB who consistently gets 15+ opportunities each week? They’re damn hard to come by. Not to mention, after several years worth of disappointment in the fantasy world, Patty Mahomes finds himself as the QB1 once more. Even with Amon-Ra on BYE in Week 8, this is a good looking depth chart.
Tom (3-4)
Last Week: 10th
Here ye! Here ye! Allow me to introduce the sexiest batch of WR’s that GLOAT has ever laid eyes upon. Rashee Rice, Justin Jefferson, Drake London, and A.J. Brown. It’s hard for me to say those names without biting my bottom lip. Jaylen Warren also presents a massive upgrade at tailback - he and Etienne make for a respectable duo of RB2s. The trade did come at a cost, as the bench is practically non-existent. But hey - I just mainlined a full dosage of liquid hope - I’m choosing to look on the bright side. I’ll deal with the rest of the lineup tomorow.
Pete (4-3)
Last Week: 5th
This is a weird team. There, I said it. You’ve got Ja’Marr - he’s back as a certified WR1 now that there’s an elite QB under center again. Javonte Williams has been the steal of the draft. Kyren is a baller, as is Firebaugh’s finest. Heck, even Rico Dowdle is running like he’s Adrian Peterson in 2012. But here we are in Week 8 - with two (yes, two) Panthers RBs in the starting lineup, QJ’s momentum has grinded to a screeching halt, and DJ Moore can only be found on the side of a milk carton. But hey, 4-3 means you’re squarely in the hunt - even with this strange yet effective starting lineup.
Bacich & Reese (3-4)
Last Week: 9th
How far can CMC and Achane carry this lineup? Honestly, probably pretty freaking far. Thank goodness for the Colts pass catchers (Pittman and Warren), because with Mike Evans sidelined for the season, this lineup would be completely devoid of reliable passcatchers. Hopefully Jameson Williams can get things going after the BYE, otherwise there will be nowhere else to turn than the less than desirable 22 personnel formation. For you non ball-knowers, that means 2 RBs and 2 TEs.
Austin (2-5)
Last Week: 11th
Please, no need. Allow me. STOP PICKING ON THIS MAN. It may not be 2021 anymore, but Keenan Allen and Tee Higgins both have WR1 pedigrees, and they have a combined 55 targets over the previous three weeks. Monty is squarely in Gibbs’ shadow, but he's a secure low-end RB2 in just about every roster across the league. Could Stain have gotten more for London and Warren? Maybe….probably….yes. But for a team deprived of Malik Nabers and Joe Burrow, drastic times call for drastic measures.
Ryan (3-4)
Last Week: 8th
No one is being hit as hard by the BYEpocalypse than RyGuy. Maserati Marv, BTJ, Jeanty, and Charbonnet are all on vacation in Week 8 - which means the team will be tasked to take on an extremely talented opponent without its 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks. Oh jeez, with Jaden Daniels nursing a bum hammy, that means the 4th round pick will be sidelined as well. Yowza! Hey Joe Mixon, how are you doing? Feel like playing football anytime soon?
Case (1-6)
Last Week: 12
How about that Oronde Gadsden, huh? WOOO! Hell yeah! Celebrate the small win - isn’t that what life’s all about? No matter the cost, you have to be excited about injecting Saquon and JSN into your starting lineup. But man, their Week 8 and Week 9 BYE’s are coming at a horrendously inopportune time. I hate to be melodramatic, but Week 8 is as close to a must-win as it gets.
