Power Rankings - Playoffs

With the first regular season of our beloved league coming to an end, here's a look at who's who in the playoffs.

Inscrutable Drama Kings
Locks: Buffy (9-3), Chunky Monkeys (8-4), Tiiite End Jammers (7-5) On the Bubble: DIRTeByRDeeZ (6-6), Ante Up (5-7)

Featuring the league's top two teams, team Buffy, led by GM Roger Cheng, and last year's defending champions, the Chunky Monkeys, guided by GM Evan Shiue -- the two teams figure to be the favorites to win it all. The Jammers, while reeling from injuries, should not be discounted as they fight for their lives to stay alive in the playoff run. However, the game of the week belongs to the heavily anticipated match-up between Ante-Up and Da Birds. It is a must-win game for both teams as the loser faces elimination from playoff contention.

Spunky Misunderstood Geniuses
Locks: Battle Angels (6-6), Skool (6-6), Green Team (5-7), TAGHeuer (5-7) On the Bubble: None For the SMG division, the table has already been set. With Shrapnel's loss last week, the talented Shrapnel team found them uncharaterstically eliminated from fantasy playoff contention for the first time in years. The division has been weak all year and its best hope for a winner this year lies with the Battle Angels, coming off 4 straight weeks of scoring over 100 points per game.

1. Buffy (9-3) Coming off a huge week, Buffy is looking to solify its position as the top dog with possibly its biggest matchup of the season against the Monkeys. With the predicted return of Rod Smith, the Monkeys will have their hands full. 3-1

2. Chunky Monkeys (8-4) After a relatively quiet two weeks, the Monkeys exploded for 127 points against the Birds last week, marking the 9th consecutive week in which the team has exceeded 100 points per game. Without a doubt, this is the second best team in the league if not the most consistent. 5-1

3. Tiiite End Jammers (7-5) The Jammers have cooled considerably after a 5-0 start. However, the team has started gel once again (averaging 106 pts/gm over the last 3 games) and will be a force to reckoned with in the playoffs. 15-1

4. Battle Angels (6-6) Bolstered by a 133 point explosion 3 weeks ago, the Angels are one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs while averaging 113 points in the last 3 weeks. Look for them to make a serious run in this playoff season as they represent basically the only viable playoff team from the SMG division. 20-1

5. Dirtebyrdeez (6-6) Da Birds remain a threat as they sport an explosive lineup led by young stars which include Ahman Green, Corey Dillon, Marvin Harrison and Tom Brady. While frustratingly inconsistent, this team will only get better with each game. The team's potential for monster games alone earns them the 5th position. 22.5-1

6. Ante Up (5-7) Led by MVP candidate, Jeff Garcia, Ante Up faces a must win situation as it plays the Birds this week at home. Despite a less-than-stellar record, Ante Up is virtually tied with the Jammers as the 3rd best offensive team in the league. Pretender or contender? If the team can muster up enough juice agains the Birds, we might have a cinderella in the making. 25-1

7. Skool (6-6) Speaking of cinderellas, Skool has been this year's cinderella team. Tied with the Battle Angels for first in the SMG division despite only averaging 87 points per contest this year (only one of two teams in the league to average under 90 points per game), Skool has been a survivor. However, keep in mind, much of Skool's success has been against the weaker teams of the SMG (1-4 against teams in the IDK) and if Skool is unable to step up its performance for the playoffs, Skool will have extreme difficulty facing traditional powerhouses (ie Buffy, the Monkeys and the Jammers) in the other division. 50-1

8. Green Team (5-7) Clinched a playoff spot with last weeks victory of Flaming Shrapnel. With a trade for Anthony Thomas, the Green Team is looking to solidify its lineup for the playoffs. However, with major holes and a lack leadership in the lineup, the Green Team will be hard pressed to make it far into the playoff schedule. 75-1

9. TAGHeuer (5-7) Another miracle team, Tag's GM Ping Shen has been plagued with injuries, bad luck and shoddy play all year long. Despite being a 'playoff contender' label, analysts are quick to point out that this is perhaps the weakest league in the team while barely averaging 80 points per game. 6 teams, in each of their losses, have averaged more points a game than Tag's 81.3 points per game during the season. This does not bode well for Tag's chances. 200-1

10. Flaming Shrapnel (3-7) The first team to be eliminated from playoff contention and the team with the worst record...enough said. However, the roster is full of talent and GM Eric Liao has been known as one of the smartest GMs in the league. In a recent interview with ESPN, GM Liao was quoted, "Our team will be back next year with a vengeance." 1,000,000-1 (Odds given in the even that there is a computer glitch)

Team TAG End of Year Rankings

Redwood Shores, CA -

Team TAG opened the 2001 season with a strong sense of optimism. However a combination of injuries and dismal performances have left the team at 5-7. Here are our expert's grades and comments for the TAG players.

Donovan McNabb, QB: Rumors have GM Ping Shen renaming this squad "Donovan's Dudes" for next year. Seriously, though, Donovan has been the one consistent force for Team TAG this season. His numbers, 18TDs, 6 INTs, and 2 rushing TDs, are not unheard of, but are reflective of the inconsistent nature of the receivers that McNabb has had to work with. While his fantasy scoring has been a tad too inconsistent this year, we look for Donovan to be a top 5 QB for the next ten years. Grade: A-

Stephen Davis, RB: Davis, a second round draft pick, has put up respectable rushing totals this year, 895 yards through 11 games, well on pace for another 1000 yard season. But, and this is a big BUT, he has scored only one TD all year. Davis' inability to find the end zone is reason enough to label him a "bust" for this season. League experts had expected Davis to post between 10 and 15 TDs this year. His lack of scoring is inexplicable, and GM Shen is surely very frustrated. Davis' obvious talent and second round pick status will still make him an obvious keeper selection. Grade: C+

Emmitt Smith, RB: Like Stephen Davis, Emmitt has scored only one TD all season. Unlike Davis, Emmitt has not posted respectable yardage numbers, with only 589 yards through 11 games. As Smith continues to age and as his injuries continue to mount, one has to wonder how much longer Smith will play. As a seventh round pick, Smith is not as big of a disappointment as Davis. However, there are numerous RBs in the league who went undrafted who have outplayed Emmitt. Grade: D+

Michael Bennett, RB: Well, the jury is still out on Bennett. Certainly, his numbers are disappointing. But anyone who expected a rookie to step in and produce Robert Smith-like numbers in his first season may have been expecting a bit much. To be fair, the entire Viking offense has struggled, making life even harder for the rookie running back. However, you would figure that nearly anyone on the Viking team would have found the end zone at least once (Bennett does have one receiving TD, but 0 rushing) in 11 games. With Bennett failing to score one rushing TD, we can say that, 1) the TAG RBs are on pace to score one TD per month, and 2) That Donovan McNabb has the same number of rushing TDs as all three TAG RBs combined. Maybe they should call this team, "Mount McNabb." Bennett's youth, blazing speed, and natural running ability make him an intruiging keeper prospect. Shen certainly has his hands full with this decision. Grade: C

Keyshawn Johnson, WR: Well, if you thought that the TAG RB core had a hard time finding the end zone, just look at Key. He's now 2 catches away from setting the NFL record for most receptions without a TD catch. For anyone else, 83 receptions for 976 yards after 11 games would make for a standout year, but the zero in the TD column is a big big negative. We can only surmise that this season has been an aberration for Keyshawn and that the USC product will return to his normal, productive, touchdown scoring ways next season, making him a guaranteed keeper selection. Grade: B+

Marcus Robinson, WR: A talented enigma of a WR, if ever there was one. In the two games he played this year, Robinson posted 23 receptions for 269 yards and two scores (or two more than Keyshawn has scored in 11 games, or the same number of TDs that the TAG RBs have combined to score in 33 total games). Unfortunately for TAG, Robinson not only tore up opposing corners, but also decided to tear up his ligaments in his knee in week 4. Who knows where this team would be with a healthy Marcus Robinson. His injury, combined with his history of injuries, make him a very risky but also a potentially very rewarding keeper pick. Grade: Incomplete.

James Thrash, WR: Thrash has been the one pleasant surprise on this team. Through 11 games Thrash has caught 44 passes for 575 yards and, most importantly, 7 touchdowns. Surprisingly enough, Thrash is the leading WR on this team and is one of Donovan McNabb's favorite redzone targets. Grade: A

Chris Chambers, WR: A mid season acquisition by Ping Shen, Chambers is perhaps the most exciting WR on the TAG team. With 31 receptions for a mind bending 604 yards and 5 scores in his rookie season, Chambers is clearly loaded with potential and is polished enough to excel right away at the NFL level. Chambers is the big play threat that every team covets, and TAG would be wise to hang onto him. Grade: A-

Plaxico Burress, WR: Plaxico, in his second year of professional football, has caught 42 passes for 609 yards and 2 scores. While these are certainly respectable numbers, and while Burress is outscoring Keyshawn Johnson 2-0, it must be noted that these numbers still amount to a disappointment for Burress, who many figured to be the next Michael Irvin. Granted, Kordell Stewart is no Troy Aikman, but Plaxico must become a more consistent threat in order to be considered an elite fantasy receiver. Grade: B

Ping Shen, General Manager: This is the guy who managed to find three running backs in the 2001 draft who would combine for 3 TDs after 11 weeks. Same guy who found the receiver who might end up setting the NFL record for most receptions without a touchdown. Same guy who drafted Patrick Ewing, Shawn Kemp, and Vin Baker in the same fantasy basketball draft. Ok, ok...so the basketball stuff doesn't figure into his football grade, but still...Shawn Kemp? After all, we readily admit that we really liked the TAG backfield following the draft. Who wouldn't like a combination of Stephen Davis and Emmitt Smith. We figured those two alone would be a lock for 20TDs this season. Hindsight is 20-20, and it's hard to fault Shen for those picks. Smith was, and should still be considered a great pick in the 7th round. James Thrash was a great pick as well, and Marcus Robinson was too, for at least a couple of games. Once again, it's no fault of the GM that Robinson got hurt. Where you can fault Shen is for not making any moves to help his team get better.

Granted, the player with the most trade value is also the most untradeable player on the team (McNabb). However, suffering through a season with a dismal running attack and a 5-7 record without a single trade should raise a few eyebrows. However, Shen's free agent acquisitions have been solid. Chris Chambers is the top rookie WR, and an excellent keeper pick. Plaxico has contributed to this offense, as has Willie Jackson. So while this team has had a disappointing year, and while we would have liked to see some trades, it's hard to completely fault Shen for the dismal years of Davis, Smith, and Keyshawn. Like they always say, "Who'da thunk it?" Grade: B

Power Rankings! (Week 11)

The playoff runs begin as the top teams in each divisions gear up for the final games of the regular season. The Inscrutable Drama Kings Division is seeing a heated race to the wire as the top 4 teams in the league are separated by only 2 games. On the other side of the ocean, the Spunky Misunderstood Geniuses are brewing a drama of their own as the Angels are feeling the heat as team Skool has somehow managed to rake off two straight wins to pull even with the Angels. However, close behind are team TAGHeuer and the Green Team, both two games behind and fighting desperately for that last playoff position.

1. Buffy (8-3) Buffy has been awesome all year long and seems to show no signs of slowing down. Despite failing to surpass the century mark after 5 straight weeks, Buffy is still averaging an impressive 120 points the last 5 games, highest in the league.

2. Chunky Monkeys (7-4) The Monkeys have been stumbling the previous two weeks, with a stunning loss to the Green Team and barely managing a win over the struggling Jammers last week. However, the Monkeys are clearly the second best team as they are the only team besides Buffy to have averaged over 100 points per contest throughout the season. The Monkeys are also currently on an incredible streak of 8 consecutive games with over 100 points scored. The Monkeys will attempt to reclaim their top position as they face division rivals, the DIRTeByRDeeZ and Buffy, in the last two weeks of the season. The much anticipated showdown against Buffy will give the Monkey's a chance to show who's truly the top dog in the league. (The Monkeys holds the advantage and are 1-0 against Buffy this season)

3. Battle Angels (6-5) Despite a mediocre record, the Angels are still first in their division while featuring one of the top offensive lineups in the league. The Angels, despite losing last week, have averaged an amazing 117 points per game the last 3 weeks! 2nd only behind team Buffy.

4. DIRTeByRDeeZ (6-5) After a 5 game winning streak, the Birds have cooled while enduring two consecutive losses. However, the DIRTeByRDeeZ still feature one of the most explosive lineups in the league with young rbs Ahman Green and Corey Dillon leading the way. Bolstered by the surprising play of FA Tom Brady, the solid receiving unit (Harrison, Carter, Ward) have seen plenty of action the past couple of weeks. Despite the recent slump, the Birds are one of the few teams to have averaged over 100 pts per game the last 5 games. The key to the Birds rests with the QB -- if Brady can perform consistently at a high level, the Birds will be a tough team to play. This week's matchup with the Monkey's will be the Birds first big test before the playoffs.

5. Tiiite End Jammers (6-5) Even amidst a disastrous slide in the standings, the Jammers are still in the hunt for that last playoff spot. The Jammers have been heating up the past two weeks, as the team posted a respectable 97 points per game. The Jammers are staring at a relatively easy schedule in its last two weeks of regular season play (Ante Up and Skool). To have a chance at landing that last playoff position, the Jammers must prove that it is playoff worthy and put teams like Ante Up and Skool away.

6. Skool (6-5) Skool has been the model of efficiency ... or luck, whichever works for you. Defying all odds, Skool has managed a 6-5 record and a tie for first place with the Angels despite only exceeding the century mark once this season. While the rest of the league has averaged over 100 points per game in games they have won, Skool has averaged only 90 points. Even more astounding is the fact that in the games that Skool has lost, Skool is averaging 86.4 points per game, 3rd highest in the league! Is this a team that plays only as much as it needs to? Or is it just a mediocre team that gets lucky? It probably won't matter -- with a 2 game lead over Tag and the Green Team with weeks to go, Skool is almost a lock to make the playoffs. Go figure.

7. Ante Up (5-6) A solid team in the wrong league. If Ante Up were to have been fortunate enough to be in the Spunky Misunderstood Geniuses division, Ante Up would almost surely be a lock for a playoff berth. Unfortunately, despite being the 4th best offensive team this year, Ante Up is toiling in the cellar trying to catch divisional powerhouses such as team Buffy, the Chunky Monkeys, the DIRTeByRDeeZ and the Jammers. Hopeless? Actually, the team is only one game behind the Birds and the Jammers. But Ante Up will have their backs to the wall as they face the Jammers and Birds in the last two games of the regular season. A sweep will garauntee them a position for the playoffs, while a loss will almost surely knock them out.

8. Green Team (4-7) The Green Team has been hot, but it might be too late. The Green Team has averaged over 104 points per game in its last 3 weeks but is still 2 games behind 2nd place. With two playoff berths all but locked up by the Battle Angels and Skool, the Green Team will have to duke it out with TAGHeuer and Flaming Shrapnel for the final position. The team will be counting heavily on the resurgence of RBs Duce Staley and Mike Anderson.

9. Flaming Shrapnel (3-8) Analysts argue that team Shrapnel, with 997 total points scored this season, good for 7th overall, certainly does not deserve the worst record in the league. However, despite its efforts and the inspiring play of Terrell Owens, Anthony Thomas, Garrison Hearst and teen heart-throb Alex Van Pelt, Shrapnel has been unable to string any kind of winning streak together all season. Facing likely elimination, the Shrapnel team will still battle to the end. GM Liao refuses to give up and if anything, analysts around the country fully expect team Shrapnel to be a force to be reckoned with next year.

10. TAGHeuer (4-7) This has been a dismal season for team Tag. With its running back core combining for an astounding 1 touchdown all season, its leading receiver, Keyshawn Johnson scoreless this season, few are surprised at Tag's ineptitude at being able to put the rock in the endzone. With a league leading 5 games in which it has scored less than 80 points, team Tag will almost certainly have a busy off- season. However, building his team around talent including Donovan McNabb, Stephen Davis and Keyshawn Johnson, GM Ping Shen will have a few tricks up his sleeve for next year. I gaurantee it.

Taking You to Skool

Today's topic will be the incredible and some would say, miraculous season put in by Skool. With only one century game to it's credit in 11 weeks, Skool has put up a winning record of 6-5. How did they do it? Obviously, a roster sporting only one bona fide star (Daunte Culpepper) is winning due to a strange combination of luck and guts. An easy schedule is also only part of the answer because while Skool's PA mark of 1009 is low, it isn't the lowest in the league nor is it abnormally different than any other contending team.

Standing at 2-1 after three straight weeks of under 80 scoring was a pretty phenomenol feat. This publication predicted the collapse of Skool but after going 1-3 over the next four weeks (with three 90+ scores and one 75), Skool has picked it back up again with a 3-1 run. This last week's win over Green Team (by 2 points) was powered by the stunning performances of WR Kevin Johnson and the suddenly resurgent Tiki Barber.

The roster for Skool is full of superstars having subpar years (Isaac Bruce and Tony Gonzalez) but somehow they are winning. Their best player scores almost double the amount of the next best player, backup QB T Couch. The second best player to consistently take the field has been the Charger Defense (with 128 points). With a patchwork starting lineup that usually reads: QB D Culpepper, RB T Barber, RB R Dayne, WR I Bruce, WR K Johnson and WR T Gonzalez, this team strikes fear in no one. Yet they have beaten some pretty good teams. With season sweeps against both Flaming Shrapnel and the Green Team the magic for Skool may never stop. With only a few short weeks until the playoffs Skool is left to face only TAG and Tiiite End Jammers. If they can win both games they could easily take the division in a magical season.

In general, the league is as competitive as its ever been. More than half the league is playing at a better than .500 clip and it seems like any team can win any week. There have also been a number of nail biter games that have come down to the wire. In this unpredictable season, 9 of the top 10 players have been QBs and the top RBs are not named Marshall or Edgerrin. As the case with the NFL, parity rules.

Power Rankings!

There is a 4 way tie for first in one division while the other divison sports just one team above .500. What gives? In the latest edition the league's Power Rankings, here's a look at the hotties and the not-so-hotties.

1. Buffy (5-3) The team with the highest number of points scored (873 pts in 8 games!) getting hotter? Impossible you say. A look at the scoreboards reveals that not only has Buffy exceeded the century mark the past 3 games, he has managed to improve his score in each game culminating in a blowout this past week against Green Team. With Faulk and Holt coming back, will there be anyone catching the Buffy team?

2. Chunky Monkeys (5-3) +1 Despite Buffy's apparent dominance, the Chunky Monkeys ARE the hottest team in the league. Despite a recent slow down, the Monkeys have eclipsed the century mark in 5 straight games while averaging over 112 pts per contests. No other team is close to that average during that span. With the eventual return of Fred Taylor, this young team doesn't figure to be second for too long.

3. DirteBrydeez (5-3) +1 Riding a 4 game winning streak, the Birds are at it again. Shaking off a terrible start, shrewd roster moves by management are making GM Jon Yang look like genius. With a young QB Tom Brady at the helm and the talented running duo of Ahman and Corey, its hard to see the Birds going anywhere but up.

4. Tiiite End Jammers (5-3) -2 What once was a proud but powerful expansion team is slowly being destroyed by injuries and inconsistent play. Averaging over 104 pts a game in the first 5 games, the Jammers have fallen dramatically in offensive output (averaging under 70 pts per game the last 3 games, worst in the league). With the early injury to Ed McCaffery, the Jammers have been relying on its younger legs with the likes of Rod Gardner and Peerless Price. However, their inexperience have proved devastating. The team is now looking for Coach Pan to work some of his trademark tiiite magic in the second half. Watch for this team to be active on the deal front in the coming weeks.

5. Battle Angels (5-3) +1 The Angels continue to dominate their division as they completed their second straight win this week. As the lone team above .500, the only knock against the Angels is that they play in a remarkeably easy league. However, their quiet demeanor belies the true strength of the team. Anchored by veterans throughout the lineup, the Angels have been rock solid all season and looks to make a strong push as playoff season rolls around.

6. Flaming Shrapnel (2-6) +1 Before sending your hate mail emails, it would be wise to realize that the Shrapnel team has been a solid team all year long despite its poor record. Fourth in the league in scoring while anchored by a strong young core, the future is bright for this team. After its string of unlucky losses, probability will undoubtedly be with the Shrapnel team from here on out as well.

7. TAGHeuer (3-5) +1 In a its longest losing streak of the year (3 games), the Tag team is primed to break out after showing signs of life with a 106 point outburst (unfortunately against da Birds who scored over 120 points). Sitting in the middle of the Spunky Misunderstood Geniuses division, the Tag team is easily within striking distance and with an active management team, more is surely to be expected from this veteran front office.

8. Skool (4-4) +2 Team Skool has been the Ugly Cinderella story of the year thus far. Despite a respectable 4-4 record, Skool has still been unable to reach the century mark in its first 8 games. In a league where the winning team scores an average of 108 points, Skool has been winning its games by averaging less than 87 points per game. Probability tells us that Skool won't be winning many more if they continue to produce at this pace.

9. Ante Up (3-5) -4 As previously mentioned, this is a team of streaks. Unfortunately, the team is on the wrong end of the spectrum as it suffered one of its worst losses this week and appears to be ready for more. Unless management can find a way to right the ship, roster moves will be inevitable. Playing in a division where the other 4 teams have averaged roughly 98 points per contest the past 5 games doesn't help either.

10. Green Team (3-5) -2 The Green Team has seemingly hit a wall. In its past 5 games, it has failed to average over 80 points per contest, not nearly enough to win consistently in this fire power oriented league. With many of its veteran leaders relegated to the bench, the coaching staff will be confronted with key decisions in the upcoming games. Sporting a 3-5 record, the Green Team is not out by any means but Coach Ng will be under the public microscope for sometime to come.

Season at the Half:
League MVP: Rod Smith - The man is incredible even without Easy Ed.
League Dud: Fred Taylor. Fragile Fred is still weeks away from any kind of return.
GM of the Half: GM Yang (DIRTeByRDeeZ) Going from worst to best? Not quite but almost.