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.

Power Rankings! (Week 7)

From here on out, there will be a weekly rankings to determine which team truly has the hottest coach, the baddest mascot, the biggest stick...

1. Buffy (4-3) Despite having the second best record, Buffy is the team to beat. A team with the Marshall, Rod, Boston, Holt and Garner...no surprise that Buffy dominated FS this past week. First overall in the power standings, dominant team, strong coaching...enough said!

2. Tiiite End Jammers (5-2) With lone possession of first place, rankings alone demand that the Jammers be placed among the elite. Despite a recent two game slide, Kurt Warner and Ricky Williams will make a fierce 1-2 punch for years to come. Did you know: Jammers won its first 5 games while scoring over 105 pts a game.

3. Chunky Monkeys (4-3) Despite starting the season 0-2, the Monkeys have gone 4-1 the last 5 games while averaging a stunning 110 points per game. Its hard to argue for a hotter team in the league. Consistency is the key as the Monkeys have struggled stabilize its starting lineup.

4. DIRTeByRDeeZ (4-3)Da Birds have surged the past 3 weeks while posting 307 points, good for 102 points per game. After being shell shocked in Weeks 3 and 4 by the likes of the Monkeys and Ante Up, the Birds have rebounded nicely. Recent front office moves with the acquisition of Ahman Green and Corey Dillon have paid off handsomely.

5. Ante Up (3-4) The team defined by streaks. I'm going to stick my head out and put a sub .500 team in the top 5. Despite a mediocre performance in Week 7, Ante Up has been the second hottest team behind the Monkeys while posting nearly 107 points per game the past three games. Considering that superstars Edge and J. Garcia have been relatively quiet, the team certainly has upside.

6. Battle Angels (4-3) A solid record reflects a solid team. Led by a stout running core of the Bus and C-Mart, the Angels have been going strong all season. However, the Angels have been victims of inconsistency. Poor play by a key players usually lead to disappointing losses. However, with Randy Moss yet to come around, its hard to imagine what the Angels will do if the man actually tries!

7. Flaming Shrapnel (2-5) How does a team with the worst record not end up dead last in this poll you ask? If you look at the numbers, Shrapnel has been a victim of bad luck. Starting poorly in the first two games, Shrapnel has averaged a startling 97 pts/game in the past 5 games -- only behind the Monkeys and Buffy! Devastated by injuries, the team is relying on Coach Liao to create some magic with his rosters. The league should expect another contender to emerge, namely the Shrapnel team.

8. Green Team (3-4) After realizing that his early picks of Trent Green (rumor has it that Trent was picked for his namesake and not for talent) and Mike Anderson have more or less been busts, the Green Team has been busy on the deal front shoring up his needs. Pulling a blockbuster deal with the Monkeys, the acquisition of star QB Brett Favre has helped tremendously. Coming up with a win after a 3 game slide, the Green Team is certainly looking to get on the right track again.

9. TAGHeuer (3-4) With a lineup in disarray, runningbacks that can't find the endzone to save their lives, and a talented but still inexperienced quarterback, Tag has yet to find his rhythm. Averaging barely 70 pts in the past three games, the TAG team will be counting heavily on his youngsters and hoping that they mature a lot faster than earlier anticipated.

10. Skool (3-4) The ugly-ass team award goes to Skool. How a team that has managed 3 wins yet has never eclisped the century mark in ponts scored is beyond me. Slowed mostly by the disappointing play of Daunte Culpepper, Skool has sported a patch-work lineup which fell to a low point last week when both Giants runningbacks, Ron Dayne and Tiki Barber were announced as starters. On most teams, neither would normally start but normality is not the case with team Skool. The team is talented however with the likes of Culpepper, Bruce, and Tony Gonzalez bolstering the front lines. Playing 3 of the next 4 games against sub .500 teams, might Skool be on the rise?

Rising this Week: Inscrutable Drama Kings. With 80% of the teams over .500, this is shaping up to be the tougher division.

Falling this Week: Spunky Misunderstood Geniuses. With 80% of the teams under .500, teams in the Inscrutable Drama Kings are wishing the Gods had been with them when divisions were set.

Fearless Prediction: Skool will break 100 points at least once in the next 3 games.

Eddie George: Traded!

In a grand gesture, Flaming Shrapnel and the DirtyByrdeeZ have traded star running backs after a weekend spent punishing each other on the field. The Birds emerged with a late victory on the strength of M Harrison's two acrobatic TDs but both teams hugged after the game. The general manager of the Birds was quoted as saying that he "wanted to support the spirit of gamesmanship in this time of need and tragedy."

That statement was followed by a blockbuster deal earlier tonight. Franchise RB E George has started off slow and that has led to him being jettisoned for emerging RB A Green and the soon to be retired C Carter. The team hopes Cris can provide some leadership in his last go-around in the NFL. With two trades in a matter of days, the Birds are aggresively looking to get out of the divisional basement. With a young backfield anchored by C Dillon and A Green, the Birds hope to finally find a QB capable of lofting some deep balls to old pros M Harrison, C Carter, J Morton and D Scott. Time will tell if all this change is enough to take the Birds to the top.

GAME OF THE WEEK- In what has been by far the most exciting week of the season, three games were decided by nine points or less. The Jammers edged out Buffy in a highly anticipated matchup, 87-78 (mostly due to M Faulk's knee injury) while Skool bested the Battle Angels by a mere six points. The Birds also won by a tight four point margin but the game of the week goes to the high flying pyrotechnics produced by the matchup between Ante Up and Chunky Monkeys.

The Monkey's scored 117 and still lost by 15. With a previous solid effort by Keenan McCardell (12 bye pts), the Monkeys were well on their way to posting some big numbers. P Manning and G Crowell both had big days but it was S Alexander who broke out and recorded 28 points. Rookie of the year candidate LT was held to only 13 points, perhaps costing the Monkeys a victory. J Horn finally got close to double digits but has yet to record a TD this season.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, Ante Up was using A Freeman's big day (23 pts) to keep pace with the Monkeys. Running backs Edge and Lamar combined for 31 pts to keep the defense honest, allowing QB J Garcia to post a whopping 46 pts!!! With three passing TDs and one rushing TD, Garcia was simply unstoppable. Well, at least for a half. After the break, Garcia led a furious offensive onslaught that eventually crushed the Monkey's defenses and morale. This was probably the game of the year as far as break out games for a number of players.