Week 4 and we are all on the board. With the first bye week upon us I thought it would be interesting to look at the 2 win standings. The current sleeper standings are in parenthesis.
To Infinity & Bijan (1)
Shaner (2x Champ) (2)
McBridesmaids (3)
Jefferson Aeroplane (6)
TakinMyTalents2Manila (5)
Gibbs Some (8)
Hold my Ladds (7)
Mormon Super Soakers (4)
BucketOFsauce (9)
Ballbusters (10)
Bye Week (11)
Burrows Over Hoes (12)
Not a huge difference, maybe it is too early in the season to tell, I'll revisit around week 9 or 10.
Other stats that continue to not make sense:
The Jaguars have 9 takeaways in 4 games.
Luke McCaffrey has more fantasy points on the season than Matthew Golden, Josh Downs, and Travis Hunter (read that again, not Christian but his brother).
Brock Bowers led the Raiders in target share at 30%, but only had an average depth of target of 2 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
Good luck all in week 5!
(+1) To Infinity & Bijan (4-0) - If I had just waited a week, I would have looked like a genius. Posting 155 in week 4, they are they only undefeated team left in the league. You could argue, the competition has been a tad thin as Bijan and the boys have faced the least amount of "Points Against" but they have also scored the most "Points For." Through 4 weeks, only 1 team has topped 135 twice, and that is why I have them in first in the rankings.
(-1) Shaner (2x Champ) (3-1) - Posting 108 is a respectable number in a loss but I still feel uneasy about assigning the 2xChamp this spot right now. Losing the top two most productive members of your roster hurts any team. Luckily the bench depth comes into play here as Caleb Williams looks like an actual fantasy relevant QB(though on a bye this week) and Charbonnet continues to get goal line work, so this team should be okay moving forward. Editor's note: this write-up was made pre roster change where Williams was dropped for Michael Carter.
(+2) McBridesmaids (3-1) - I still question $78 dollars on Johnston but there is no denying it has worked out great for the McBrides (Some could say "He's lovin' it"). While the RB position remains a question mark, having the overall #1 in fantasy and WR #4 & #6 can go a long way to covering up that handicap.
(+4) TakinMyTalents2Manila (2-2) - I told you they could fix their tinker stinkering and they did so with a bang; 166 is the new high mark on the season. If Puka stays healthy and Jeanty's "chill-until-I-kill" ready stance is for real, then this team will continue to put up strong numbers. With bye's coming up though, lineup sit/starts become that much harder to call so we shall see if this is a new trend or a one week sit/start miracle.
(-2) Mormon Super Soakers (3-1) - A win is a win is a win. But when that win is just 3 points to a team that lost its best player, you have to be concerned with future outcomes. Drake Maye is the #4 QB this season but I would argue this is a "circumstance of environment" rather than a "Drake Maye is hands down a top 10 QB in the NFL." The Patriots have only played a top 20 passing defense once (Panthers at #9) and have the 2nd easiest strength of schedule the rest of the year. That is a lot of words to say, great find on Maye. If RJ or TreVeyon can become a true RB2 then this team will continue to find success.
(-) Gibbs Some (1-3) - If, after the draft, you were told "you're team will have the 4th most points on the year," you would assume your record would at least be .500. Instead, that team sits 8th in the standings and 6th in these power rankings. That L column may get another notch next week as both Walker and Gibbs are on their byes. Maybe Mims continues to go to the max and they turn this record around, but right now, they are primed to qualify for the 6th place spot purely on points.
(-3) Jefferson Aeroplane (2-2) - "Hello, yes, I would like to speak to your refund department about a one AJ Brown? I was promised the real thing, not a guy from the stands with his jersey on." 7 yards on 9 targets is tied for the 3rd worst performance by a WR with 9+ targets in a game. This team will live or die on Brown being at least a WR2 the rest of season, so expect this ranking to drop further next week.
(+3) Hold My Ladds (2-2) - If there is any team I have too low in the standings, it has to be the Ladds (who I am now campaigning to be renamed "O Hampton my Hampton"). McCaffery continues to look like his '23 version rather than his '24 version and Pickens might actually be a legit WR1. If QB and TE can be figured out, the rest of the league might have to hold on.
(-2) BucketOFsauce (1-3) - They got over the league average this week, posting 119.5 points! Unfortunately, they also played the team that set the new season high. I don't think the record tells the whole story, this team isn't Sacko material. Mahomes will have to keep throwing to keep KC relevant and Woody Marks looks like he is about to take a bigger role in Houston. If byes are piloted correctly then 7-7 and a shot at the playoffs is still on the table.
(-) Burrows Over Hoes (1-3) - Maybe Saquon is still tired from last year? He is averaging 3.3 ypc, the lowest of his career. Combine that with Montgomery taking a week off (9 carries for 12 yards...) and Kamara unexpectedly being in a committee, and the Hoes find themselves in RB hell. It doesn't help that Brown, Samuel, and Smith are WR2 in name and WR3 during the game. Until someone steps up on this roster I can't place them any higher ranked than the injury ward that is the next two teams.
(-2) Bye Week (formerly Like a Good Nabers) (1-3) - "Nabers going down is a huge blow to this team," is something I would have said last year, this year he was looking more like a WR2 with upside. With Henry looking like Théoden pre Gandalf, and Bowers unable to find the end zone, this team has more issues than one WR. While the door isn't shut on any team yet, it will be a miracle if this team does break Wormtongue's curse.
(-) Ballbusters (1-3) - Gracing the win column for the first time this season must be a relief (could you imagine going 0-11?). Unfortunately, the good news ends there. Having already lost Kittle, Conner, Evans, in the first 3 weeks. They can now add Benson and Hill to that list of players (for those of you playing along at home that is $98 of their $200 Auction Salary on IR). At least Jayden might be back and Keenan Allen is acting like it is 2019 again?
(+1) Shaner (2x Champ) (3-0) - One of two teams undefeated and one of only two teams that have topped 100 points each week. The depth is a bit of a worry, but Lamar should be able to carry most matchups as he has scored 30+ points all three weeks and is the first player to reach 100 fantasy points on the season (Last season we didn't have a player with 100+ points till week 4). With JSN maintaining a 40% target share and Juwan Johnson showing he isn't a flash in the pan, this team is looking like it could go the distance.
(-1) To Infinity & Bijan (3-0) - Just a bit outside on my call of 160 points this week. Really, the only reason they are dropped in ranking is entirely predicated on CeeDee missing several games. This team is still solid and will continue to post W's if Marvin Harrison Jr. remembers his job involves catching a football. Fun fact, the TE spot on this team is averaging 18.8 points a week; the last team to average over 14 points a game at the TE position won the 2024 title.
(+2) Mormon Super Soakers (2-1) - Gambling on rookies is always risky. Sometimes it doesn't pan out, sometimes, though, you find insane value. Egbuka and Warren are showing incredible returns for $11 dollars of draft capital (add Burden in for $2 more and you get 83 fantasy points on the year for $13). If Chase can remain relevant and Taylor can stay healthy, this team will continue to move up the rankings.
(+3) Jefferson Aeroplane (2-1) - My FAAB for a QB. Is Daniel Jones legit? Is Geno Smith a good fantasy option? These are the questions that will plague this team all season. At least the Eagles remembered that AJ Brown can provide something on offense. On a positive note, the team does has 4 players over 40 points through 3 weeks, a mark no other team can claim. If the TE and QB spots could just be figured out, they could really threaten the top teams.
(+5) McBridesmaids (2-1) - The McBridesmaids is currently top 3 for average scoring for QB, WR, TE, and Def positions. So why 5th in the power rankings? The RB ranking of 12th reveals the answer, averaging just 12.2 points between 2 running back spots is a huge red flag. The 11th ranked RB tandem in the league (Ballbusters) are averaging 17 points for the same 2 spots through 3 weeks. If this stat doesn't improve, neither will the ranking.
(+5) Gibbs Some (1-2) - With the highest score of the season so far and notching their first regular season win since week 9 of last season, Gibbs and Co are one of two teams with a losing record that has a positive "Points For" to "Points Against" ratio. I do have reservations about putting this team this high when their 3rd biggest contributor is the Vikings Def, but for now, we will believe in the potential of Walker and Jacobs to carry this team into .500 land.
(-4) BucketOFsauce (1-2) - I got a little excited as the current reigning Sacko found their way to a convincing win last week. We were reminded this team really only has a solid position out of the possible 6. Ranking 1st in average WR scoring is amazing, ranking 8th or worst in RB, TE, Flex, and Def is not. This team has scored below 100 points 2 out of the 3 weeks (league avg is 104.75) and needs to find another avenue to score points if I am going to justify puting them any higher.
(+1) TakinMyTalents2Manila (1-2) - A bold choice to start Jake Browning this week. That has been the theme for this team throughout the year, bold picks that haven't really panned out. Currently ranked last in start/sit accuracy; leaving have left 60 points sitting on their bench through 3 weeks. If they do manage to put it all together they will flip the script fast and I believe they can and will fix it and find themselves sitting at 2-2 come next rankings.
(-1) Like a Good Nabers (1-2) - When your Defense is your third highest scoring contributor, you know it hasn't been a good week. The problem is, I don't know if there is a realistic shot a better outcomes in the future. This team's ceiling through 3 games is 103, below the current league average of 104, and is facing the loss of another starter with McLaurin possibly missing time. Honestly, I could just point to them having to double stack Giants WR's and you would completely understand this ranking.
(+1) Burrows Over Hoes (1-2) - Mark Andrews and David Montgomery really tried to steal this win for the Hoes on Monday night (unfortunately they also started the Raven's Defense). If Saquon didn't have his worst performance since week 6 of last year, we might be looking at 2-1 record right now, but ifs and buts don't really help in fantasy (or anywhere really). They do have any easier matchup next week and should find themselves at .500 at the conclusion of week 4.
(+1) Hold My Ladds (1-2) - The rookie risk finally paid off for the Ladds with Hampton and Skattebo combing for 41.1 points. But... 1 week a pattern does not make. If McCaffrey stays healthy and the Cardinals find a passing game, maybe there is room for upward mobility? However, with the QB and WR spots still huge question marks for this team I am hesitant to put them any higher than 11th.
(-8) Ballbusters (0-3) - I said if they were 0-3 I would rank them 10th... so 12th it is. Potential is all well and good but if it hasn't materialized by now, will it ever? The Ballbusters have the 2nd lowest points scored through 3 weeks and have (read, had) only 1 player that has contributed more than 40 points through 3 weeks for this team (Jayden Daniels). Now with Connor and Evans out, this team's chances of getting back into the playoff picture are slim. Maybe there is still gold on the waiver wire, but I betting they are more likely to find pyrite than anything.
(-) To Infinity & Bijan (2-0) - At this point in the season I don't think anyone can argue with this placing. Undefeated and with the most points scored through 2 weeks, this team appears unstoppable at this point. Even when byes hit, they are poised to stay on top with a bench of Golden, Judkins, and Jordan Love ready to step in. It might be early but I am calling my shot here, this team puts up 160 in week 3.
(-) Shaner (2x Champ) (2-0) - With the waiver wire add of week 2, Juwan Johnson and the rest of the Shaners cruised to an easy victory. Add in Lamar topping 30 for the second straight time and Seattle clocking inas the number 2 fantasy defenses makes this is the only other team that that has scored 110+ points in both matchups this year.
(+6) BucketOFsauce (1-1) - The Sun God came out to catch balls this week and is a big reason I am pulling the Bucket out of the cellar. Mahomes is having to throw more and Addison is coming off suspension after this week. There are a lot of positives for the team going forward. If Higgins and Chubb continue to remain relevant, maybe this team can found itself in the upper bracket come playoff time.
(-1) Ballbusters (0-2) - I am struggling to justify a 2 loss team in the top half of the rankings but hear me out. They have the number 11 WR on the bench, Mayfield is a comparable sub for Daniels moving forward and the threat of Evans, Hill, and Jeudy should be good enough for 100+ points a week. Maybe the team is just a little to TD dependent and maybe the Bengals and Cards run games are just that bad and maybe I am going with my gut over the stats but I am leaving them in the top 4 this week. (If they are 0-3 this time next week then 10th place it is.)
(+5) Mormon Super Soakers (1-1) - Jonathan Taylor is clearly benefiting from a QB that can complete a pass and with the 4th highest "Points For" through 2 games, so are the Super Soakers. Emeka Egbuka looks like a legit candidate for OROY and if Ja'Marr Chase can remain relevant with Jake Browning throwing to him; this team might actually be better than the sum of its parts.
(-2) Jefferson Aeroplane (2-0) - I could copy and paste what I wrote last week here, AJ and Justin combined for 14.80 (a .7 increase from week!). Geno Smith did his best job to actively lose the matchup, throwing 3 picks and failing to cross 4 points. meaning the Aeroplane, for the second straight week had the smallest margin of victory. If they can't find a QB and the starting WRs continue to consistently fail to cross 20 points combined, this team is going to live in the .500 realm for the rest of the season.
(+1) TakinMyTalents2Manila (1-1) - Losing and going up a rank, such is the fantasy power rankings. This uptick has more to do with the potential of the roster, 42.9 points were left on the bench this week and there is plenty of time in the season to correct this managerial oversight moving forward.
(-3) Like a Good Nabers (1-1) - Having a player go down with injury before posting any points is always a tough way to start the week. It didn't help that Derrick Henry and Jalen Hurts also combined for a measly 11.84 points. But with Brock running decoy routes until his knee fully heals and teams clearly scheming to stop Henry, this team is going to struggle to find that consistent second group of points. Which means the Good Nabers are doing their best Giants impression and letting Malik do 99% of the heavy lifting on offense.
(-3) Burrows Over Hoes (1-1) - Burrow going down is not the nail in the coffin for this team. With both Rodgers and Herbert on the bench, the Hoes really can recover from that loss (Can Mader though?). No, the issue lies with the starting TE and the Flex. Andrews is averaging 1 point a week (with rounding), which is the worst TE performance by a mile. Not counting the Ladds, who are in 11th for TE avg scoring, the rest of the league is getting 9.53 points from the Tight End position. While the Flex part of the roster is averaging a measly 14.8 points a week which is the second worst in the league. If those don't improve this team will continue to find itself near the bottom of this list.
(-3) McBridesmaids (1-1) - Two elite fantasy QBs is an amazing thing in a superflex league... in reality Goff is only starting when Allen is on bye. Sure the potential of points looks amazing, but unlike other teams, this potential is unlikely to ever materialize. This team will live and die completely on Josh Allen, as the WR group eerily resemble the Cardinals WR group; playing second fiddle to McBride (so congrats on best team/name synergy?). At least the Quentin Johnston overpay is showing some returns.
(+1) Gibbs Some (0-2) - If this was the 2 win system, Gibbs and co would technically have gone 1-1 this week. This does mean they have earned the dubious honor of being the first team to top 100 points in a week and not come away with the victory. Moving forward, this roster still has too many uncertainties going into week 3. Is there a WR1 on this roster, or is just 3 WR2s in a trench coat? Is Kenneth Walker better with less touches? Can Bo Nix be a consistent fantasy QB? As long as these questions remain, this team will live near the bottom of the totem pole.
(-1) Hold My Ladds (0-2) - To say it has been a rough start for this team would be a massive understatement. Yes, they have had the hardest schedule to start the season. Yes, the roster wasn't the lowest scoring of the week, and yes, technically the optimal starters could have scored 112.40. But this roster and its rookies are going to be inconsistent at best. With the league average score through two weeks at 101.75 and the Ladds averaging 82.16 points; Skattebo can't run over enough defenders to keep this team competitive at this point.
(+2) To Infinity & Bijan (1-0) - Bijan and Co continue to roll just like they did last year. All but 1 skill player ranked in the top 20 for their respective position rankings and the number 3 RB for the week was even left on the bench! This team currently looks like the one to beat (at least before bye weeks start).
(+2) Shaner (2x Champ) (1-0) - Bucky may not have gotten off to the hottest of starts but Lamar sure did (fantasy wise). JSN is currently sitting with an incredible 56.5% target share, and looks poised to be a top 5 fantasy WR this year. Croskey-Merrit may actually turn out to be the steal of the draft, (week 1 and overacting... nah?) Posting the third highest score of the week this team looks capable of repeating the 110+ score weekly.
(-2) Ballbusters (0-1) - As a reminder, this is a power ranking, not a standings recap, hence why a team with a losing record is at this spot. If Kittle plays 1 more drive, this L flips to a W. Kittle going on IR isn't even the biggest question for this team but rather, do we continue to start Hill (as of writing I just meant because the Miami offense sucks, not because he sucks as a person but there is that too) or old man Keenan Allen who is looking like his old self upon returning to the Chargers.
(+1) Jefferson Aeroplane (1-0) - A win is a win but with combined 14.10 points from $97 dollars in draft capital does not bode will for continued success. With Purdy doing his best Brock Osweiler impression and Chuba still playing for the Panthers, there is a good chance this team finds the bottom of the list real quick.
(+2) Like a Good Nabers (1-0) - This just in; Derrick Henry is good at football, the Giants might just be the worse team in the league, and running two WRs from Green Bay may actually be a viable strategy. All that said, this rating is predicated on Bowers being healthy. Should that not be the case then I may have to move Dbacks77 even higher...
(-2) Burrows Over Hoes (0-1) - This is where I lose everyone with this ranking, putting the team that scored the lowest score this week at the 6 spot. Honestly though, this team isn't that bad. Maybe this is what we see the rest of the season from Montgomery and the Lions but I refuse to believe Burrow, Barkley and Smith repeat week 1's performances. Maybe next week if its Deja Vu all over again, then I drop them to "cheeksville."
(+5) Dbacks77 (1-0) - I questioned the efficacy of having multiple Jets and Saints on the same starting roster, what I forgot to consider was Josh Allen. On any other team, he would be league winner, here I think he keeps Frank from being Sacko. With London possibly missing a game and Olave permanently "Questionable", it will be interesting to see where this team finds the other 60+ points needed to win weekly.
(+1) TakinMyTalents2Manila (1-0) - How does the rhyme go? Zay Flowers bring Week 1 wins? Something like that. While it is still early in the season, I think there is an outside shot that Flowers could be a top 10 WR this year. Sam LaPorta continued to look great (fantasy wise at least, mustache wise not so much) and if Puka remains healthy (big if) this team has a chance to be a .500 team.
(+2) BucketOFsauce (0-1) - Mahomes to Kelce 9 years on, can still produce. If King Henry hadn't hard carried, there was a real shot of the Sauce finding a win for the first time in 38 weeks. Between Brown, Pearsall, Higgins, and Swift, someone is bound to collect yards and when two of them do, we may see a W or two before too long.
(-2) Mormon Super Soakers (0-1) - Two of your top three points getters for the team this week have a combined 2 NFL games played. Add in Jonathan Taylor sitting in the 2nd half because Miami only brought their special teams to Indianapolis and you can mark off the first loss of the season. If T Law continues to be mid personified and Egbuka doesn't score multiple times a game, this may not be the last L this team suffers.
(-5) Hold My Ladds (0-1) - I though this team was going to be hard to judge but with Worthy out for a while, I think placing them close to the bottom is a much saner call. Positive takeaways, Omarion Hampton looked to get lead back touches and McConkey appears to a solid keeper. Hopefully McCaffrey's legs don't fall off... if they (read when they) do its going to make for a very rough season for the Ladds.
(-2) Gibbs Some (0-1) - Starting with the positives, Keon Coleman looked like a bonafide WR1 Sunday night. If only they had started Fields instead of Nix, then they... still would have lost by 11. Even the best hypothetical lineup would not have been good enough to secure the win this week and I think that is a major red flag. This team needs a lot of help and I don't see where it can come from.
Techmobowl - I think there are a few clear winners from the draft and I feel the ballbusters’ two-headed giant put in a very strong draft. If Jayden avoids the sophomore slump and Chase Brown maintains top 10 RB form then I expect this team to be in the upper part of the power rankings most of the year. That does not mean there aren't a few questions on the roster, can Evans legs hold up? Can Tyreek's QB stay healthy enough to make him a real fantasy weapon? Is a 30 year old RB with a bad knee going to survive the season? A few bad breaks and this rating takes a huge nose dive.
Shaner (2x Champ) - Lamar Jackson + Bucky Iriving is an incredible 1, 2 punch. The thing is, this team continues the combo with a 3rd, 4th, and 5th hit, Metcalf, Thomas, and JSN. This team could score 130+ a week easy.
To Infinity & Bijan - if Marvin Harrison Jr. Makes the jump to a WR1, then this team could really compete for the title. The first line on this team are top tier, once you get past RB/WR2 though, there are some questions. Is Golden, really the golden child? How much do we trust the Dallas offense (17th in 2024)? Fun fact, somehow the Eagles fan ended up with more Cowboys (3) than the Cowboys fan (0!).
Burrows Over Hoes - Sometimes being a fanatic for a team is a detriment, sometimes it allows you to transcend the rules of keepers and snag Burrows for a reasonable price (we all know we would have pushed Mader to pay 50+). Alvin and Saquon are a great thunder and lightning RB combo (at least for the first 4 weeks…), incredibly this team has even more depth with Montgomery and Ekler in the wings. WR though will remain a question all year, some weeks Deebo and Devonta will put up 40, some weeks it will be 4.
Jefferson Aeroplane- was keeping Justin Jefferson for 57 dollars worth it? Maybe, or maybe J.J. isn't the truth in Minnesota. Maybe Brock Purdy’s WR corp will be a revolving door all season. This team has an incredible ceiling, it also has one of the lowest floors out there. Chuba does play for the Carolina Panthers and there is a real chance any player on the Browns just puts up a fantasy goose egg.
Hold My Ladds - This team may be named after Ladd but it will live or die on McCaffrey’s legs staying functional most of the year. This team is full of potential, from Murray to Worthy to Henderson to even Ladd. Will some of those mentioned show up? Probably. Will all, doubtful? Murray has only been inside the top 10 once in his career, Worthy was WR15 last year and Ladd was WR12. With two rookie RBs to compliment McCaffrey on this roster. I can already tell the team I am going to have the most trouble placing all year.
Like a Good Nabers - It frustrates me to no end how “fine” this team is. They are going to float around 5th-7th all season, make it to the playoffs based on points and somehow stumble into another championship game. Though I should note, the last time King Henry put up 300+ fantasy points in a season (2020), the next season he only played 8 games.
Mormon Super Soakers - the firepower on this team is stacked; it has Ja’marr Chase, Jonathan Taylor and… wait no, that's pretty much it. This team is going to struggle to stay above .500 but maybe Trevor Lawrence will ascend this year like Baker did last year? They will have a chance to win every week but Taylor isn't playing every game and I don't think Chase can put up 60+ every week. I don’t see any other consistent producer on this team (at this time), maybe by week 7 we will all be raving about George Pickens MVP year…
TakinMyTalens2Manila - Ever ask yourself, how good would my team look if I took all the viable WR2s? Probably not, but here we are (Puka may be 1st on the depth chart but we all know Adams is the WR1). I don’t see how this team consistently crosses the century mark week in and week out (The Avg Fantasy score for 2024 was 106.3) but maybe Ashton Jeanty is the next coming of Marcus Allen?
Gibbs Some - Nix, Gibbs, Jacobs, three solid players to start the roster, then it falls off a cliff into potential land. Is Coleman going to breakout in year 2? Can Michael Penix Jr. throw a deep ball to Mooney? Will Nico stay healthy enough to be the top 10 WR he could be? Lots of questions to start the year that have me hesitant to place this team any higher than 10th at this time.
BucketOFsauce - Team Retirement Home might be a better fit for this roster, with old man Kelce and Mahomes leading the group sessions. This team is a walking IR waiting to happen. Chubb’s rehabbed legs, Higgins ongoing ankle issues, and Williams propensity to suffer high ankle sprains. I hope no player gets injured but football is an incredibly unforgiving game and past injuries tend to lead to more injuries. Even if everyone stays healthy, who is putting up fantasy numbers? Outside Mahomes (18.35 ppg), no player averaged more than 15 ppg, and a QB really should be averaging 20+ a game for a roster to compete for a playoff spot.
Dbacks77 - Trey McBride going for 48 in a salary draft isn’t completely insane. You could make several compelling arguments for this spend. But when you look at the rest of the roster, I am left questioning what the hell happened. Two players from both the Jets and the Saints? (Both ranked in the 30s for team overall power rankings) and a starting RB that will most certainly be a rotation play at best. Allen, McBride, and London may combine for 50+ every week... but putting up 75 points a week isn’t going to get you a lot of W’s in this league.