07-21-2019, 03:18 AM
(This post was last modified: 07-23-2019, 07:59 AM by Fordhammer.)
Well, after 8 weeks we still haven’t had much separation. The top 4 teams in the NSFC are all within a single game of each other, and while the ASFC is a bit more stratified, only 2 games separate first from last place. Last week we had some impressive road upsets, and if anything the power ranking struggle got even muddier after 8 games. Over half of the league have winning records and are within one game of each other, and 4 of 10 teams sit at 5 - 3. In addition to that, the top 8 teams and went either 3 - 1 or 2 -2 for the week, so while some teams had better weeks than others, no one really gained or lost significant ground in the standings. So I’m sure some people will feel like they have been slighted, feel free to explain why your team was disrespected and why other teams aren’t worthy of their rankings.
1. Chicago Butchers (Up One)
Last week’s record: 3 - 1
Season record: 6 - 2
The Chicago Butchers have only played 8 games in their franchise’s history, but have been impressive enough to earn the top spot in the power rankings. They started with an ugly road loss to conference rival Philadelphia, but were able to rebound with two huge wins, one on the road versus the Yellowknife Wraiths and again at home versus the previous power ranking leaders in the Baltimore Hawks. Chicago has an impressive 3 - 2 record on the road and have yet to be beaten at home, continuing their roaring start. QB Rose Jenkings has finally settled into her new role as a starting QB in the NSFL, putting together a nifty 7 -3 TD to interception ratio and posting over a 1000 yards in the last four games. They have gotten more wins versus the top teams than anyone else this season, and deserve the top spot in the power rankings. They also have a cupcake road game versus Austin next, and have a good shot to go 3 - 0 next week by defending their perfect home record versus San Jose and Philadelphia.
2. Orange County Otters (Up Two)
Last week’s record: 3 - 1
Season record: 6 - 2
The Orange County Otters were well on their way to having a dominant week, but stumbled in their last game, at home nonetheless, to the Yellowknife Wraiths. Still, they took care of business against New Orleans and Austin and shut out a good Arizona team at home, avenging a tough conference loss last week. At this point, the Otters look to be the favorites to win the ASFC and will be heavily favored in every game they play next week, as their two big conference matchups are both at home. While Gus Showbiz III and Vinny Valentine continue to play spectacularly, the season Johnny Blaze is having as a tight end is astounding: he currently leads the league in receptions at 64, sits 5th overall in receiving yards and has scored a 7 touchdowns in 8 games. The Otters have the makings of a championship team, and the pedigree to outlast the Butchers and claim top spot in the power rankings by next week.
3. Yellowknife Wraiths (Up Two)
Last week’s record: 3 - 1
Season record: 5 - 3
The Yellowknife Wraiths had the most impressive four game stretch by any team in the league so far this season, as they took down both the Hawks and Otters on the road - a truly impressive task. They ended up dropping a home game to Chicago, a painful loss that cost them the conference lead. Look no further than MVP candidate QB Cotter Bigsby, who has broken out this season. In the last week he has compiled 1,342 yards passing, and 11 touchdowns to just a single interception. After a tough start to the season, the Wraiths are now on a 5 - 1 run and have three very winnable games on tap for next week. If they can find some consistency, they could cement themselves as an elite team.
4. Arizona Outlaws (Down One)
Last week’s record: 2 - 2
Season record: 5 - 3
The Arizona Outlaws had perhaps the toughest four game run this week and weathered the storm, trading wins with conference rival San Jose, beating dangerous Philadelphia team at home, and losing to Otters on the road in unimpressive fashion. While the Outlaws defense is still the top defense in the league, they were merely average on that side of the ball this week, which is distressing as their offense continues to underwhelm, ranking just 8th overall in scoring. Raymond Vans continues to be the team stand out, as he has now racked up 14 sacks for the league's best defense. The Outlaws will have to prove they can win tough road games if they want to be considered in the upper echelon of teams, something they have not done so far this season, but continue to take care of business and are a lock to make the playoffs.
5. Baltimore Hawks (Down Four)
Last week’s record: 2 - 2
Season record: 5 - 3
The Baltimore Hawks took a tumble in the rankings this week, as they not only lost two games to conference rivals, they also fell from first place all they way out of a playoff spot. While they did win two games, it was against cupcakes teams in Austin and Colorado. They dropped both important games they had this week to conference rivals, including a home game to the Wraiths and a road game to the Butchers. This is a surprisingly stunning fall for a team that mostly steam rolled the league last season enroute to a championship, as they are now fighting for their playoff lives in a conference that has proved to be a dog fight. They have a must win game next, on the road against conference rival Philadelphia, then two home games versus Arizona and San Jose - none of the three will be easy wins. The Hawks have some ground to make up, and their chances to retake the conference lead all of a sudden may be a long shot.
6. Philadelphia Liberty (No Change)
Last week’s record: 3 - 1
Season record: 5 - 3
I called the Philadelphia Liberty an intriguing team last week, with the potential to rise quickly up the power rankings. They didn’t disappoint, posting a pair a 3 - 1 record over the week, but they continue to hold the sixth spot in these rankings as just one of the victories was versus a top flight team, when they beat Chicago convincingly at home. Philadelphia has a huge opportunity next week, as they play three conference games, with two at home, against their top division rivals. They will rely most on WR Jordon Von Matt, who is 1B to Vinny Valentines 1A this year, posting a league best 9 touchdowns to go along with a 826 receiving yards, good for second best. If the league’s best offense can prove they can beat their tough division rivals, Philadelphia may end up near the top of the power rankings next week.
7. New Orleans Second Line (Up One)
Last week’s record: 2 - 2
Season record: 4 - 4
The New Orleans Second Line has now doubled their win total from last year, including a huge road upset versus the conference rival San Jose SabreCats. That win leap frogs them ahead of San Jose in a moral victory for the rebuilding team. I dogged on TE turned QB Stan Francisco last week, but he had a hell of a four game stretch both in the air and on the ground, posting a stat line of 714 passing yards with 9 touchdowns to 2 picks, while adding 222 rushing yards with 2 scores on the ground. He has proven he can hang with the rest of the QBs in the league, and he will need to show case that talent again as New Orleans has a murderous schedule on tap, featuring the Outlaws at home in a huge conference matchup then tough road games against the Wraith and the Otters.
8. San Jose SabreCats (Down One)
Last week’s record: 2 - 2
Season record: 4 - 4
The San Jose SabreCats had a rough week. They traded home wins with Arizona, and beat the hapless Austin team in a home shut out, but also lost a crucial division game versus New Orleans, at home nonetheless. Looking ahead, they are in danger of falling out of the playoff picture all together as all three of their games are on the road next week, all are tough games versus the Otters, the Hawks, and the Butchers. They won't be favored in any of those games, meaning they need a huge road upset or two to save their season. QB Joliet Christ can only do so much….literrally, I don’t think he can do much more. His stats have been face numbing in the last four weeks: 1137 yards, 10 TD and 0 picks, along with 328 rushing yards and 4 scores on the ground. San Jose has a tough week ahead and I’m not certain they can climb out of this hole.
9. Colorado Yeti (No Change)
Last week’s record: 0 - 4
Season record: 0 - 8
Well, by scoring offense and defense the rebuilding Yeti are still ahead of building Copperheads so they hold on to power ranking spot number nine. They didn’t play anyone close, and in a cruel hand dealt by the schedule gods, they have to play Austin on the road to cap this week to avoid a winless season. It's been a trying season for the Colorado franchise, but one of their few bright spots continues to be RB Terry Taffy, who piled up 435 yards rushing in the last four games. Colorado needs some luck to avoid being the last ranked team in these rankings by the end of the season.
10. Austin Copperheads (No Change)
Last week’s record: 0 - 4
Season record: 0 - 8
The Copperheads still have not won a game, preseason or otherwise, in their franchise’s existence. They didn’t come close to getting that first W last week either, as they lost all four games decidedly. They could post an ironic upset at home against the fellow expansion Butchers in game 9, but at this point it seems tier best chance for a win is in all important yet meaningless matchup versus the Copperheads in game 11. Last week I highlighted RB Dick Wizardry, but this week I have to lowlight rookie QB Easton Cole, who has been baaaaaaaaaaad, averaging 158.5 passing yards a week to go along with a 2 - 9 TD/Int ratio in the last four weeks. Yikes. If he can somehow manage to beat the Yeti, I think he can redeem himself from what has thus far been a dumpster fire of a season.
1. Chicago Butchers (Up One)
Last week’s record: 3 - 1
Season record: 6 - 2
The Chicago Butchers have only played 8 games in their franchise’s history, but have been impressive enough to earn the top spot in the power rankings. They started with an ugly road loss to conference rival Philadelphia, but were able to rebound with two huge wins, one on the road versus the Yellowknife Wraiths and again at home versus the previous power ranking leaders in the Baltimore Hawks. Chicago has an impressive 3 - 2 record on the road and have yet to be beaten at home, continuing their roaring start. QB Rose Jenkings has finally settled into her new role as a starting QB in the NSFL, putting together a nifty 7 -3 TD to interception ratio and posting over a 1000 yards in the last four games. They have gotten more wins versus the top teams than anyone else this season, and deserve the top spot in the power rankings. They also have a cupcake road game versus Austin next, and have a good shot to go 3 - 0 next week by defending their perfect home record versus San Jose and Philadelphia.
2. Orange County Otters (Up Two)
Last week’s record: 3 - 1
Season record: 6 - 2
The Orange County Otters were well on their way to having a dominant week, but stumbled in their last game, at home nonetheless, to the Yellowknife Wraiths. Still, they took care of business against New Orleans and Austin and shut out a good Arizona team at home, avenging a tough conference loss last week. At this point, the Otters look to be the favorites to win the ASFC and will be heavily favored in every game they play next week, as their two big conference matchups are both at home. While Gus Showbiz III and Vinny Valentine continue to play spectacularly, the season Johnny Blaze is having as a tight end is astounding: he currently leads the league in receptions at 64, sits 5th overall in receiving yards and has scored a 7 touchdowns in 8 games. The Otters have the makings of a championship team, and the pedigree to outlast the Butchers and claim top spot in the power rankings by next week.
3. Yellowknife Wraiths (Up Two)
Last week’s record: 3 - 1
Season record: 5 - 3
The Yellowknife Wraiths had the most impressive four game stretch by any team in the league so far this season, as they took down both the Hawks and Otters on the road - a truly impressive task. They ended up dropping a home game to Chicago, a painful loss that cost them the conference lead. Look no further than MVP candidate QB Cotter Bigsby, who has broken out this season. In the last week he has compiled 1,342 yards passing, and 11 touchdowns to just a single interception. After a tough start to the season, the Wraiths are now on a 5 - 1 run and have three very winnable games on tap for next week. If they can find some consistency, they could cement themselves as an elite team.
4. Arizona Outlaws (Down One)
Last week’s record: 2 - 2
Season record: 5 - 3
The Arizona Outlaws had perhaps the toughest four game run this week and weathered the storm, trading wins with conference rival San Jose, beating dangerous Philadelphia team at home, and losing to Otters on the road in unimpressive fashion. While the Outlaws defense is still the top defense in the league, they were merely average on that side of the ball this week, which is distressing as their offense continues to underwhelm, ranking just 8th overall in scoring. Raymond Vans continues to be the team stand out, as he has now racked up 14 sacks for the league's best defense. The Outlaws will have to prove they can win tough road games if they want to be considered in the upper echelon of teams, something they have not done so far this season, but continue to take care of business and are a lock to make the playoffs.
5. Baltimore Hawks (Down Four)
Last week’s record: 2 - 2
Season record: 5 - 3
The Baltimore Hawks took a tumble in the rankings this week, as they not only lost two games to conference rivals, they also fell from first place all they way out of a playoff spot. While they did win two games, it was against cupcakes teams in Austin and Colorado. They dropped both important games they had this week to conference rivals, including a home game to the Wraiths and a road game to the Butchers. This is a surprisingly stunning fall for a team that mostly steam rolled the league last season enroute to a championship, as they are now fighting for their playoff lives in a conference that has proved to be a dog fight. They have a must win game next, on the road against conference rival Philadelphia, then two home games versus Arizona and San Jose - none of the three will be easy wins. The Hawks have some ground to make up, and their chances to retake the conference lead all of a sudden may be a long shot.
6. Philadelphia Liberty (No Change)
Last week’s record: 3 - 1
Season record: 5 - 3
I called the Philadelphia Liberty an intriguing team last week, with the potential to rise quickly up the power rankings. They didn’t disappoint, posting a pair a 3 - 1 record over the week, but they continue to hold the sixth spot in these rankings as just one of the victories was versus a top flight team, when they beat Chicago convincingly at home. Philadelphia has a huge opportunity next week, as they play three conference games, with two at home, against their top division rivals. They will rely most on WR Jordon Von Matt, who is 1B to Vinny Valentines 1A this year, posting a league best 9 touchdowns to go along with a 826 receiving yards, good for second best. If the league’s best offense can prove they can beat their tough division rivals, Philadelphia may end up near the top of the power rankings next week.
7. New Orleans Second Line (Up One)
Last week’s record: 2 - 2
Season record: 4 - 4
The New Orleans Second Line has now doubled their win total from last year, including a huge road upset versus the conference rival San Jose SabreCats. That win leap frogs them ahead of San Jose in a moral victory for the rebuilding team. I dogged on TE turned QB Stan Francisco last week, but he had a hell of a four game stretch both in the air and on the ground, posting a stat line of 714 passing yards with 9 touchdowns to 2 picks, while adding 222 rushing yards with 2 scores on the ground. He has proven he can hang with the rest of the QBs in the league, and he will need to show case that talent again as New Orleans has a murderous schedule on tap, featuring the Outlaws at home in a huge conference matchup then tough road games against the Wraith and the Otters.
8. San Jose SabreCats (Down One)
Last week’s record: 2 - 2
Season record: 4 - 4
The San Jose SabreCats had a rough week. They traded home wins with Arizona, and beat the hapless Austin team in a home shut out, but also lost a crucial division game versus New Orleans, at home nonetheless. Looking ahead, they are in danger of falling out of the playoff picture all together as all three of their games are on the road next week, all are tough games versus the Otters, the Hawks, and the Butchers. They won't be favored in any of those games, meaning they need a huge road upset or two to save their season. QB Joliet Christ can only do so much….literrally, I don’t think he can do much more. His stats have been face numbing in the last four weeks: 1137 yards, 10 TD and 0 picks, along with 328 rushing yards and 4 scores on the ground. San Jose has a tough week ahead and I’m not certain they can climb out of this hole.
9. Colorado Yeti (No Change)
Last week’s record: 0 - 4
Season record: 0 - 8
Well, by scoring offense and defense the rebuilding Yeti are still ahead of building Copperheads so they hold on to power ranking spot number nine. They didn’t play anyone close, and in a cruel hand dealt by the schedule gods, they have to play Austin on the road to cap this week to avoid a winless season. It's been a trying season for the Colorado franchise, but one of their few bright spots continues to be RB Terry Taffy, who piled up 435 yards rushing in the last four games. Colorado needs some luck to avoid being the last ranked team in these rankings by the end of the season.
10. Austin Copperheads (No Change)
Last week’s record: 0 - 4
Season record: 0 - 8
The Copperheads still have not won a game, preseason or otherwise, in their franchise’s existence. They didn’t come close to getting that first W last week either, as they lost all four games decidedly. They could post an ironic upset at home against the fellow expansion Butchers in game 9, but at this point it seems tier best chance for a win is in all important yet meaningless matchup versus the Copperheads in game 11. Last week I highlighted RB Dick Wizardry, but this week I have to lowlight rookie QB Easton Cole, who has been baaaaaaaaaaad, averaging 158.5 passing yards a week to go along with a 2 - 9 TD/Int ratio in the last four weeks. Yikes. If he can somehow manage to beat the Yeti, I think he can redeem himself from what has thus far been a dumpster fire of a season.