2020 Power Rankings: Week 12

Hello, hello! Come in, come in! Don’t wipe your feet, there’s no time. And actually, don’t come in either, you know, lockdown stuff. But we can do this quicker by just shouting at you on the driveway anyway. Utilising the government tier system might actually benefit this speed edition of the rankings anyway, it fits with the LOC nicely, so;

- Tier 1 – the lucky bastards somehow escaping most of the madness

- Tier 2 – the vast majority, enveloped in chaos, scared and confused

- Tier 3 – f**ked

And if you want any more information on the tiers, please visit the government website. It doesn’t exactly relate to the LOC, but its doesn’t really seem to relate to anything else either, so can’t hurt.

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- Tier 3

12. The Tuckfards (3-8) Non-mover

Said they were out last week, unsurprisingly they are still out. If we were in Scotland, they’d be rocking tier 4. And, unfortunately, it looks like they are ending 2020 with a bit of a whimper. Bring on 2021!

11. Gridiron Gang (4-7) Down 2

Not mathematically out as such, but equally pretty darn far from in. With Ekeler back and the Lions both close, they could still ruin it for someone else though – and that is basically what being in tier 3 is all about, right!?

10. Patistan (5-6) Up 1

I thought they were out a couple of weeks ago, but they keep surprising me with wins. Much like the team below them though, they seem to be too many wins and too many points scored behind. They got kicked out the club they were in, but found another one open just down the road (yeah, I’m still doing the nightclub thing, even when in a rush).

- Tier 2

9. IKSAN (5-6) Down 1

They were really close in a week with a few good matchups. You feel they needed this one, but the early season form keeps them hanging onto contention. It’s never too late. Unless they lose again this week, then it’s too late.

8. Bear Necessities (5-6) Up 2

Massive win, was fully ready to Tier 3 them, until last week. What a time to turn up and, as the second-high scorers in the league they are still very much (just about) in the running.

7. The Dream Team (6-5) Down 2

And the losses keep coming. The change from early season consistency to just not being able to find the points has been drastic. They only lost by just over a point this week, and posted a good score, but that could be the result we look back on at the end of the season.

6. Tom’s Tyrants (5-6) Non-mover

Ran out of momentum, despite actually having a decent week. The lose doesn’t take them out of the running, but they need a few things to go their way now. Their destiny is no longer in their hands. If they keep scoring the way they have been the last few weeks, it’s possible.

5. Burdettinators (6-5) Down 3

Wow, talk about close. Reckon either coach will look back on that result at the end of the season and realise how critical it was? Burdettinators needed it more and got it, they stay a game away from the division and the wildcard. Seems a harsh drop, but it’s more about what other teams around them did.

4. Buccing the Trend (7-4) Down 1

Not a good score to put up on the eve of the tier system coming into place. Despite the win, league joint record, and holding the wildcard spot, they stay in tier 2. They can’t afford any more sub-80 weeks already having notably less points than their nearest rivals.

3. His Dak Materials (6-5) Up 4

Good win, rest of the division lost, and another great entry to the team name list- pretty much a good week all round. High scorers in the league and now atop their division, they are very much looking good.

- Tier 1

2. U R Gould (7-4) Up 2

The message is easy here, keep winning ad you’re in. This team deserve their spot in the top tier as they have looked a consistent threat since getting healthy, putting together a string of good weeks.

1. Forge Flyers (7-4) Non-mover

Clinging onto the top spot, although they’d probably 

have the tier all to themselves if they’d managed another yard. No one is more than a game outside the playoffs, and that includes them. Their points for is just enough to provide a slight buffer.

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Right, if I don’t post this quickly, you literally won’t have time to read it. Although, as this is the end of the article, you’d presumably already know whether you had time or not. Unless you read things in a weird order? Now I’m just rambling, definitely no time for that. We’re done here.

2020: You didn't think we'd skip on a Thanksgiving day pod did you?

 Welcome to a special edition of the LOC Report on Thanksgiving day! Week 11 was a microcosm of the LOC season so far, with many results being very close. HOF Commissioner Stubbs and Cohost Chris Leach take a look at all that, whilst previewing Week 12 during the first Thanksgiving day game.

2020 Power Rankings: Week 11

Good afternoon! As stated by my podcasting counterparts, Sunday seems to have become a thing, and here we find ourselves again. And, as stated by literally everyone seemingly every week, the nature of this playoff race continues to be wide open. I keep expecting this playoff race to start revealing itself spoiler alert; we aren’t quite there yet. I guess that isn’t a spoiler, unless you haven’t set your line up yet this week, in which case I’d imagine you don’t actually care about having that spoilt for you. Bit of a rubbish spoiler alert really, I’ll double down, Rankings incoming.

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12. The Tuckfards (3-7) Non-mover

It wasn’t their worst week by far, but the Sanders/Green/Singletary contribution was beyond poor. In all honesty, they shouldn’t really still be starters at this point in the season, and that sums up the problem. The podcasters generously chose to delay the metaphorical forking, leaving it hovering Sword of Damocles style instead. Not having that. They’re done.

11. Patistan (4-6) Non-mover

Last week I started an analogy for what stage of a night out Patistan’s season represented, this week I’m continuing it. Any objections? Nope. Cool, this is a thing now. So, it was a good week in terms of result and total score, I’m saying the lights in the club are starting to come on, but you’ve managed to persuade the bartender to get you one more drink. How long this continues seems to be in Big Ben’s hands, which I guess makes him the bouncer? Oddly fitting.

10. Bear Necessities (4-6) Non-mover

With Kelce on the bye and Cook in a tough matchup, this week was always going to be an uphill battle for them. 85 points in a week when over half the league went below 80 is by no means bad though and the Dolphins D are going from strength to strength. This week, it is Allen’s turn for the bye. Derek Carr takes the reigns in what is now a must win matchup.

9. Gridiron Gang (4-6) Non-mover

That one will hurt for sure. With so much riding on each game, opportunities like that need taking. Nothing went right for them, from Brees’ injury to a general disappearing act from usually reliable sources. Currently bottom of their division and with the wildcard hunt getting more competitive by the week, their Points For is starting to work against them. Another team in must win saloon. Yeah, last chance saloon is better, there is a reason that is the saying.

8. IKSAN (5-5) Down 3

High score from their Kicker, you absolutely do not love to see it. Several weeks ago, I asked if this team had a breaking point (much to the discontent of their Coach), and it would appear that they did. They are far from out of it with a .500 record, but they need to prove that they can put up some game-winning totals again having not beaten the 100-point mark since Week 4.

7. Big BenG Theory (5-5) Up 1

That was their best game for a while, back to the start of the season where they couldn’t stop scoring points, and it unsurprisingly coincided with Alvin Kamara’s return to form. Can he really drive it home without Brees? As the league high scorers, if they can find some consistency again, they are right in amongst it. In other news, I feel like dropping the G and going for the considerably more famous Roesthlisberger may have been the call here. I know, I know, everyone’s a critic.

6. Tom’s Tyrants (5-5) Up 1

The score came down a little from the previous weeks, but they got another all-important win and do find themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt. Admittedly, still the thinner part of the thick at the moment. Still putting up nearly 100 points when Herbert and Adams weren’t at their best was encouraging, they’re not entirely reliant on those two.

5. The Dream Team (6-4) Down 2

Uh-oh, down to a 1 game cushion, we’ve seen this from The Dream Team before. They’ll be encouraged by Kareem Hunt’s continued role, Harris looks like the best back in NE (although Michel is back this week), and Wilson won’t do that again. But until Godwin and Zeke find the form that we would come to expect for them, this is not the same team that led these Rankings for the early part of the year.

4. U R Gould (6-4) Up 2

Well, that wasn’t an ugly win at all. Coach Gardner thoroughly putting me in my place. Amazing what a difference having both your top picks healthy again makes, with a solid Special Teams pairing also paying dividends. Speaking of which, they missed out on the D they wanted in the waivers, so enter the, errrr, Bengals? Could work? Maybe.

3. Buccing the Trend (6-4) Up 1

Josh Jacobs’ return to first-round form could not have come at a better time and praises must be sung for the Gallman spot start. I’m not getting carried away, there was plenty about that performance that was notably less impressive, but they now hold the wildcard spot and a three game win streak – that’s a pretty nice combo. Some of the best skill position talent in the league here.

2. Burdettinators (5-5) Non-mover

Hanging onto Butker and giving up the week proving to (probably) definitely be the right call in a matchup they were never going to win. But it also looks like points for could come into play for potentially multiple playoff positions. Things in the LOC have been won and lost on tighter margins than Kicker points (two-time Corona winner Coach Burdett is well aware of that). Back to full strength for Week 11, they need to return to form quickly.

1. Forge Flyers (7-3) Non-mover

The best teams always find a way to win when they don’t play well. File this result under that classic pundit’s catchphrase. Speaking of filing, where are we putting the Hines pickup? Sensible investment or overreactive overspend? Time will tell, but the schedule certainly points towards the former, I like it. Lamar takes the reigns again this week, would be ideal timing for him to get hot again.

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And the LOC rolls on. Very quickly actually as the 6pm games approach. Let’s hope for some more points in general this week. Now that The Masters is over, no one likes low scores, let’s crank it up. Good luck Coaches!

2020 - Playoffs or bust

 Welcome to another episode of the LOC Report! We're rapidly approaching the end of the regular season, and amazingly nearly all LOC teams have a chance of making or missing playoffs. For some, the playoffs start now, or it's curtains. HOF Commissioner Stubbs and CoHost Chris Leach look back at Week 10 and forward to Week 11

2020 Power Rankings: Week 10

Happy weekend again everyone! Welcome to Week 10 of the LOC and, fittingly, the tenth edition of the Power Rankings this season! I know I keep teasing you with some very late in the week instalments, but we keep churning them out. This tumultuous season continues, with still only 3 wins between the top and bottom teams and no one more than 2 games away from their division leader. Of course, there are only 5 games left in the regular season now so, for those of you planning a highly dramatic late season charge, it’s kind of now or never. Fireworks to come, no doubt. In the meantime, let’s update you on how things stand.

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12. The Tuckfards (3-6) Non-mover

A lot of points left on the bench last week. Despite serving the first ever LOC points deduction, they still could have pulled it off. As it was, the matchup turned into Mahomes vs. Murray and, despite his best efforts, Mahomes couldn’t carry it this time. Still, the points deduction game them the necessary kick up the proverbial, and they pick up the reigns again in full on save the season mode, could be fun. P.S. Mahomes is on a bye this week, bad timing.

11. Patistan (3-6) Down 3

They picked the team well, there just wasn’t enough there this week. Losing Montgomery was bad and at 3-6 they now face a monster battle to stay relevant. Looks like Thomas was a little late to the party, as in they’ve started to let the DJ play some of his own stuff now, we all know how nasty that can get. They simply have to win this week.

10. Bear Necessities (4-5) Non-mover

So, back to Allen dominating then. Cook even more so. The rest of the team (Kelce excluded) isn’t exactly pulling their weight, but when they only have to put up a handful of points each and still get the weekly high score, doesn’t really matter. History will tell us that this likely isn’t so sustainable though, they’ll need to find some more role players to start contributing. They’re still rolling the same dice for Week 10, however.

9. Gridiron Gang (4-5) Up 2

Far from the best win, but it keeps them in the running. Woods is back from the bye, Davis is back from FA (lol) and Gridiron Gang are back to ninth (double lol). Brown looked pretty sharp in TB, getting Golladay and Ekeler back on the field in the next couple of weeks could make them a team to watch down the stretch. Weird season for Will Fuller to stay healt… nope, don’t want to jinx it.

8. Mahomes Under The Hammer (4-5) Down 2

They had a solid start on Thursday, with Rodgers continuing his incredible season. Unfortunately, they left Kamara, Murray and Evans too much to do on Monday night, despite the big score from the Saints. They need to get back on form now after a fantastic start to the season. If you look at the Strength of Schedule for the Saints for RBs for the rest of the season? No great. On the plus side, and definitely deserving of a shout out, best team name – ever.

7. Tom’s Tyrants (4-5) Up 2

Continuing their upwards trend with another solid score above 120. Not a lot of squad rotation going on here, but the starters are getting it done at the moment. They’ll be hoping that Sanders can come back healthy and alleviate some pressure. Todd Gurley in the meantime is literally stealing his way to a RB1 finish based entirely on 1-2 yard goal-to-go plunges, ahh the game at its finest.

6. U R Gould (5-4) Up 1

That was a little ugly. But, winning ugly has been the success of their season so far, so it’s kind of back to what they know best? Kyler Murray is getting better, scarily, and carrying the team whilst he goes about his record-breaking trajectories. Perhaps even better news though, Chubb is back this week. If he can pick up where he left off, this team can definitely start to look dangerous again.

5. IKSAN (5-4) Down 1

Ahh, what a difference having CMC back makes – is what I should have been writing here. Don’t get me wrong, he was good. Emphasis on the ‘was’. DeeJay Dallas is the latest call up, although he has a tough matchup. As does Bernard, who has performed admirably thus far. There is always another backup, but after this latest loss they now share their wildcard record with a couple of other teams.

4. Buccing the Trend (5-4) Up 1

Oooh, big win right there. Tua came through, which leaves them in the best spot they’ve been in at QB all year. The performance was more well-rounded in general than in previous weeks and that was reflected by the score-line. They’ve got some tough matchups this week, and they’re missing Tyreek to a bye, you feel like there is some weight on Tua’s shoulders again.

3. The Dream Team (6-3) Down 1

Posting the low score on any given week will not go unnoticed in these Rankings. Losing Johnson was unfortunate, but unlikely to have cost them the game. Godwin still doesn’t look healthy and now faces competition from Brown, particularly in his favoured slot role. Not to keep piling it on, but Hunt just lost some playing time to Chubb’s return as well. They still have two games on their divisional rivals, and Duke Johnson and McKissic were good pickups, will they get back on track?

2. Burdettinators (5-4) Up 1

Got the right team on the pitch, despite the depleted bench, and got a solid win for their efforts. Watson has now fully turned back into the QB they drafted, and Cooks looks to be a beneficiary as well if he can start consistently turning targets into big plays. James Robinson continues to be a star as well and is only getting the ball more. With another tough bye week now, they’ll need some big performances from inconsistent sources.

1. Forge Flyers (6-3) Non-mover

No one saw that James Conner performance coming against Dallas, there were higher expectations for the D as well. More worryingly, DJ Moore looks a little like the odd man out in Carolina. McLaurin and Chark however seem to have instantly found some rapport with new QBs, so not all bad news despite their winning streak finally coming to an end.

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There we have it. Couple of teams on the edge of looking forward to the 2021 draft, but generally another week in which the league seemed to contract. A handful of the lower teams picking up steam is going to make the stretch to this crazy LOC year very fun to watch. Keep tuning in.

2020: Double digits here we come

 Welcome to the LOC Report! The season is really starting to heat up, as we enter the double digits in Week 10, those few precious playoff spots are going to be hotly contested. How did the playoff picture change in Week 9 you say? How will it change in Week 10 you say? HOF Commissioner Stubbs and Cohost Chris Leach will tell you. 

2020 Power Rankings: Week 9

Good afternoon Coaches! A second time we’ve missed the TNF game, but who’s counting? Well, obviously me. But other than that? Ahh, forget it. We’re now over half way through the season and there are still only three games between top and bottom, another crazy close (or just generally crazy) year. So, now for the second most important set of final standings you’ll see this week. And equally democratic, of course. It’s the Power Rankings.

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12. The Tuckfards (3-5) Non-mover

We’ve all missed KO deadlines on fantasy apps before (I literally did it in the EPL this week, bloody Friday games), but Coach Merritt now needs to prove he still believes in this team. They’re only a game off first place in their division – yes, really – and they’re healthier than a lot of their contemporaries.

11. Gridiron Gang (3-5) Down 2

Golladay becomes the latest to fall and Teddy holds onto top weekly scorer after beating the kicker by 1 passing yards. Bad week all-round really. Oh, and CMC is back so one of their most consistent performers, Davis, just got a whole lot less relevant (and dropped). Sorry, nearly missed that one. I challenged them to move in the rankings though and they did it, go team. And now AB is starting, what a ride.

10. Bear Necessities (3-5) Non-mover

I said having Cook back would help, I didn’t realise so immediately and so emphatically. He was 1 yard away from putting up over half the team’s weekly score. I mean, that’s great for Cook, but the rest of those guys? Not so much. Kelce still looks great and is having his usual, incredible season. Taylor has gone from breakout lead back, to committee guy, to maybe looking like the spare wheel in the committee – not what you want to see.

9. Tom’s Tyrants (3-5) Up 2

Another good win to make it three in a row. Again, the Herbert/Adams combo being the key factor. They will need the pair to keep firing to keep climbing up the rankings. Carrying two QBs and two DSTs is playing havoc with their depth however, not a lot of love on the bench.

8. Patistan (3-5) Non-mover

In what was a key matchup for them, only half the team showed up, not ideal. Johnson, Agholor and Cooper all combined to really push the boundaries and break that glass ceiling of the 1pt mark. Yeah, they sucked. Some good news though, Michael Thomas might finally be back on the field. And, even better, they didn’t play Hasty Thursday night! They can hold onto their spot, for now.

7. U R Gould (4-4) Down 2

Without Chubb and Drake this team really is looking like a shell of what they were. Kyler Murray remains as the lone source of magic, with even Thielen lacking his normal consistency. They really need the win this week against the division rival and have been making the pickups to try and get there. Hockenson looks a lot more appealing with Stafford back.

6. Bojack Horton (4-4) Up 1

After probably sweating a little bit through another Mahomes masterclass, they came out on top comfortably(ish). They needed to get back on track, and now Aaron Jones has returned as well bringing with him some much needed oomph. The bigger hitters are all lined up again for them to get right back in the hunt.

5. Buccing the Trend (4-4) Up 1

A good all-round score with the key players hiding the frailties elsewhere. I mean, that’s basically what team sport is all about anyway, right? Come watch my 5aside team, I’ll prove it. Sitting at 4-4 and with the season ready to tip either way, definitely the ideal time to get Tua in the line-up after an underwhelming/bad full debut. Big fan of that.

4. IKSAN (5-3) Non-mover

Baker sort of shot them in the foot there. And then the face, just to make sure. All told, it wasn’t a bad week score-wise though, with the rest of the team of misfits coming together well. Seriously, look at a recent photo of Gio Bernard, particularly his upper lip, and tell me that description isn’t fitting. Dare you. Couple of added notes: I enjoy waiver QB roulette, long may it continue, and CMC’s back.

3. Burdettinators (4-4) Non-mover

Jimmy G is a remarkable man. Not only did he manage to get injured, he also managed to be absolutely terrible up until that point. It was a bad bye week for them and now they get back Watson, Robinson and, the waiver wire darling, Chase Edmonds, and they all have great matchups so Coach Burdett will be hoping normal service resumes. They still have a stranglehold on the division – even if the division died some time ago.

2. The Dream Team (6-2) Non-mover

That was an important win, comfortably taking down a playoff rival. It wasn’t a great win however. Wilson and the Eagles DST provided most of the points and Kittle was lost to IR, potentially for the remainder of the year. On the upside, they now have 3 DSTs to rotate each week, so that’s pretty darn cool.

1. Forge Flyers (6-2) Non-mover

Less spectacular than in recent weeks, but getting the job done with a solid score and good contributions across the roster. Williams was nice while he lasted and will return to his backseat in the GB rushing attack now, but they have the cover. Lamar hasn’t recaptured his MVP form this season and playing the matchups with Carr this week should be the right call. 

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And another week in the books, another step closer to some clarity. I mean, we have to get some clarity sooner or later, right? Having said that, there wasn’t too much movement in the rankings this week, which normally means the proverbial is hitting the fan this week. I can’t wait. Good luck!

2020: We're gonna lockdown 2 electric boogaloo

 Welcome to another weekend edition of the LOC Report! Our fantasy league has gone back into lockdown for the 2nd time, but that's not going to stop our season!! As HOF Commissioner Stubbs and Cohost Chris Leach hunker down inside, they review everything that happened in week 8, while prediction (poorly) what will happen in week 9.