2021 Power Rankings: Week 8

Hello, hello, welcome to another Sunday edition of the Power Rankings. I was going to say ‘another trip to’, but realised that was a reference back to the old days of ‘EDOTLOCCA’s Corner’, which some of you will of course recall was an even more vague and subjective piece of weekly literature. So, next time you are questioning quite which direction a particular thought train will drift from the correct tracks, remember ‘EDOTLOCCA’s Corner’, and think about how much worse it could have been. With that said, enjoy;

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12. Napolitans (1-6) No Change

A decent week for them, notwithstanding the loss, but they should be getting used to them. Booker looks like he will do a decent job filling in for Saquon, and Taylor is well in rhythm now. They just need to catch a couple of breaks and they will pick up wins. Keeping Burrow simply for a bye-week replacement seems like a lost trade opportunity.

11. U R Gould (2-5) No Change

Having now scored the lowest total points by some margin, a team that looked rudderless post-draft has managed to drift into particularly stormy waters. The roster, particularly the receivers, doesn’t actually seem too bad, they just don’t seem to be able to get any kind of consistency going week to week. A lesson in draft day availability may, and should, have been learnt.

10. Burdettinators (3-4) Down 1

Their QBs have been their strength all season, in fact I’m surprised one hasn’t been moved to try and boost a roster that is otherwise not hitting the right gears. I called them boom or bust to start the season, but the lack of boom they are getting, particularly from Jones and Ridley, is concerning to say the least. Taking some shots on some guys coming back from injuries could help.

9. Tom’s Tyrants (2-5) Down 1

Underwhelming would be an understatement. Missing out on close losses when they had the chance is coming back to bite them now the team is not performing as well. To stay competitive, the notoriously slow starters will have to do something shortly, at 2-5 the season is starting to move away from them.

8. Buccing The Trend (4-3) Up 2

Right, I’ll get my caveat in early; they have conceded the least points in the league. With that out the way though, they have been on a good streak and their points totals seem to increase weekly, putting them at a competitive 4-3. Between the Bears RB pecking order, Sanders injury and Chubb’s return, it wasn’t a great week for their RB stable. Losing Sanders could be a blessing in disguise though, taking away the pressure to play a high draft pick who wasn’t performing.

7. Patistan (3-4) Down 2

Not getting any help from a tough division, but this team is definitely a ghost of what they were. They still have Brady, and Moore and Godwin will have their good weeks, but outside of that they are in fairly unknown waters. Their total points is good, they still have a solid route to the playoffs, but they will keep falling in these rankings until they put up a good score again.

6. IKSAN (3-4) No Change

Not a bad score (10/12 teams this season would probably be quite happy with it in fact), but tough opposition has stymied their progress. They are a decent team in a decent spot though, if Nick Chubb can garner himself a few more carries without Hunt, the extra opportunity would be another boost after the Mark Andrews renaissance.

5. FTMAL (4-3) Down 1

All good teams need to win when they play badly. Quite how much of a good team this is in their current state may be up for debate, however. Lots of the early season steam seems to have dissipated, but they are getting a bit healthier again. Mahomes starting to play like the player we all expect again would help.

4. Gridiron Gang (4-3) Up 3

A good week, particularly without main man Zeke. With Mitchell coming back into a lead role, and A.J. Brown coming back to the NFL after a peculiar on-field absence, they are in the best spot they have been for quite a while. In a division ripe for the taking (8^th, 9^th, 10, 11^th in total scoring (yes, really)), they are in a great spot for a playoff push. 

3. Bear Necessities (4-3) No Change

One of the more uneven scorelines of the week, not least due to Darnold’s dud. Presumably he’s in last chance saloon this week, although Atlanta isn’t the worst place to do that. They also get their bye-week Bills back, so will be in a better spot as a result. The important thing is they picked up another win whilst they wait for the Wilson return.

2. Forge Flyers (6-1) No Change

A new week and a different big scorer, Kupp stepped up again on this occasion. They’ve got the number 1 RB and WR, plus some other single-digit contributors on the roster. Safe to say, this was a well drafted team that is deservedly sitting pretty. 

1. The Dream Team (6-1) No Change

Ja’Marr Chase is an absolute star. Lots of people were fading him on draft day, but that seems crazy now. After watching what college second-fiddle, Justin Jefferson, did in the NFL last year, I guess we shouldn’t have been surprised. The rest of the roster is pretty sweet too by the way, just got to give Ja’Marr his due.

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Hope you’re all happy then. I’m sure some of you are at least. There is still plenty of fight in the middle order. For those of you (us) starting to question their odds in this particular fight, this is a new week, chin up! Or, in another ‘EDOTLOCCA’s Corner’ reference, perhaps a return to some bold predictions would be a better use of time?

2021 - But What About Second Bye Week?

 Hello and welcome back to another episode of the LOC Report! If you're keeping count this year, the power rankings are pacing the pod for episodes so far this year, but coming off a second bye week the pod is raring to go. Commissioner Stubbs and Co-host Chris Leach will touch back on the week 6 results, recap week 7, and preview week 8, while no doubt making some other pit stops on the way.

2021 Power Rankings: Week 7

Good morning all! I’ve been thinking, with our new playoff format, we won’t have an official halfway point any more thanks to those stupid odd numbers. So, I’m claiming this week, we’re more or less halfway anyway, and I can’t think of any other filler material for this intro. So, there you have it, welcome to the halfway stage of the season! And, with a ridiculous 7 teams at 3-3, I think we can well and truly say it is a classically close year in the LOC. But how are the rankings affected you ask? You know the drill, keep scrolling,

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12. Napolitans (1-5) No Change

Most of the brighter sparks seemed to have dimmed a little now. This team just cannot catch a break. Seriously, go look at the points against column in the league table, it’s just unfair. Taylor seems to have finally gotten up to speed though, good games from him and Lamar would be enough to put them in contention any week, they just need some supporting cast.

11. U R Gould (2-4) Down 1

With some big performances from Cook and CeeDee, they looked well positioned, but other players, like Williams, couldn’t finish the job. They have plenty of capable players, but consistency seems to be a problem. A fully healthy Cook should go some way to amending that issue. They are the low scorers at this point though.

10. Buccing The Trend (3-3) Up 1

11^th in points scored, they now find themselves joint 3^rd in record, because it just doesn’t matter how you do it. The Miami stack proved inspired and dragged them to an important victory that kept them well and truly in the hunt. Can I move them much higher without some better scoring? Not really. But, buoyed by an excellent TNF, they have a good chance of getting above .500.

9. Burdettinators (3-3) No Change

A strong score and they have somehow managed to drag themselves to the top of the division and the most tenuous playoff spot in the league. Herbert was a good pickup, even if he turns out to be short term, but getting Ridley back will be a boost. They haven’t gotten it all figured out, not through lack of trying, but they are the closest they have been so far.

8. Tom’s Tyrants (2-4) Down 1

It wasn’t a bad week for them, they just came up against a loaded team on hot form. Relying on King Henry getting less than 6 yards on MNF could be filed as ambitious. They need to start finding a way to turn a decent points tally into wins.

7. Gridiron Gang (3-3) Down 1

A good opportunity matchup wise, but their opponent’s scoring pushed this one beyond them. The definition of a rag-tag bunch, they seem to continue to get all their players scoring big at the same time. Could Derek Carr be a more long-term solution at QB? With the turmoil at LV, it seems unlikely, but it would help a lot.

6. IKSAN (3-3) Up 2

An important win for them in the divisional matchup, made possible by Josh Allen once again. I worried this team might become reliant on him, and losing Chubb for a few weeks will reinforce that. They have plenty of role players, but need someone like Harris or Jacobs to find a little consistency, in relief.

5. Patistan (3-3) Down 2

Anyone else getting déjà vu? From my top ranked team, to starting Freeman and Hubbard in mere weeks, the injuries are really piling on. They are still in a good spot, but this is no longer the feared team they started out as. How long they stay there could well be determined by how quickly people return from IR.

4. FTMAL (3-3) No Change

With Mahomes now sat exactly where everyone expected him to be, at the top of the QB charts, this team continues just as top heavy as expected. They have scored a lot of points, and sit at the top of the 3-3 bunch, but bye weeks are coming – we shall wait and see how they adapt.

3. Bear Necessities (3-3) Up 2

A strong week made on the back of a DST and K that were drafted for the exact reason of being every week starters, it is working pretty well too. The real draft star has been Fournette though, playoff Lenny has turned up 3 months early and looks to have an extremely valuable role is a high-octane offense. 

2. Forge Flyers (5-1) No Change

This team is so loaded, that big weeks like this don’t seem that surprising, which is perhaps the biggest complement I could give. It would also probably be enough for this blurb, but that isn’t what you pay you league subs for. I like the Callaway pick up, with such a set starting lineup, he can sit an wait until needed.

1. The Dream Team (5-1) No Change

The best teams win when they have a bad week, and that was not a great week. It also cost them the official top seed, but they cling on in these rankings. The reason? I think they are slightly better prepared for the bye weeks than their nearest competition. That theory will be well and truly tested this week, missing their top two RBS and preferred QB.

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Yeah, these top two teams are really starting to separate themselves, in just about every category. For the rest of us though, plenty left to fight for with (just over) half a season to do it. Good luck, one and all.

2021 Power Rankings: Week 6

Good afternoon Coaches! Please join me as I once again hurry to push through ahead of these pesky London games. After a few notable injuries and a week of big spending on the waivers, there is plenty to unpack on roster movements. But, the podcast handles all that stuff, so don’t expect to see too much of it here. Nope, here we are all about the sweeping statements and narrow-viewed opinions that keep us firmly seated in the silver medal position for useful LOC media content. I couldn’t be prouder. So, please, read on.

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12. Napolitans (1-4) No Change

It took a truly historical night from Lamar, but the dramatic MNF result drags them to their first win. This is obviously a momentous occasion, so momentous that I almost don’t want to mention, you know, the whole Barkley thing. Just when things are starting to look up, you find Devontae Booker sneaking into your starting roster. It was the right move, and he did well in relief last week, fingers crossed.

11. Buccing The Trend (2-3) No Change

Finally, they got that spark they were looking for. One of the more complete results on the week, with points coming from most everywhere on the roster. Kamara finally looked like the top pick he was expected to be, and D.K. became a focal point again. Of course, his QB is now out, and Kamara is on a bye, and strong pickup Williams is on the covid list. Add all that together and what do you get? 5 starting WRs, one of whom is Josh Gordon. Fantastic.

10. U R Gould (2-3) No Change

Despite a lot going against them, they managed to pull a win out of the hat. That is normally the sign of a team having a god season, so perhaps a turning point? With a couple of new IRs, they are possibly the least healthy team in the league at this point, so could be some challenging weeks ahead.

9. Burdettinators (2-3) No Change

Every time I think this team is starting to move in the right direction, they stutter again. The Sanders pick up looks nice, although he probably won't see that level of volume on a week not against the Chiefs. But he was the top scoring non-QB, which pretty much highlights their problem, no consistent contributors. Speaking of QBs, maybe trying to pick correctly between Dak and Stafford each week isn't as enviable as it sounds, nor easy. 

8. IKSAN (2-3) No Change

C’mon, how did Coach Sherwood miss the 30-point Mark Andrews week? We totally all saw that coming, right? Truth is, it wasn’t a bad week by any means, although losing Chubb will hurt them. It sounds short term, but he had been their most consistent performer thus far. They’ll be hoping their receivers start to get a bigger piece of the pie to help contribute more again.

7. Tom’s Tyrants (2-3) No Change

Overthinking and playing matchups over talent, classic fantasy manager problems. They had a rough week in a matchup they really needed to win to start moving up the rankings. Hopefully lessons were learned.

6. Gridiron Gang (3-2) No Change

Not a bad score, but the spot plays couldn’t save them on this occasion, you never want to be someone’s first win. The QB rotation and the pickups are starting to pile up, papering over some cracks in the supposed starters on this team. Trading for A. Brown because A. Brown is underperforming? Good move and confusing headline all in one. As you’ll see shortly, I think this was actually a rare, WR for WR, win-win trade. Odd.

5. Bear Necessities (2-3) No Change

Not a bad week all in all, unfortunate to be blown away like that. Replacing Wilson will be the key here, with Darnold getting the first stab at it. They’re clinging onto a playoff spot with a sub .500 record at the moment, so can’t afford for the adjustment to take that long. I like the Claypool trade as well, although playing as many Bucs as possible each week doesn’t seem like a bad plan.

4. FTMAL (3-2) No Change

As decent scoring week, just up against a stronger team overall. Injuries and inactives are starting to tally up now, nothing too major, but enough to question the depth of a team. They will stay dangerous as long as Mahomes and Adams are balling, Henderson’s backfield snap count is also a pleasant surprise as a contributor.

3. Patistan (3-2) Down 2

Brady did it again, a good week on the back of the crazy Bucs passing O. The bad news, and the reason they couldn’t cling onto top spot any longer, was that CMC hit IR and will now spend longer than expected on the side-lines. Chubba can cover, but he’s not the No. 1 overall pick after all. 

2. Forge Flyers (4-1) No Change

They’re nowhere near as reliant on him as the Titans, but it would be very interesting to see how this team would be doing if they hadn’t Nathwani’d their way up for King Henry. With Carson and Mixon both struggling with various levels of health concerns, the reliance could grow even stronger, not that that really seems to be an issue. Oh, by the way, it was another strong week.

1. The Dream Team (4-1) Up 2

It seems to be someone different going off each week, but the point is, it is always someone. With such high scoring potential all over the roster, this team couldn’t linger any lower anymore, with the on-team Chargers doing the heavy lifting on this occasion. I’m not really sure what else to say at this point. Oh yeah, they spent big on arguably the top waiver wire commodity of the week, the rich may be getting richer.

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So, fun fact: last week, my top three teams won, my bottom three teams won and my middle six all lost. I guess, mathematically, that make me officially 50% good at this. And, you know, that isn’t half bad. Unless you count the fact that it is, indeed, exactly half bad. 

2021 - London Calling

 Hello and welcome to the LOC Report! We've had our early bye here at LOC HOQ already, so we're back into the action for the rest of the season, coming out strong with a game day pod! Commissioner Stubbs and Co-host Chris Leach recap the Week 5 games (as well as touching back on week 4) and preview week 6, where we have a London Bowl on the cards.

2021 Power Rankings: Week 5

Hello again Coaches, welcome to the 5^th edition of this year’s Power Rankings! And, happily, Week 5 brings the return of the London games, which were sorely missed this time last year. This return to London also means the early kick offs set to catch out last minute team changers (and last minute Power Ranking writers), so we all have to be a little better prepared. Hence, the rankings, read on… 

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12. Napolitans (0-4) No Change

They may not be the worst team in the league, but if other teams keep piling the points on like that, it won’t really matter. There were encouraging signs in Week 4, particularly from the core of RBs, but it still didn’t amount to an overly impressive score. Baby steps, but if things keep trending in this direction, it won’t be long before that 0 becomes a 1.

11. Buccing The Trend (1-3) No Change

Another week where the players seemed to underperform. Taking punts on the waivers is the right thing to be doing, and the big price paid for Williams will be more than worth it if they can sneak a couple of wins whilst he is the starter. They need a spark from somewhere and, spoiler alert, they seemed to find one in Week 5 TNF.

10. U R Gould (1-3) Down 1

Not good. I mean, obviously things would have been very different had talisman Gould not injured himself in the pregame warmups, but these things happen. Lamb and Williams both hit their floors, they’ll bounce back, a fully healthy Cook would also help a lot. They’re better than that score.

9. Burdettinators (2-2) Up 1

Much more like it from them, and a much more well-rounded performance too. Picking between Prescott and Stafford each week is a nice problem to have, whilst Mooney finally looking like the player all that offseason hype promised is also encouraging. They’ve put good ground between themselves and the 3 teams below them.

8. IKSAN (2-2) No Change

Missed opportunity there, too many players not really doing anything of note. There is plenty of reason to think that those players will improve though, Cooks and Harris had horrible matchups and game scripts, whilst Jacobs is still getting back to full fitness. Conner establishing himself in that Cardinals backfield could be a fruitful development though.

7. Tom’s Tyrants (2-2) No Change

A good win and a fairly balanced performance. They’ll still be hoping for more from Allen, but targets and touches are trending in the right direction across the board. The bench was starting to look a bit sorry for itself, some necessary shuffling in the waivers.

6. Gridiron Gang (3-1) Down 1

Hey, a win is a win, right? Rotating QBs always results in a few subpar weeks, but first round pick Zeke is now well in his stride and carried them to this win. Aside from trading Raiders’ receivers in the waivers, their roster is starting to look more settled, bigger scores needed to move up the rankings though.  Is the 3-1 record deceiving?

5. Bear Necessities (2-2) Down 2

Just didn’t quite work out for them last week, a few of their RB timeshares suddenly aren’t looking so encouraging either. They’ve not dropped due to the Wilson injury (although that could come next week), they just don’t look quite as dangerous as the teams around them right now. Kelce bounce-back game incoming, for sure.

4. FTMAL (3-1) Up 2

Firstly, apologies to 'forgot to make a logo' and their adoring fanbase, I have only just updated the team name, kinda dropped the ball there. Secondly, good bounce back result, with huge performances from Mahomes and the Bills DST. This team is exactly what we expected, relying on the big names each week but, as long as they stay healthy, they will be a constant threat. A classic team that you never want to face.

3. The Dream Team (3-1) Up 1

One of those weeks where everyone seemed to be at their best, taking them from bottom of the division to the very top seed (only in the LOC right?). They move up one space for now, but the gap between my top 3 is exceedingly close. I think they have enough bench options to keep it up through the bye weeks as well.

2. Forge Flyers (3-1) No Change

Big battle at the top, and they just about snuck it. Whilst the on-field players weren’t at their most convincing, the bench had a great game. Could Patterson be the most unlikely star player since the infamous Perriman pickup up of this very team? He’ll get his chance this week. 

1. Patistan (2-2) No Change

Picking up where they left off in 2020 by going for the injury title once again. They still put up a good score without McCaffrey, and they would have won had they not lost RB2 Montgomery mid-game. They’re only a game behind the top spots, and with the injuries not being too severe so far, I see no reason to drop them at this stage.

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Another week without too many changes. Either I’m finally starting to get the hang of this, or the league is starting to settle out. Now, enjoy the week and, almost more importantly, enjoy the NFL being back in the country*!

*Apologies to any coaches or coordinators who may be reading from outside the UK…

2021 Power Rankings: Week 4

Good afternoon! Once again, the weekend is upon us and I must still be in pre-season mode, because I’m not quite sure where all these fantasy weekdays are going. It helps to appreciate the rightful inclusion of the podcast into the HOF this offseason, quite the commitment week in week out. So we must congratulate co-host Leach for that induction again, because it was all him of course, no others credits due. Anyone, better get these rankings out, before their weekly relevance is spent.

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12. Napolitans (0-3) No Change

Speaking of still being in pre-season mode, it has been a rough welcome to the league for the Napolitans. They have had the points absolutely stacked against them, but they haven’t put up many in return either. Getting Moss into the starting line-up is overdue now, he could provide some spark to a stagnant roster.

11. Buccing The Trend (1-2) Down 3

It wasn’t particularly pretty, but they won’t care one bit, a win is a win and it lifts them from the twelfth seed. Losing Julio and Chark was not quite as good news, however, and this roster still looks a little lost. If Josh Gordon makes the difference, then I may have to quit fantasy, but he is exactly the kind of wildcard they need to spark them up again.

10. Burdettinators (1-2) No Change

Not their best week, with players struggling to even get the ball in their hands, let alone scoring points. A few roster additions and the return of Johnson should guarantee them some slightly higher volume options. They need to start getting some consistent scores from someone other than Dak to start pushing towards the triple figure weekly scores.

9. U R Gould (1-2) No Change

Perhaps the first all-receiver play of the season? Gotta love superflex, but it didn’t work out this time. They need to get Cook back and healthy, and I am still amazed they’re rostering all those QBs. Mike Williams however, that looks to be working out rather nicely and CEH finally did something, hopefully a turning point.

8. IKSAN (2-1) Up 3

Allen turned up! And started repaying that early selection that could make this team very dangerous going forward. Now, their second and third top scorers last week were the Kicker and DST, so I’m not getting crazy excited, but I was clearly too low on this team off the bat. Also, where is Tucker’s 6-point field goal? I demand an AGM.

7. Tom’s Tyrants (1-2) No Change

Losing trust in a first round pick early in the season is never a good sign, especially when benching him costs you the matchup. They’re not in the worst shape, but Murray’s down-week revealed some of the gaps that he had been patching. Playing matchups is going to continue to be a weekly battle with a lot of solid but unspectacular options.

6. ASIPE (2-1) No Change

Anyone else let out a sigh of relief when you saw they had lost? I did, a big one. It wasn’t the worst week, and they’ll be encouraged to see Adams warming up. But, losing Shepard and Gronk, plus continued health concerns for Henderson, is going to start to test the depth which was always a question mark. 

5. Gridiron Gang (2-1) No Change

Can we still call it a Stubbs bowl with the added hint of Merritt? Whether we can or not, it was a good one. Maybe it was the hint of Merritt that brought the drama. Zeke made this win, there is no doubt there, and him maintaining that level of play could be the key to their season. They’re starting to pile up the health issues though and they’ve lost the safe play of the Broncos DST, time to start that penchant tinkering.

4. The Dream Team (2-1) No Change

Amazingly, they find themselves bottom of the division, despite two big winning weeks out of three. Chase is looking better and better with Burrow’s trust, making up for Hill’s less impressive weeks, and Robinson has fallen back into that 2020 form as well. Their biggest weakness may genuinely be the strength of their division.

3. Bear Necessities (2-1) Down 1

It was a bad week in general for the remaining undefeated teams. They would have been sleeping soundly Monday night as well, but that is fantasy. It was a solid week in general, just without anyone doing anything too special. They’ll be hoping Wilson and Diggs can return to form and get them back to winning ways this week.

2. Forge Flyers (2-1) Up 1

In past seasons, Coach Leach has made a habit of picking players in the early-middle rounds the exact right seasons to get the most out of them. He appears to have managed that again. It looks like a very strong team now, certainly stronger than I thought fresh out of the draft, and has claimed the top seed now. No one will want to play them at the moment.

1. Patistan (2-1) No Change

Losing McCaffrey was bad, we’ve covered that, but he shouldn’t be out too long. They spent big on Hubbard (not that they really have a choice) and should have covered themselves as a result. More importantly, they have enough star power elsewhere on the roster to keep them winning, as displayed last week.

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8 No Changes?? That must be my record, particularly this early in the season. Of course, I am in control of such things, so I could just decide to beat that record next week. Good luck all, enjoy the matches.