2023 - Power Rankings Week 4

 Hello LOC! It has been a while but the Commish is back with a power rankings article. I may have some rust to knock off so please bear with me, as my media is more geared to audio and visual platforms nowadays! But let’s give it a crack…last week was broadly a good week and probably the most enjoyable of the season - so what does that mean for the LOC?

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12. Hey Doug (0-3) – No Change

As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Whilst they remain in the bottom spot, I firmly believe this team will pick up some wins this year, certainly if Johnathan Taylor comes back in full force. Despite that however, you’d be hard pressed to favour TE FC in many games this season.

11. Buccing The Trend (0-3) – No Change

I’m not copying and pasting, I promise (though this would make writing the article much quicker). Another good outing last week but once again they’ve had a ton of points dropped on them (they were firmly tanked last week). But despite that, Tua and the special teams did mask a rather dismal display - but Tua can likely be counted on for that. Their season rests on Jacoba returning to form and Barkley returning healthy. If Cam Akers becomes a thing on the Vikings I’m not going to be happy.

1. ACTUALLY 10: U R Gould (3-0) - down 5

No I’m not doing this to prove a point that I’m copying and pasting (but it would work right?). Yes I know that they’re 3-0, but they’ve not even conceded 200 points on the year (that’s an average of less than 70 points per game), and are mid table in points forward. On the one hand they’ve basically been playing without a QB, on the other special teams have propped them up. I don’t think they’re bad, but they’re definitely due some regression to the mean. 

1. ACTUALLY 9: Tom’s Tyrants (1-2) - up 1

I really don’t know what to make of this team. After week 1 I was very down on this team, week 2 showed me something I didn’t think was there, and week 3 confirmed my initial suspicions. They deeply need Burrow to get healthy and perform as wins are going to be hard to come by if he doesn’t. Wilson and London aren’t playable in my eyes. Robinson will be fine in positive game scripts. Cook is nice but touchdowns may be elusive. Thielen and Allen are bright spots.

1. ACTUALLY 8: Forge Flyers (0-3) - No Change

This team really shouldn’t be 0-3. On paper that RB room looks nasty. Preseason that RB room looked nasty. Now it looks like a nasty bathroom at a retirement home. But we’ve seen Henry start slow before, the Texans will get healthier and have an o-line better than 4th string, and Stevenson will do better when the schedule lightens up. The WR room is still elite, and cousins could be the FA QB of the season. Coach Leach needs to stop leaving points on the bench though, he’ll be the first to say it’s entering meme territory. 

1. ACTUALLY 7: Patistan (3-0) - No Change

Tom’s rankings seem pretty good so far tbf. I think Pat has a good team, but I don’t think he has a great team. Much like Coach GB, he’s benefited a lot from a low points against. He’s changed QBs more times than he’s changed his underwear, but still doesn’t seem to have found a good answer. Jefferson Olave and Walker are legit, behind that it’s a nice group but nothing gets me too excited. If Kamara comes back as a legit RB option this could really take them to the next level. 

1. ACTUALLY 6: Burdettinators (3-0) - down 5

This may be somewhat controversial, but hear me out. Hurts and Adams are elite (obviously). But with yet another season ending injury from Mike Williams this team has been decimated. Credit to Ollie for getting them to 3-0, whilst finding viable players in Collins, Swift, Ford and Williams to plug the gap though. But I’m not sure if I want to be counting on 3 of those 4 week in week out, especially with bye weeks looming. Like the Rice add, if he becomes Mahomes’ number 1 receiver be may have just found another diamond in the rough. 

1. ACTUALLY 5: Great Scott (1-2) - up 1

I wasn’t planning on putting Geoff’s team up this high, but here we are! Despite the record (and a very fortunate punt return TD in overtime on the last play of MNF football in week 1 that I’m DEFINITELY still not bitter about, which is the difference between them being 0-3) they do have a nice side. Lawrence and Chase really haven’t got going yet but the team has still been solid, if they do it’ll be scary. Gibbs is looking worse and worse for ROI with each passing week, but we could see the Miami RB stack with Achane and Mostert make up for that. 

1. ACTUALLY 4: The Dream Team (2-1) - down 2

This team is dripping in talent, but I’m not entirely convinced it’s dripping in fantasy talent…but it certainly has the potential to be. Herbert and Hill are the obvious standouts, but Lamb, McLaurin,

Hall and Etienne have all looked better on the team sheet than in the box score. If they get going though this team will be tough to beat. Davis and palmer are nice depth pieces too.

1. ACTUALLY 3: Gridiron Gang (2-1) - up 1

Until it doesn’t remain the case any longer I’m going to keep saying it. The last time I scored less than 80 points in a week was week 11 of the 2021 season. We all know consistency is hard to come by in fantasy, and I’ve been on a good run. I’m also unlucky not to be 3-0 (as above). I somehow got 120 last week starting tutu Atwell and tank dell - who may actually be nice pieces possibly. Getting healthier with Monty and Waddle returning, this team is set up well for another potential return to the playoffs.

1. ACTUALLY 2: Bear Necessities (2-1) - up 7

The highest riser on the week, and a point of confusion for the podcast duo - why were they so low to begin with? A strong starting lineup with depth to boot. We’ll see what Nacua looks like with Kupp back, but it’s hard to find many holes to poke in this team. The players just need to deliver. Though I’m somewhat befuddled not the $11 bid for Mitchell. 

1. IKSAN (1-2) - up 2

Coach Sherwood historically owns the Stubbs’, so losing to both of them two weeks on the trot is a marked difference for them. But, as Ben said in the draft video, the head to head isn’t too insightful, just curious. What is insightful is that like myself, the last time Ben scored less than 80 points in a week was week 17 of 2021. Considering this team has started the season mostly without 3 of their top 4 draft picks, but is only 1 of 4 teams to score 300 points or more so far, is nothing short of remarkable. When they get healthy don’t be surprised to see them terrorise the league. Evans and Myers are a revelation. They need to get away from Mattison though. 

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There it is, my first foray back into the power rankings for some time. I look forward to Tom completely reverting the rankings back to his version the following week. But in the meantime, have a good weekend, fantasy and otherwise!

2023 - You Feeling Ok NFL?

 Hello and welcome to another episode of the LOC Report! Can someone please check in on the NFL? We didn't have multiple serious injuries this week, something must be up. Joking aside, it was nice to enjoy a (mostly) injury free week, where we actually saw some very good fantasy and NFL football alike. Commissioner Stubbs and Co-host Chris Leach take you all through it, recapping week 3 and previewing week 4.

2023 - Don't Take Gambling Advice From Us

 Hello and welcome to another episode of the LOC Report! Now fully into the in season episodes, Commissioner Stubbs and Co-host Chris Leach recap week 2 for you whilst previewing week 3 - but if last week is anything to go off, don't listen to us when we tell you who is going to win....

Power Rankings 2023: Week 3

Hello, hello, and welcome, Coaches! It’s Week 3 and your favourite fortnightly article is back. And, it gets better, I’ve been paying very little attention since draft day, so these will be… drumroll please… vague! So yeah, get ready to read more on that key injury we all know about, that team that is totally defying expectations, and some other stuff that is super important. Read on.

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12. Young Jedi (0-2) – No Change

Not much to see here, unless you count the name change. Which, to be fair, we should count, because it is a core principle of the team and, often, a good midweek laugh. Definitely some underperformers so far, Diggs and Kelce topping the list, but there are plenty of signs of life. The lack of consistent RB touches is notable.

11. Buccing The Trend (0-2) – No Change

The point scoring hasn’t been terrible, but results have eluded them thus far, leaving them very much where they started two weeks ago and top of the points conceded column. The Jacobs and Hopkins picks were concerns of mine, which have so far been validated. Barkley (when fit again), Smith and Tua have proven they can contribute big scores, some more consistency would be useful though.

10. Tom’s Tyrants (1-1) – No Change

This blurb would have read far worse if the rankings had made it out last week, following Kupp to IR, a disappearing act from Burrow, and a catch-less London. However, all of a sudden, it doesn’t seem too bad, following the top score in Week 2. Allen and Robinson have both stepped up to, so far, exceed draft position. If Kupp returns in Week 5, they should be dangerous.

9. Bear Necessities (1-1) – Down 1

Another team benefitting from the lack of rankings last week, although movement around them means they still, unluckily, drop a place. Lamar returned to expected output, and Bijan just looks incredible. Deebo getting back into the end zone rushing as well makes this one of the most exciting teams to watch. Winning the Puka Nacua sweepstakes makes them early favourites for waiver add of the year.

8. Forge Flyers (0-2) – Down 3

Sometimes teams do quite well but get absolutely rallied on. That could be the whole blurb, to be honest, but I’ll go on. They looked more encouraging after Week 1, with Ridley and Aiyuk seeming to be more matchup/gameplan

dependent. Richardson’s potentially quick return is a bonus, he has looked like the key man so far.

7. Patistan (2-0) – No Change

One of the teams who already feel like they have changed quite a lot, with only 3 skill position starters making it from a lucky Week 1 win, to a strong Week 2 win. The critical information in there is that they are 2-0, although they will be looking for more consistency outside of the otherworldly Jefferson. Zach Moss could prove a nice addition.

6. Great Scott (1-1) – Down 3

Wow, hands up who saw this coming from Chase? St. Brown has been better, but expectations would have been higher. Mostert has been the steal that I thought he could be, so far, with fitness being his ongoing nemesis. His run of fine form is giving the others time to get going. Better things to come from them, maybe Gibbs can prove the key man if Montgomery misses time.

5. U R Gould (2-0) – Up 4

They’re sitting at a very pretty at 2-0 as the number 2 seed, currently, and far above my starting placement. Now, we should say that they have conceded a league low number of points, and that their current top scorers are the Steelers DST, but that does gloss over some other key factors. Namely, Pollard living up to his top of the draft billing, and Jordan Addison getting off to an excellent start.

4. Gridiron Gang (1-1) – No Change

One very tight loss, plus one very tight win, plus two very consistent scores, equals complete lack of movement. Apparently. It’s probably one of Newton’s laws, or something. Anyway, CMC has been exactly as expected so far, while David Montgomery has looked good post the draft hype. Akers has made it 2 for 2 in disappointing ‘breakout’ years, but maybe Minnesota can help. Josh Allen will need to be more consistent for his draft billing.

3. IKSAN (1-1) – Up 3

A strong Week 1 was somewhat undone by losing both Jones, Meyers and Ekeler but, hey, Mike Evans is still a guy. It wasn’t quite enough last week, but they will hopefully return to full fitness soon. Getting back those three, plus the imminent return of Watson will completely change their lineup, showing the depth this team has. Mahomes hasn’t even hit god-mode yet, just very-good-QB-mode.

2. The Dream Team (1-1) – No Change

Back down to Earth after an electric Week 1 performance, this feels like a team that will be hard to place all season long. The core players of this team remain incredible, and Hall showed what he could do when fully fit, teasing a midround

steal before a <1pt performance in Week 2. There is a lot of game-breaking talent in here, teams aren’t going to want to face them.

1. Burdettinators (2-0) – No Change

Well, a lot has changed since the draft, but they sit as the number 1 seed, so that’s a pat on the back for them (and me). Dobbins and Chubb are done, but Ford and Williams are waiting in the wings, so some good adds there for sure. I’m not even going to touch Swift for another couple of weeks at least, but the Stroud-Collins connection looks very interesting. Overall, despite everything, they remain a very strong looking team.

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Not too bad, for a two-week break from the post draft rankings, at least. Six ‘No Change’s, mostly at either end of the rankings, and only a little bit of chaos in the middle. It is still early doors though, so bring on the next game week, and bring on the next set of rankings, whenever they may be. Until next time.

2023 - The Fantasy Gods Demand Blood

 Hello and welcome to another episode of the LOC Report! The 2023 LOC and NFL season has officially begun and we're onto week 2 already. As always week 1 affirmed some beliefs and cast others aside completely, and in other cases we have inconclusive results. But what we can all agree on is it wasn't a fun week when it came to injuries - both pre-kickoff and during the games. Commissioner Stubbs and Co-host Chris Leach recap week 1 and preview week 2.

2023 - Power Rankings Week 0

 2023 Power Rankings: Week 1

 

Good evening, Coaches! Welcome all to a brand newseason and, in particular, Geoff to a brand new league! It was another excellent LOC day this year, with a fun and different approach to the league event, made possible by more masterful spreadsheet-ing. But, of course, the main event was the draft in itself. With, in my opinion, the best draft video to date as an aperitif, I now offer you these Power Rankings as suitable digestif, underscoring the offseason and bridging us into 2023. As an extra treat, I’ve included my favourite, least favourite and key picks, which I usually just use as notes for Week 1. This year, I thought I’d share them, so, please, enjoy!

 

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12. Louis

 

Favourite Pick: Kyle Pitts​Least Favourite Pick: Dallas Goedert​

Key Man: Jonathan Taylor

 

Hard to analyse, as with each year. Always good for a laugh on the day, we know that auto-draft brings out the TE picks that our league format detracts value from. Andrews, Kittle, and, in particular, Pitts were all decent values with their potential upside though. Watson is a wildcard, but the return of Jonathan Taylor will be the key. Will he return after 4 weeks? Could it be for a potentially far stronger team? He could be massive this year.

 

11. Buccing The Trend 

 

Favourite Pick: Josh Jacobs​​Least Favourite Pick: DeAndre Hopkins​

Key Man: Tua Tagovailoa

 

A veteran heavy team, Buccing The Trend will be looking for some former stars to carve out roles on new teams. Nuk, Williams, Zeke, JuJu – there are a range of possibilities here – while Godwin and Pittman are looking at new QBs with big accuracy downgrades. The Barkley/Jacobs kinda-weird-franchise-tag-ish combo has the potential to be league leading, though. Can Tua’s leap in draft price be repaid over a whole season?

 

10. Tom’s Tyrants 

 

Favourite Pick: James Cook​​Least Favourite Pick: Cooper Kupp​

Key Man: Cooper Kupp

 

With 6 second year players, this team is built and primed to ‘make-the-leap’, the question is, can they? Flooded with WR talent, this team should see the fewest RB snaps on the season, with Wilson, Allen, London, and Pickens all ready to grow with new QBs, new systems, or expanded roles. James Cook and Adam Thielen were good values with the share of their offenses they are expected to handle. The news on Cooper Kupp since draft day has not been positive, and it has made his position atop the board more questionable. 

 

9. U R Gould 

 

Favourite Pick: Robbie Gould Darren Waller​Least Favourite Pick: Robbie Gould Quentin Johnston​​Key Man: Robbie Gould Justin Fields

 

After Robbie Gould was surprisingly drafted, and unceremoniously cut, this blurb has changed somewhat. The top 3 draft picks ooze star power, all having posted excellent stats in 2022, yet with room to grow further. Don’t be mistaken though, Justin Fields is the soul of the team and, if his rushing totals continue, he’s got a shot at #1 overall scorer. I liked the value of Darren Waller as a TE/WR1 hybrid, but the three rookies that followed make for questionable depth.

 

8. Bear Necessities 

 

Favourite Pick: Lamar Jackson​Least Favourite Pick: Deebo Samuel

Key Man: Bijan Robinson

 

A very strong start to the draft here, solid RBs with near guaranteed roles, backed up with a #1 overall QB contender towards the end of the early run. The receiver room doesn’t fill me with confidence, with some uncertain roles and likely bad offenses, but prominent snap shares for Williams and/or Cook could alleviate that. When you draft a rookie in the first round, a lot is bound to rest on his shoulders.

 

7. Patistan

 

Favourite Pick: Jahan Dotson​Least Favourite Pick: Najee Harris​

Key Man: Geno Smith

 

Geno Smith could easily have been the favourite pick here as well. Patistan were bold, they waited out the QBs, and they came out with a potential steal if last season’s form can be repeated. This is an excellent collection of WRs, and I think Dotson in particular could prove a great value pick. Harris felt like a pick made by a coach who didn’t want to leave Rounds 2/3 without aRB, he will need to show markedly better efficiency in an improved Steelers offense, or lose touches. Picking at the turn can do that, as anything can happen before your next picks. 

 

6. IKSAN 

 

Favourite Pick: Samaje Perine​Least Favourite Pick: Christian Watson

Key Man: Patrick Mahomes

 

An interesting team to place for me, after a resoundingly poor effort last year. I have nothing against Christian Watson as a pick, but it is quite early to double up on an offense with some question marks. Having said that, I love trying to get a couple of 1a/1b options in the new Payton-led Broncos. Hypocrisy, I know, but what are you going to do about it? Mattison could prove an excellent value in the middle rounds, but I am less convinced by Mike Evans. They will go as far as Mahomes can take them which, as we know, is pretty darn far.

 

5. Forge Flyers

 

Favourite Pick: Anthony Richardson​Least Favourite Pick: Rhamondre Stevenson​Key Man: Derrick Henry

 

King Henry to Forge Flyers was written in the stars and, with his stable of bruising backs, the gameplan is clearand well proven. Stevenson was a little rich for me, with some top pass catchers available, but the team was rounded out nicely with a collection of affordable receivers who have the potential to be target hogs. I especially liked the late Romeo Doubs pick to add to the collection. Richardson and Dak make for a very nice budget QB rotation.

 

4. Gridiron Gang 

 

Favourite Pick: Rashod Bateman​Least Favourite Pick: David Montgomery

Key Man: Christian McCaffrey

 

First and foremost, I don’t dislike the Montgomery pick, it was just a massive anticlimax after all the potential trade attempts, consider me neutral. The middle of this draft is filled with RB potential, if Gridiron Gang can get a couple of hits, they’ll be laughing. Jaylen Waddle needs to maintain his crazy efficiency all the time Hill is hogging the targets, but he’s more than capable. JSN and, particularly, Bateman are high upside receivers to have on the bench. They just need a full season of CMC and they’ll be laughing.

 

3. Great Scott

 

Favourite Pick: Raheem Mostert​Least Favourite Pick: Jahmyr Gibbs 

Key Man: Miles Sanders

 

Buoyed by a couple of high-value, superstars at receiver, Great Scott set about hitting the RBs left, right, and centre. If some of the larger roles potentially available to Sanders, White, and maybe Mostert pay off, this could be a ridiculously high-volume fantasy team. Sanders, above all others, is being talked up as a workhorse, and could repeat his strong previous year. Gibbs is an X-factor, for sure, but he has to come out of the gates fast to pay off the draft price. T-Law was a nice touch at a decent price.

 

2. The Dream Team

 

Favourite Pick: Justin Herbert​Least Favourite Pick: 49ers​​

Key Man: Breece Hall

 

Season-long, this is one of my favourite drafts. I think the top three were all excellent values, and getting Justin Herbert after the main QB run is a great result. Whilst the timing and quality of the 49ers pick in not in doubt, I feel that the pick may have been better spent on a higher quality depth option. McLaurin, Hall, Jeudy, and Toney all have questionable statuses to start the season, Hunt doesn’t even have a team. Having said that, if Hall returns to his rookie form quickly, a 3-down RB in the 6thround could be season defining.

 

1. Burdettinators

 

Favourite Pick: Diontae Johnson​Least Favourite Pick: J.K. Dobbins​

Key Man: Davante Adams

 

This is best built Burdettinators team I’ve seen, immediately after the draft at least, for several seasons. A steady base of receivers, with good target shares and high upsides, form the core of the team. Hurts is also a very strong QB option with a high floor. The rushing touches for Dobbins and Swift remain a slightly unknown quantity, but both have clear routes to valuable touches in high-powered offenses. If Jimmy G can keep Adams saturated with good opportunities, he will be a bargain.

 

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And, there you have it! As always, take the rankings with a pinch of salt, perhaps draft ranks out of 10 would be an easier way to convey a clear opinion? Oh well, park that one for next year. Hopefully, these are slightly more interesting, and less random, than the NFL.com draft recaps. If I’m less accurate than that… well… probably time to reevaluate life a little.

2023 - LOC Super Saturday Recap & Week 1 Preview!

 Hello and welcome to another episode of the LOC Report! LOC Christmas has come and gone, with LOC Super Saturday happening on the 2nd of September. Commissioner Stubbs and Co-host Chris Leach recap last years winner Ben Sherwood's division aligning event, the new divisions, and also recap the 2023 LOC Draft. If that wasn't enough they'll even preview week 1 as well - aren't you lucky!