Week 12: The Playoff Picture Begins to Take Shape

 Gary Workman Weekly Power Rankings

1. Ready for A Full Load (9-2) -- W2

For perspective, a list of teams in our league history who have started 9-2:

1. Annual Fucking Landslide (2019) put up 46 points losing to Glenn's in week 12, bowed out in first round of playoffs

2. Stairway to Evans (2016) lost to Steve 141-119.14 in week 12, league champion

3. Money or Nothing Next Year (2014) beat Travis 104.32-101.94 in week 12, lost in first round playoffs by his own doing

That's the list. Where Load goes from here is anyone's guess. The best regular season record in league history, pure W-L is 10-4. With several of the regular season records but only one championship to show for it in seven seasons, we'll see if he places a priority on padding his Fantasy Football Reference page, or if he's trying to add some hardware to the trophy case.

2. Fully Supported Troops (7-4) -- W4

Really had to dive into the numbers on this one: during Ty's four-game win streak, Dalvin Cook has scored 115 fantasy points. That's nearly 17 more than the next closest player in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers, and is close to double the next RB, Alvin Kamara #Analytics

There was all this stink around Dalvin heading into fantasy drafts due to a contract dispute, but kudos to Ty for pulling the trigger. That is one decision that has worked out in a big way (see: Cowboys WRs as one that hasn't) and it has pretty much saved his season. 

I don't have a stat on this, but I feel like Ty's teams annually are built around drafting players that aren't the trendy pick. Many years it works out in a big way, a few it has not. 

But this year if Dalvin keeps it up and Ty's team gives him enough around that monster, it may carry him to the title game.

3. Glenn's (6-5) -- L2

If you're selling your Glenn's stock, I'm buying it. Having McCaffrey out hurts, but if he does end up coming back in the next week or two as expected, watch out. The games he has suited up for, he gets 20+ points guaranteed. It remains to be seen how the Panthers treat his status, particularly with them largely out of the playoff picture, but I bet they're not ready to call it for him unless there's a major setback.

Diontae Johnson continues to trend upward in Pittsburgh, and a pedestrian week by Ridley is sweetened a bit with a possible Julio injury making him the undisputed #1 again. A major matchup looms this week against the Troops. 

History tells us at least one team has made the playoffs all but one year (2016) by going 7-7. By getting to that number this week, Glenn's gives himself a chance while also granting two more weeks to guarantee a spot.

4. Fighting NRCA's (5-6) -- W2

I'm not going to spout off like I have in years past about #ExcelLate because frankly it's still to early, and I'm also a believe in FF karma. We're not there yet, but we're trending upward. Transfer student Taysom just got to the NRCA squad, and we're excited to have him.

It's not all rainbows, sunshine and bench clapping in NRCA land though, with WR1 Adam being put on the COVID list. As of Tuesday late morning, haven't seen any reports whether he was just exposed or tested positive. That looms large for our planning this week, but we will proceed with the hopes of having him and my ill-fated love interest Raheem Mostert back. 

5. Rowdy Rhinos (5-6) -- W1

Rhinos have now won five out of their last six and are hard-charging. It's fitting two of the most impactful waiver pickups this season have led much of this charge with the baby-faced Herbert and Justin Jefferson.

Kelce and Hill are unbelievable week-to-week, and Sloany's faith in The Team's RBs and Zeke has started to pay off. A big matchup looms this week between power ranking teams 5 and 6, Sloany and T-Rav. In the wake of this: allow me to introduce the intra-NRCA records this season, with a total of six matchups per year for North Raleigh's own:

Steve: 3-2

Travis: 3-2

Sloan: 2-1

Kevin: 1-4

Sloan's got a chance still to take the inter-NRCA divisional championship. He helps his case this week if he can best CWAS.

6. Coach Without A Season (5-6) -- L4

The Russdiculouses have fallen on hard times as of late, but are still very much in the hunt. I will not be the one to count this Coach out, with back-to-back titles after finishing 7-7.

Just as he was about to cash in that Dobbins chip he's held onto all year, the rightful Baltimore RB1 has been put on the COVID protocol list as of Tuesday afternoon. Remains to be seen with him and Ingram out what comes next, but heading into a Thursday night matchup, not a lot of time to determine what happens next.

This week factors big into that pursuit, as our resident play-caller takes on another playoff contender. With T-Rav set to take on Glenn's and Troops in weeks 13 and 14 respectively, would be huge for morale to break the losing streak this week.

7. Demi-God Among Bots (4-7) -- L1

Demi-God has to win out to get to the seven-win threshold. His last stand starts against the Load. Buffalo is back this week which helps, but the RB situation is rough. Eager to see what adjustments he makes in the spirit of not completing the landslide.

8. Revenge of Cobb's Bubble Route (3-8) -- L2

I talked to Mr. Mully this week about fantasy, and I can only equate it to a man  that knows he has been broken by his own choices.

Mahomes and Adams have been very productive at their respective positions, but by having those be his top two picks, he hampered his ability to have a strong RB backfield. I enjoyed the nostalgia of running it back with Gurley, but it's been up and down year for The Gurlz. Now, ROCBR is playing for pride, for the organizational integrity and to hand off The Mully to a different league member this year.

There's plays to be made, pickups to be had, and punishments to avoid. Fight on.