Week 11 #PowerRankings - PANTHERS and SUXS

Thanksgiving is a little later this year, so instead of waiting until after Thanksgiving (with only one game left in the regular season) to break out the PANTHERS, here it is! For those that may have forgotten, PANTHERS = Postseason Analytical NU THANG Happy Endings Real Statistic aka % chance of making playoffs. Also, the corresponding SUXS = Sacko Unfortunate eXit Statistic aka % chance of being Sacko. Very accurate, no flaws.

1. HonkyTonkMcConkeyTime (Eric) (7-4) [1]

Eric’s team finally took a stumble this week after 5+ weeks of sheer dominance. Lamar faced a tough defense, so it’s not a huge surprise. However, the rest of season schedule for Lamar doesn’t look like a walk in the park, either. This upcoming week’s matchup will be a big one in determining who can secure the top spot in league standings, but Eric will also have a few tougher matchups to finish the season against Laura and Jeff Lin - all of them out for blood. Probability-wise, Eric’s got the best chances of ending the season at #1 in league standings, but we’ll see what the FF fates have in store for Eric.

Rest Of Season Schedule Predictions: 

Week 12: Tim (Win)

Week 13: Laura (Win)

Week 14: Jeff Lin (Win)

Final Record Prediction: (10-4)

PANTHERS %: 98%

SUXS %: 0%

2. Maybabyboo (Laura) (7-4) [2]

Joe Mixon exploded on MNF and has been RB1 in terms of points per games played this season. I remember Laura targeting Mixon back in the 2020 draft, thinking he was the next up-and-coming RB star. It has finally come to fruition. It’s ridiculous how good her 4 RBs are, and she’s got enough of a supporting cast to make a deep run in the playoffs. Her Week 13 matchup against Eric will be one to watch and may have some big implications for playoff seeding.

Rest Of Season Schedule Predictions: 

Week 12: Haji (Win)

Week 13: Eric (Loss)

Week 14: Gabs (Win)

Final Record Prediction: (9-5)

PANTHERS %: 94%

SUXS %: 0%

3. It’s Bo Time (Andrew) (7-4) [3]

Very impressive win by Andrew’s team on the back of Bo Nix. Had he not made the trade with me and started CJ Stroud instead, it would have been an ugly week for Andrew. For selfish reasons, I’m glad he got the win over Eric, and hope Bo does well for him to finish the season (thankful he has a Week 14 bye). Now Andrew has got what looks like a weekly QB starter in Bo Time, who also has a pretty easy rest of season schedule. Andrew’s got a very winnable rest of season schedule himself and may end up being a dark horse candidate for Regular Season Champ.

Rest Of Season Schedule Predictions: 

Week 12: Gabs (Win)

Week 13: Luke (Win)

Week 14: Tim (Win)

Final Record Prediction: (10-4)

PANTHERS %: 89%

SUXS %: 0%

4. Justin Time to Catch Achane (Haji) (4-7) [6]

Haji’s team got #HighScore for the week and ended up with a much-needed win. He faces a pretty tough schedule the next two weeks against Laura and Jeff Lin. Haji will have to win the rest of his games to keep his playoff hopes alive. I know he might be thinking his Week 14 matchup against Aaron could be for Sacko, but I think Haji’s Points For are high enough that he’ll remain out of the Sacko conversation. Continued production from Kupp and Achane will help, Justin Herbert is looking solid, and his FAAB spend on Jauan Jennings is paying off big time.

Rest Of Season Schedule Predictions: 

Week 12: Laura (Loss)

Week 13: Jeff Lin (Loss)

Week 14: Aaron (Win)

Final Record Prediction: (5-9)

PANTHERS %: 9%

SUXS %: 4%

5. FULL COMMANDO (Tim) (8-3) [4]

I want to formally thank JaMarr Chase for being the best WR1 I’ve had in a really long time, Jayden Daniels for paying off on the $5 risk I took on him, Kareem Hunt for resurrecting his career for my team, Trey McBride for being the Keeper that was actually worth it, and many others who stepped up when their name was called this season (I see you Tyler Allgeier v. the Panthers). It is because of you all that not only did I not repeat Sacko, but I’ve actually (almost) made the playoffs, AND I’m actually in contention for Regular Season champion! Who would have thunk? This week will be a big week in determining RS Champ as well as who gets a 1st round bye in the playoffs. Again, so glad Eric is not at full strength. He should consider making himself less at full strength just for funsies.

Rest Of Season Schedule Predictions: 

Week 12: Eric (Loss)

Week 13: Gabs (Win)

Week 14: Andrew (Loss)

Final Record Prediction: (9-5)

PANTHERS %: 99%

SUXS %: 0%

6. Love thy Naber (Jeff Lin) (7-4) [5]

Jeff Lin has one of the harder schedules to finish out the season. He needed the Week 11 win to keep his spot in the playoffs more secure, but he’ll need to do more in the way of Points For to continue his 4-game win streak into the postseason. Breece’s easy schedule after the bye should help with that, but Deebo’s production has been looking iffy as of late. Hopefully Jeff’s rookie WRs can pick up the slack to help him finish the season strong. I like Jeff’s chances of making the playoffs based on his record and winning streak momentum, but we’ll see how his difficult schedule plays out.

Rest Of Season Schedule Predictions: 

Week 12: Jeff Chen (Win)

Week 13: Haji (Win)

Week 14: Eric (Loss)

Final Record Prediction: (9-5)

PANTHERS %: 86%

SUXS %: 0%

7. I am not sacko! (Jeff Chen) (4-7) [7]

Jeff Chen has one of the easier schedules to end the season. If he can pull out a win this week in the Battle of the Jeff’s, he’ll keep his (tiny) window to make the playoffs open. He’ll need to win the rest of his games, but v. Aaron and v. Abraham are very winnable games. I do think Nico staying healthy will go a long way in Jeff’s rest of season success. I just think Nico’s return was too late to salvage Jeff’s season.

Rest Of Season Schedule Predictions: 

Week 12: Jeff Lin (Loss)

Week 13: Aaron (Win)

Week 14: Abraham (Win)

Final Record Prediction: (6-8)

PANTHERS %: 4%

SUXS %: 7%

8. Spider Pig (Luke) (6-5) [9]

Luke’s Week 11 win against Gabs kept his team firmly in playoff contention, especially given his rest of season schedule. Games against Abraham and David in Weeks 12 and 14 should be relatively easy wins. Even if Luke drops the game against Andrew, ending the season with a (8-6) should mean securing a playoff spot. Luke is somehow overcoming the suckness of Yahoo Autodraft. Keeping Saquon was probably one of the smartest moves he’s had all season.

Rest Of Season Schedule Predictions: 

Week 12: Abraham (Win)

Week 13: Andrew (Loss)

Week 14: David (Win)

Final Record Prediction: (8-6)

PANTHERS %: 72%

SUXS %: 1%

9. Run It Back! (Gabs) (5-6) [11]

Gabs almost pulled out the win this week with the Houston Defense, but Luke and the Saquon Barkleys were just too strong. Gabs has a major bye week problem coming up in Week 12, and will face some tougher opponents in Weeks 13 and 14 as well. While he’s sitting at 7th place just outside the playoffs right now, I think his tough FF schedule will unfortunately bump him out of playoff contention.

Rest Of Season Schedule Predictions: 

Week 12: Andrew (Loss)

Week 13: Tim (Loss)

Week 14: Laura (Loss)

Final Record Prediction: (5-9)

PANTHERS %: 46%

SUXS %: 3%

10. Terrific Tortoises (David) (3-8) [10]

David’s matchup against Jeff Lin in Week 11 flew a little under the radar, but was a huge blow for David in his quest to avoid Sacko. I don’t have much good advice besides: keep your head up, David. I do think you have an advantage over Aaron this week, and if you can secure this week’s win, I think you’ll be in safe waters to finish this season. Even if that doesn’t work, Abraham’s team is falling apart too, so at least Week 13 will still give you a glimmer of hope for a win. Just hope for better injury luck next year.

Rest Of Season Schedule Predictions: 

Week 12: Aaron (Win)

Week 13: Abraham (Loss)

Week 14: Luke (Loss)

Final Record Prediction: (4-10)

PANTHERS %: 0%

SUXS %: 42%

11. 第六 (Abraham) (4-7) [8] 

I’m not sure what happened to Abraham’s team, but with three straight weeks of scoring the fewest points, something is terribly wrong. Not only has Abraham had to deal with a lot of injuries, the players that should be producing have been nearly MIA, and his lack of depth is showing up in very ugly ways. He doesn’t have a super easy rest-of-season schedule, either. His saving grace is Week 13’s matchup against David, but he’ll need more production if he wants to win that game and stay out of Sacko.

Rest Of Season Schedule Predictions: 

Week 12: Luke (Loss)

Week 13: David (Win)

Week 14: Jeff Chen (Loss)

Final Record Prediction: (5-8)

PANTHERS %: 2%

SUXS %: 11%

12. choubacca (Aaron) (4-7) [12]

From a numbers standpoint, Aaron’s team deserves to be Sacko. Whether or not it will be is TBD. A lot is riding on this Week 12 matchup with David, because Aaron will have a harder time pulling out a victory against Jeff Chen or Haji the following weeks. I can see a path in which Aaron pulls out a win this week if the Baker-Otton stack plays to his favor. CeeDee Lamb seems to still be usable with Cooper Rush, and Tyreek Hill looks ok in spite of his injury. Aaron will need some luck, though, and my predictive model shows he loses out the season and ends up Sacko by way of Points For.

Rest Of Season Schedule Predictions: 

Week 12: David (Loss)

Week 13: Jeff Chen (Loss)

Week 14: Haji (Loss)

Final Record Prediction: (4-10)

PANTHERS %: 1%

SUXS %: 32%

Week 10 #PowerRankings - 90s Music Comp Edition!

 

I decided to go with the tried and true 90s Music Comp Edition this week, to throw in some fun and mix it up. I’ve added to the Spotify playlist, which includes songs from a few years back as well. It's actually not a bad playlist if I say so myself. Enjoy!

1. ihatesaquon.theend. (Eric) (7-3) [1]

Eric missed getting #HighScore this week, but not by much. On top of the big names that have already been carrying Eric’s team, it looks like George Pickens has one of the easier rest-of-season schedules for WRs. And now Eric is just flexing with his FAAB spend on Audric Estime. You don’t need more RBs on your team, Eric. I really don’t see what stops Eric from the championship this year besides some crazy injuries and / or just bad luck.

90s Song Comp: C+C Music Factory - “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)”

“Everybody dance now 

Everybody dance now

Everybody dance now”

Are there even other words to this song? This repetitively catchy song encapsulates Eric’s team this season. Every week is the same: huge production, awesome week, lots of dancing. It’s the same line over and over again: Everybody dance now. Because Eric is dancing to the championship, even if it does feel like a one-hit wonder.. Actually, to be fair, Eric was champ the very first season like.. 21 years ago.

2. Maybabyboo (Laura) (6-4) [3]

I still don’t fully understand how Laura’s team is so good, but it just is. If you told me to start the season that Joe Mixon, D’Andre Swift, and Chase Brown would be one of the best RB trios in our league, I would have put a large sum of money against it. That would have actually sounded like the worst RB trio. Granted, even now it doesn’t sound right, but facts are facts - they have been doing really well for Laura. Also, Darnell Mooney was such a great pickup.

90s Song Comp: Notorious B.I.G. - “Juicy”

“We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us

No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us

Birthdays was the worst days

Now we sip Champagne when we thirsty”

Laura’s season has been a pretty classic rags-to-riches story so far. She started the season with a 1-4 record with one of the worst Points For’s in our league. A 5-game winning streak later, she’s at 6-4, 2nd in Points For, vying for a 1st round bye in the playoffs, and sipping Champagne when she thirstay.

3. Kraft Mac Salad (Andrew) (6-4) [4]

Andrew eked out a win with some luck and help from Jonnu Smith. While his team underperformed this week, I think it’s still pretty formidable with Derrick Henry, as well as Kyler’s easier rest-of-season schedule after the bye.

90s Song Comp: Hootie And The Blowfish - “I Only Wanna Be With You”

“Well there's nothing I can do

I only wanna be with you

You can call me your fool

I only wanna be with you”

“You” being Derrick Henry, RB#1 for the season and Andrew’s beloved and consistent workhorse. I think if anything happened to Henry, Andrew’s team would be in big trouble. But hopefully that won’t happen - Andrew is hoping for vintage Derrick Henry who seems to do better as the season progresses.

4. FULL COMMANDO (Tim) (8-2) [8]

Thank you, JaMarr Chase! Getting the #HighScore for Week 10 in spite of a dud performance from Jaylen Daniels has given me a little more confidence in my team moving forward. Perhaps Calvin Ridley will turn into what I hoped he would be when I drafted him? One can hope.

90s Song Comp: Smash Mouth - “All Star” 

“My world's on fire, how about yours?

That's the way I like it and I never get bored

Hey now, you’re an all star, get your game on, go play

Hey now, you’re a rock star, get the show on, get paid

And all that glitters is gold

Only shootin’ stars break the mold”

Yes, I feel like an all star / rock star / shooting star / all of the above sitting at #1 in the league standings off the heels of a #HighScore week. My team seems like it’s on fire - and yeah, FF is more fun when you’re winning!

5. Love thy Naber (Jeff Lin) (6-4) [5]

Jeff Lin got the win, but only because Abraham’s team did so poorly. He’s probably found a reliable TE option in Hockenson now, so I think the big pieces Jeff acquired in his trade need to start stepping up to keep Jeff safely in the playoff race.

90s Song Comp: Montell Jordan - “This Is How We Do It”

“This is how we do it, all hands are in the air

And wave them from here to there

If you're an OG mack or a wanna-be player

You see the hood's been good to me

Ever since I was a lower case G

But now I'm a big G

The girls see I got the money

Hundred dollar bills, y'all”

Jeff Lin’s team started strong and ran into a rough patch with injuries and underperformance. I feel like his team is on the upswing now after weathering that storm and after the big trade with Haji. Breece Hall has a nice end-of-season schedule, and Jeff upgraded at QB and TE, which were probably his weakest positions prior to the trade. Given his FF history, I think it’s safe to say this lower case G will become a big G to end the season, and he’s going to show us (again) this is how we do it.

6. Justin Time to Catch Achane (Haji) (3-7) [2]

That loss felt brutal for Haji. After the blockbuster trade, Haji ended up not getting the production he gave up to Jeff Lin. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but it must have been painful to watch Achane only get 7.7 points. I do think Haji’s Points For will be enough to keep him out of Sacko, but things are looking a little dicey.

90s Song Comp: No Doubt - “Don’t Speak”

“You and me, we used to be together

Every day together, always

I really feel that I'm losin' my best friend

I can't believe this could be the end

...

Don't speak, I know just what you're sayin'

So please stop explainin'

Don't tell me 'cause it hurts”

This is Haji’s singing to Breece Hall after trading him away. Breece (and the Jets) have disappointed Haji so much where he was willing to make a sweeping change to his team, including his team’s namesake. But I think inside he is still hurting from losing Breece. That feeling might worsen if Breece blows up with his easy rest-of-season schedule.

7. I am not sacko! (Jeff Chen) (4-6) [7]

I think the equivalent to taking a knee in football for FF is when the other team just doesn’t bother to replace a player that was ruled out on SNF. Jeff Chen’s team didn’t do all that bad, but he was just up against the high score. Joe Burrow seems to be finding a groove, but Jeff will need a lot more help at WR if Nico continues to miss time.

90s Song Comp: DMX - “Party Up (Up In Here)”

“Y'all gon' make me lose my mind

Up in here, up in here

Y'all gon' make me go all out

Up in here, up in here

Y'all gon' make me act a fool

Up in here, up in here

Y'all gon' make me lose my cool

Up in here, up in here”

I do wonder sometimes whether the general league-wide Jeff Chen bashing / hate / shade will cause him to actually snap one day. I guess his team is doing decently enough where he’s been able to back up his insistence on how good his team is with the fact that he’s actually not Sacko. So for that, I'm happy his team is doing better than Sacko. He’s proven me wrong so far this season, I’ll give him that.

8. 第六 (Abraham) (4-6) [6] 

I don’t know what’s going on with Abraham’s team - what once seemed like a juggernaut has gotten plagued with injuries and underperformance. Kincaid was the next victim to injury (not that he was all that spectacular to start with). The big question moving forward is if Abraham can do enough to overcome the injuries and stay playoff relevant?

90s Song Comp: Ricky Martin - “Livin’ La Vida Loca”

“Upside, inside out

She's livin' la vida loca

She'll push and pull you down

Livin' la vida loca

Her lips are devil red

And her skin's the color mocha

She will wear you out

Livin' la vida loca”

Abraham’s team has been livin la vida loca this season - his standard deviation rank is off the charts. He started the season with the 2nd lowest points scored, then managed to improve and get #HighScore in Weeks 4 and 8, but now his team has been dead last in Points For over the past 3 weeks. It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Abraham’s team, mostly due to injuries and bye weeks - let’s hope he can find some positive stability moving forward.

9. Spider Pig (Luke) (5-5) [9]

Luke reaped the benefit of Brian Robinson being out again, but hopefully (for me) Robinson will be back soon and Ekeler will inevitably be less productive. I’m sure Luke was happy to see Puka get 14 targets - if he can keep that up, Luke might actually be able to squeeze his way into the playoffs.

90s Song Comp: Backstreet Boys - “Quit Playing Games With My Heart”

“Sometimes I wish I could turn back time

Impossible as it may seem

But I wish I could so bad, baby

Quit playing games with my heart”

I bet if Luke could turn back time and somehow fix his Autodraft, he would do it in a heartbeat. But Autodraft and FF continue to play games with his heart - is his team good or bad? I really can’t tell. But he’s 6th in league standings, which counts for something.

10. Terrific Tortoises (David) (3-7) [11]

David’s team actually performed decently this week, and I’m sure he was over the moon about getting CMC back. David had a bad matchup against Laura, but I think brighter days are ahead if CMC can stay healthy.

90s Song Comp: LeAnn Rimes - “How Do I Live”

“Without you

There'd be no sun in my sky

There would be no love in my life

There'd be no world left for me

And I, well baby, I don't know what I would do

I'd be lost if I lost you

If you ever leave

Well, baby you would take away everything

Real in my life

And tell me now

How do I live without you?

I want to know

How do I breathe without you?

If you ever go

How do I ever, ever survive?

How do I, how do I, oh how do I live”

This is David’s ode to CMC. He’s had a rough go without CMC and now that CMC is back, David’s hoping this will be a turning point for his team. Otherwise, how will he survive this season? Maybe let’s not go there, lest David also loses his mind up in here.

11. Run It Back! (Gabs) (5-5) [10]

This was a down week for Gabs because some key players (Walker, Bowers) were on bye. He got good production from his RBs in Walker’s absence, but Aaron Rodgers is clearly not the QB he once was. Gabs has smartly pivoted to Russ moving forward. Rodgers’s (and the Jets’s) terribleness will likely affect Garrett Wilson negatively as well. And Brian Thomas Jr doesn’t look as valuable without Trevor Lawrence. Things don’t seem to be trending in the right direction for Gabs.

90s Song Comp: Celine Dion - “My Heart Will Go On”

“Near, far, wherever you are

I believe that the heart does go on

Once more, you open the door

And you're here in my heart

And my heart will go on and on”

While there hasn't been one huge missing piece to Gabs’s team, it does seem like his team in general has underperformed. Some weeks he has players that are “near” and doing well, or others that are “far” due to injury or situation. Wherever his team is, Gabs still finds himself in a decent situation, sitting at 5-5 and 7th in league standings, right on the edge of playoff contention. Gabs tends to be pretty loyal to his players (JT, Walker, Rodgers), holding them close to his heart, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's enough for his heart (and season) to go on.

12. choubacca (Aaron) (3-7) [12]

Aaron’s team continues to fall apart - CeeDee Lamb seems pretty useless at this point with Dak out for the year, Tyreek has reportedly been playing with a torn ligament in his wrist, and Baker appears to be slowing down. One potential bright spot is that Baker / White / Otton’s (i.e. Tampa’s) schedule looks pretty easy to end the season, but will it be enough to keep Aaron out of Sacko?

90s Song Comp: TLC - “No Scrubs”

“So no, I don't want your number

No, I don't want to give you mine and

No, I don't want to meet you nowhere

No, I don't want none of your time and

No, I don't want no scrub

A scrub is a guy that can't get no love from me

Hangin' out the passenger side

Of his best friend's ride

Trying to holla at me”

Aaron’s team is full of scrubs. Ok, maybe not all scrubs - I’ll give him a pass on Tyreek Hill and CeeDee Lamb - but pretty close. Let’s see, this week he starts Cooper Rush at QB, Alexander Mattison and Khalil Herbert at RBs, and no Defense. Scrub. Yes, son, I'm talking to you.

Week 9 #PowerRankings - Trade Proposal Edition!

With the NFL trade deadline passing yesterday, and with our FFNUTHANG trade deadline only 10 days away, and on the heels of a huge trade between Haji and Jeff Lin, I decided to put up some trade proposals in this week’s Power Rankings. The trade action this season has been pretty slow: Perhaps it’s because so many teams are bunched together in the standings with just two games separating #3 and #12. Or perhaps implementing Keepers has thrown a wrench into how people value their players. Who knows? But in hopes of getting some trade conversations flowing, I present to you #PowerRankings Trade Proposal Edition!

1. ihatesaquon.theend. (Eric) (6-3) [1]

In the upset of the week, Eric’s team put up the 2nd most points for the week, only to lose to the #HighScore Spider Pigs. He was mad enough about this loss to change his team name using writing mechanics and punctuation likely taught at NC State. His Points For is scary good, though: 100+ points more than the next highest PF. I don’t really see his team slowing down, either. Sure, he’s lacking at WR, but I think he more than makes up for it with his other pieces.

Trade Proposal: Josh Jacobs + Taysom Hill to Jeff Lin for Deebo Samuel

Eric could use an upgrade at WR, and he’d be solid enough at RB with Bijan and Kamara to be able to sacrifice Jacobs to upgrade his WR.

2. Justin Time to Catch Achane (Haji) (3-6) [3]

Haji’s blockbuster trade with Jeff Lin has definitely changed the makeup of his team. Going from Breece to Achane was an upgrade, assuming Achane and Tua can stay healthy. Also, Achane’s keeper value is much better than Breece’s. Giving up Deebo for Kupp was a lateral move - both have high ceilings but both have injury risk with Kupp having a little more downside due to his age. So will giving up Josh Allen for a serviceable Cousins plus the hope that Etienne can have a better 2nd half of the season be worth it for Haji? That’s TBD. Haji wins the trade if Etienne can put up Flex numbers. Jeff wins the trade if Etienne continues to dud. Bigger picture, I think Haji was playing the long game in this one given Achane’s sleeper value. But in the short term, I think Haji’s team actually looks a little better now if everyone can stay healthy.

Trade Proposal: Justin Jefferson + Chuba Hubbard to Gabs for Kenneth Walker III + Brian Thomas Jr

Not that Haji needs to blow his team up any more than he already has, but if Haji’s going to go with a long-term strategy, why not take a shot on Brian Thomas Jr? Kenneth Walker would be a huge upgrade over Chuba at RB2, and while he’d be losing his WR1 in Justin Jefferson, Brian Thomas’s keeper value may be a better deal come draft time next year.

3. Maybabyboo (Laura) (5-4) [5]

Laura’s team has quietly been on a tear the past 5 weeks, securing a 4-game win streak after Week 9. Joe Mixon and D’Andre Swift have been pretty reliable in that 5-game time span, and Chase Brown, James Cook, Darnell Mooney, and Kelce have shown flashes as well. It may be time for her to consider starting Zay Flowers over Waddle, and I might even explore some trades with teams that are RB-starved.

Trade Proposal: James Cook to Luke for Devonta Smith

Laura could use an upgrade at WR, and she has too many RBs to know what to do with. If she can convert some James Cook’s value for a solid WR2 in Devonta Smith, it would be well worth her while to do so.

4. Kraft Mac Salad (Andrew) (5-4) [4]

Andrew’s team continues to look pretty impressive. What’s encouraging is that he’s getting good bench production as well - Xavier Legette will emerge as a top target in Carolina with Diontae and Mingo (LULZ) gone (and with Adam Thielen being old), JSN had a huge game and hopefully can continue on that trajectory, and Rico Dowdle is now clearly Dallas’s best RB as they opted out of acquiring an RB via trade. All Andrew needs is a reliable QB.

Trade Proposal: Terry McLaurin to Tim for Kyler Murray + Davante Adams

McLaurin has been solid, but Andrew needs an upgrade at QB. While Kyler has been up and down, he’d be an upgrade over Stroud or Nix at this point. Kyler’s schedule has been rough to start the season, and it should get better in the back half of the season. Davante Adams is a serviceable WR2, and if his chemistry with Rodgers returns to form, he could enter WR1 territory.

5. Love thy Naber (Jeff Lin) (5-4) [7]

Jeff Lin pulled out a win on the backs of Achane, Kupp, and Cousins - but all three players are no longer on his team after his blockbuster trade with Haji. See Haji’s blurb for my thoughts on the trade. TLDR: If Etienne continues to bust, Jeff wins the trade by getting a big upgrade at QB. I do like that Jeff was able to consolidate his pieces and convert a failing Etienne into some draft capital. I’m a little skeptical about how Breece will do in a seemingly unpredictable Jets offense, but he definitely has as much upside as Achane does. I was just happy to finally see a big trade go through!

Trade Proposal: Deebo Samuel to Eric for Josh Jacobs + Taysom Hill

Sure, Jeff just got Deebo. But picking up Josh Jacobs will give Jeff more RB depth (and provide a strong Flex play), which would go a long way for his team. While Taysom Hill probably isn’t a huge TE upgrade from Pitts, I expect his usage to increase with the Saints offense becoming more and more depleted, so starting him at TE may end up being somewhat of a cheat code.

6. 第六 (Abraham) (4-5) [2] 

Abraham’s team sustained some major injuries in Olave’s concussion and Drake London’s hip. I’d expect Olave to be out for a bit, and London’s situation still seems up in the air. Add the fact that Jordan Love has been less than stellar, and Keon Coleman also got injured, Abraham’s short-term outlook appears to be a bit shaky.

Trade Proposal: Jahmyr Gibbs + Drake London to Jeff Chen for David Montgomery + Nico Collins

Abraham needs an upgrade at WR, and Nico would provide just that. He’d sacrifice the upside of Gibbs for Montgomery, but I could see it playing out to his favor, especially if Nico returns to form after his injury.

7. I am not sacko! (Jeff Chen) (4-5) [6]

This week was a down week for Jeff Chen with DK Metcalf and Mike Evans still out and Kittle on bye. Jeff should see improvement with Nico Collins healthy (hopefully not this week for my team’s sake) and Joe Burrow may be starting to feel some kind of groove. Once DK and Mike Evans return to health, Jeff’s team could be very scary.

Trade Proposal: David Montgomery + Nico Collins to Abraham for Jahmyr Gibbs + Drake London

While Jeff probably won’t give up Nico, or trade at all for that matter, getting the upside of Gibbs would be a huge step forward. Sure, Montgomery has been a good RB option, but Gibbs has the youth and definitely has a higher ceiling. If London stays healthy, he potentially has a high ceiling as well.

8. Unicorn QueenZ (Tim) (7-2) [8]

I won’t deny that luck plays a big part of Fantasy Football, but I also won’t deny the fact that I AM #1 RIGHT NOW. That’s really all I had to say because I feel like every week I’m just trying to piece together some semblance of a team that will hopefully get lucky again and get me another win.

Trade Proposal: Kyler Murray + Davante Adams to Andrew for Terry McLaurin

I like the prospect of a Jayden Daniels + McLaurin stack. Having Brian Robinson makes me too reliant on the Commanders offense, but they’ve looked good, so I’ll take the risk. Kyler hasn’t done much on my bench anyways, so I’d be glad to get an upgrade at WR.

9. Spider Pig (Luke) (4-5) [12]

Way to go Luke! Mahomes finally has a good game for fantasy, Saquon continues to impress and dazzle with his backwards hurdle, Courtland Sutton exploded, Austin Ekeler was the main benefactor of my Brian Robinson sacrifice, and all the stars aligned for Luke to get #HighScore in Week 9. Can his team continue this production? Likely not. But it definitely provides a much-needed morale boost for someone who is just playing FF so he can have fun with friends.

Trade Proposal: Devonta Smith + Najee Harris to Laura for James Cook + Darnell Mooney

Luke probably has less incentive than Laura to make my proposed trade for Laura happen, but I could see it going through if he added Najee Harris in return for Darnell Mooney, perhaps? Luke isn’t strong at RB outside of Saquon, but if he were to lose Devonta Smith, he’d be thin at WR as well, so getting another WR in return would make this trade a little more acceptable.

10. Run It Back! (Gabs) (5-4) [10]

Gabs pulled out the win this week, but I’m still not sure if this Rodgers-Wilson thing is real or a mirage. If it’s real, then Gabs’s team should continue winning - I would expect Jonathan Taylor and Brian Thomas, Jr to bounce back, and Kenneth Walker and Brock Bowers to continue to produce. I just think it’s probably more of a mirage.

Trade Proposal: Kenneth Walker III + Brian Thomas Jr to Haji for Justin Jefferson + Chuba Hubbard

Getting Justin Jefferson is probably not a likely outcome, but Gabs has a lot of youth on his roster that he can try to leverage to teams that are already looking towards next year - one of those teams possibly being Haji’s. Brian Thomas Jr, Brock Bowers, Bucky Irving, and Tyrone Tracy Jr just to name a handful. Whether he’s willing to trade them is another story.

11. Terrific Tortoises (David) (3-6) [9]

Fantasy Football has not been kind to David this year. At least CMC is expected to return in Week 10, DeAndre Hopkins looked good in Week 9 with the Chiefs, Jalen Hurts has been great, and Tony Pollard has been surprisingly productive. That doesn’t help David’s morale though, sitting at 11th place and being 11th in Points For, but I do think there is a glimmer of hope for the future.

Trade Proposal: DeAndre Hopkins + Christian McCaffery to Aaron for Tyreek Hill + James Conner

I know David has waited all this time for CMC to finally return, but perhaps he can still get the most value out of CMC before he actually plays. I have no idea how CMC will look or how he’ll be used - it could be RB1 production, or it could be very limited. But David could use some reliable help at RB and an upgrade at WR. This trade would provide both.

12. choubacca (Aaron) (3-6) [11]

After an impressive Week 9 performance, Aaron’s team has fallen back to reality. With Dak now on IR, not only does Aaron lose a QB, but CeeDee’s production will also take a hit. Good thing Aaron has Baker Mayfield, who has been playing better than Dak anyways. Cade Otton has also been on a hot streak, but in spite of that, Aaron seems to have a bunch of FF JAGs, which unfortunately isn’t a recipe for success.

Trade Proposal: Tyreek Hill + James Conner to David for DeAndre Hopkins + Christian McCaffery

This is the kind of risk Aaron needs to take to have a hope of getting out of Sacko. CMC has the potential to be a league-winning RB. DeAndre Hopkins has shown he still has the skills needed to produce. Sure, losing Tyreek and Conner would be a big blow, but it’s not like they’ve been winning him all that many games.