To my knowledge, in this space last year (well not this exact space, but one very similar), no one predicted that Chiefs AF and Grown Man's Poop would meet in the finals, with Chiefs AF coming out on top. Literally nothing in those two franchises history suggested that they could scale the summit that is the most elite fantasy football league in the world. Not each team's multiple playoff and finals appearances, not even the combined four league championships by these teams. Instead, they turned the league on it's head, and wrestled all the attention from the traditional league favorites Sack lunch, and Show me your TD's, who uncharacteristically pissed away the consensus best drafts in the league last year. All of this, quickly and concisely, leads us to this year's season preview. As always, teams are listed in random order, based on how good I think they are*. Cheers.
The Champ: Chiefs AF
For one week, at least, Chiefs AF are in this spot because . . .
to be the man, you've got to beat the man.
The Favorite: Sack Lunch
Last year's pre-season favorite is back in the same spot. This year's projected highest scoring team went big in the draft, adding consensus #1 pick Todd Gurley to the biggest keeper-lottery-ticket ever in David Johnson. Three-Leg Greg and Mike Evans are also potential top 5 players at their position, and if Cameron Jerrell Newton continues his every-other-year-is-good pattern, Sack could return to the playoffs (for the first time ever) with a first round bye.
The Contenders: Grown Man's Poop, Adam's Legit Team, Noodle Soup
These are the teams that should be in the running for the remaining first round bye, assuming Sack Lunch's gag reflex doesn't comes back causing him to choke it away**. ALT was the champ just two seasons ago, and Poop made it all the way to the finals last year, so these are two franchises that are used to success. Poop's eyes are no doubt watching the status of prized keeper Leveon Bell, but I doubt he's very nervous. Poop has been through this before with him. Leveon takes too much glaucoma medicine, forgets to go to camp, remembers camp, leads the league in total yards, Poop does good.
Another Steeler, with much less drama surrounding him, is the anchor for ALT.Antonio Brown leads the way, along with Christian McCaffery, and two other players who have a shot at breakout years in Ertz and the Rams D. If those two pop, ALT has a shot at the tops player at WR, TE and Team Defense.
Noodle Soup has built the team around what may be the top starting WR duo in the league. That to go along with one of the 4 or 5 RBs that has a legitimate shot at #1 at that position (Elliot) is enough to put Soup in the group of teams that should be safely in the playoffs, even with average in season management.
Playoff teams: Bush League, Bobby Bruton, Southern Comfort
Bush League and his father populate the tier of team that will likely contend for a playoff spot, but a first round bye
MAY not be realistic.
Bush has gone back to his tried and true formula of no one that probably qualifies as a true blue-chipper, lots of second tier guys that he can plug and play as he sees fit. sure he has had some forgettable years, but he is also a multiple time champ, and is coming off of a 3rd place finish last year, so Bush, you do you.
True, Bobby's team might take a little bit of the imagination to see in the play-offs, but discount this owner at your own peril. Bobby's fantasy football strategy might best be described by saying he's like the guy that played Tecmo Bowl, and would give the ball to Bo Jackson, then run back to his own end zone just so he could turn around and have a 100 yard TD run.
Again, we've been here before, and everyone has seen this owner turn a less than inspiring draft into a team that makes it to the top of the power ranking.
Southern Comfort has your QB! There is talent among this team's starters. Watson has potential to be a top QB, there are two good WR's, and Jimmy Graham could end up as a great keeper. However the RB's are thin, as is the depth everywhere except QB. The good QB's on this roster do mean that he is probably just a trade away from easing some of those concerns.
5 year plan: Show me your TD's, FDFT, Burning Sensations
Guys, I'm not saying you should start trading your players for keepers DEFINITELY, but maybe just marinate on it a little bit. I could see any of these teams moving up a tier or two, but for right now I need to see the fight.
Show me your TD's got off to the best start of his career last year, then got a little light headed from the altitude. There is a strong QB here, and Freeman has been a TD machine in the past, so this has potential to be a pesky team throughout the season.
Fort Dix is pretty similar to aforementioned Southern Comfort. Great QB, great WR, probably needs to make a trade somewhere or hit on a Waiver find to move up a tier.
If this was 3 years ago, I'd feel a lot better about the Burning Sensations, because back then Jordy Nelson was GREAT, and would pair up nicely with Aaron Rodgers. of course if this was three years ago, Saquon Barkley would still be in High School, which would lower his ceiling considerably.
That is all for now, Power Ranking will debut next week, and horrible luck to all of you this season.
*Yahoos
projected total points for the season and projected record where also glanced at. (by standings, where it says current standings, click the drop down and look at projections.)
**A good gag reflex really is a skill that you lose if you don't use.
