Week Thirteen Power Rankings

R.I.P. Sean Taylor

Wow, being an editor is much easier than being a writer! Sit around, wait for the article to come in, tell the author its crap, that my dog could do better, yadda, yadda, yadda. Well, not this week's author, they did a good job, then again so did Jason and Jeremiah, I just had to wait for Jeremiah's cat to get done with feeding time before I could see the article!

Anyway, you guessed it, another guest blogger this week! And who better to handle this week's duties than the owner of the newly surging Green Helmets, Andy Untiedt. The Helmets have put together a nice two game winning streak, including an upset victory over the top ranked Short Bus Bullies last week, that some say was fueled by the presence of their number one fan, John Heder, on the sidelines for the game.

# 1 Short Bus Bullies – The Bullies have set a new league record! …Most waiver wire moves in a single season. Hey, whatever works I guess. The Short Bus Bullies are still the favorites to win the cup this year even after the close loss to the Helmets, a game they probably should have won if not for some questionable starts (Arizona D?). The Bullies will almost certainly enter the playoff weeks with a first round bye and look to be untouchable the rest of the season. The only questions left to be answered for the Bullies are who will face them in the Super Bowl, and how many more waiver wire moves can they possibly make.

#2 Annandale Pumas – The Pumas take back the #2 spot after they pulled off a close one last week in a low scoring affair with SxC. It looks as if they will be able to hold on to the top seed going into the playoffs after the Short Bus Bullies’ loss. However, in order to win it all this year, the Pumas will have to overcome some tough match-ups in week 17. Manning and the Colts will surely be looking for revenge against the Texans and Titans after the late-season upsets of last year, so don’t expect superstars Manning and Addai to be benched in these crucial playoff games.

#3 Sixteen in the Clip – SxC looked like they had a good shot going into Monday night against the Pumas, but unfortunately for them the rain washed away all the lines on the field along with their chances at winning week 12. It looks as if Sixteen in the Clip could still have a strong playoff run and eek out a top three finish this year. Their top player, All Day Adrian Peterson comes back this week which should ensure that they will not have any repeats of last week’s sad performance. Their game this week against the Red Dogs will be a huge test between the third and fourth ranked teams.

#4 Centreville Red Dogs – Well, in the year of Tom Brady, any team with the pretty-boy QB is likely an automatic playoff contender. The Red Dogs could have women’s basketball players filling out the rest of their roster and still make the playoffs. Mastermind Bill Belichick seems to be out to prove a point this season, so it is doubtful that Brady will take a seat to minimum-wage making back-up Matt Cassel anytime. Brady…er the Red Dogs face Sixteen in the Clip this week in what will likely determine the third seed going into the playoff weeks as both teams should coast through week 14.

#5 The Rocky Runners – The Runners lose running back Cedric Benson for the rest of the season. For most fantasy teams with Benson, this loss is probably a blessing in disguise as he has been terrible this year. However, as of yet the Runners have made no move to replace the wounded bear. It looks as if their best option for a replacement running back for the last weeks of the season is old man Fred Taylor, who will probably be sore for a month after last weeks outing. The Runners really need to make some moves and pick up some waiver wire fliers this week or they could see themselves plummeting from the playoff picture.

#6 The Black Hand – With most of the league shrouded in mediocrity, and the Sunshine and Rocky Runners in a downward spiral, it’s safe to say that the Black Hand will likely be a contender in the playoffs this year. Look for the Hand to put up a lot of points in the next weeks against the Amish and the Rocky Runners with a lot of players that are sure to be involved in shootout games. The Hand are no stranger to upset victories and could go as far as landing a surprise spot in the Super Bowl.

#7 The Angry Amish – The Amish made a good move early to salvage what could have been a disastrous season in picking up QB Derek Anderson. Like Good Sport, the Amish have been plagued by inconsistent or underperforming (overrated?) studs such as Larry Johnson and the Algenon Crumpler. The Amish still have a very real shot at squeaking into the playoffs despite having scored the least number of points. This weeks matchup against the Black Hand is a must win for the livid luddites.

#8 Annandale Sunshine – Tough beat for the Sunshine who put up a whopping 127 points, but played the only team to score more. It looks like the Sunshine are going to have to pull out at least one win in the next two weeks, which is not a gimmie by any means facing two top ranked teams in the Pumas and the Red Dogs. The Sunshine’s surging start has ebbed in the latter weeks of the season due to a bad schedule, bad luck and inconsistent, verging on bad players. The Sunshine are certainly still contenders for at least the playoffs, but the loss to Good Sport last week just may be a portent of things to come, and I wouldn’t hold my breath.

#9 Good Sport – Good Sport raised a dispute as to why they shouldn’t be ignored last week, putting up 145 points! Devin Hester finally earned his spot in the Sport’s lineup, returning two kicks for points. If only return yards counted for points… In fact, everybody in Good Sport’s lineup went ridiculous last week; even backup QB Jay Cutler scored 21 points. Just goes to show that the bottom of the barrel teams still have got a lot of fight in them and cannot be overlooked as the last weeks of the season approach. Well, the last week of the season anyway as GS play the Helmets this week in the battle for last.

#10 Green Helmets – Give up? Never! Too little too late for the Helmets, who finally have a healthy team. Written off as scrubs, the Helmets still managed to make an impact on the league with an upset victory over the top-ranked Bullies, and it would only be fair to share the bitter taste of defeat with the Pumas in week 14. If nothing else, look for the Helmets to have a strong finish going into next season, possibly even managing to outscore half of the league while still coming in last place.