Gridiron Pros Season update – Sports Fanatics play Fantasy SF-25

Current Standings

1 – Skins2 

Total Points for ranking – 5th

Skins2 got off to a great start in a very difficult division.  Currently at 3-1 their record is better than expected considering that two of the other three teams in their division have had higher scoring teams.  Their current roster has been weakened by two significant injuries.  Chris Carson is likely done for the season, and Mohamed Sanu will probably miss a few games.  Despite getting off to a great start, Skins2 could have a difficult time making the postseason.  They have the third hardest strength of remaining schedule, and two of the top 4 scoring teams in their division.  Only time will tell if their luck will last.

2 – Blitzkrieg 

Total Points for ranking – 3rd

If not for a poor Season opener by the Seattle Seahawks limiting Russell Wilson’s and Doug Baldwin’s Fantasy production.  Blitzkrieg would likely be 4-0.  Still at 3-1 they lead their division comfortably.  Only Stoniestars seems to have a chance to possibly catch them.  Still it’s very unlikely.  With injuries to both Danny Woodhead who’s done for the season, and Rob Kelley who’s day to day.  Blitzkrieg hasn’t lost any key pieces going forward.  They also benefit by having the easiest remaining strength of schedule.  Blitzkrieg is my pick to win the Grid North division.

3 – RuinRevelation

Total Points for ranking – 4th

RuinRevelation has gotten off to a great start despite poor fantasy production from some of their early picks. Marshawn Lynch, Kelvin Benjamin, and Latavius Murray could all qualify as busts at this point.  Murray isn’t even on the roster any longer.  Fortunately RuinRevelation has made some key acquisitions, and avoided the injury bug.  Currently at 3-1 with star players like Tom Brady, Stefon Diggs, and Jordan Howard.  RuinRevelation is my pick to win the Grid Central division.  It won’t be easy because they have the sixth hardest remaining strength of schedule, but seems likely.

4 – Because you’re a Lannister

Total Points for ranking – 9th

Of the four teams at 3-1, Because you’re a Lannister is the least deserving.  Only three teams in the league have scored fewer points than them.  Yet they have benefitted from playing against teams when key players suffered injuries, or their opponents players faced difficult defences.  Eventually their luck will run out.  They are the lowest scoring team in their division, and have the fourth hardest remaining strength of schedule.  Allen Robinson is out for the season, and Jack Doyle just entered concussion protocol.  The only potentially good news for them is the possible return of Andrew Luck in the second half of the season.  Although they currently lead their division.  It’s possible that Because you’re a Lannister could actually fail to make the playoffs given their current situation.

5 – Captain Canada

Total Points for ranking – 8th

Currently ranked 5th overall Captain Canada represents the first of our 2-2 teams.  Predicting what will happen to the majority of these teams is difficult.  Fortunately for Captain Canada their only significant injury is to Darren Sproles.  Unfortunately they also have the fifth hardest remaining strength of schedule.  Their current roster looks strong, and they have a number of Quarterbacks that they could use to trade for an improvement at Wide Receiver.  That could be all it takes for them to make the playoffs.

6 – Pixie’s Pirates

Total Points for ranking – 1rst

If it wasn’t for the Season ending injury to David Johnson.  Pixie’s Pirates would probably be the top ranked team on this list.  Even after losing the consensus number 1 pick in fantasy football.  Pixie’s Pirates remaining stars Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, Todd Gurley, and Carlos Hyde should be more than enough to win Grid South.  To make matters worse for the rest of their division.  Pixie’s Pirates has the second easiest remaining strength of schedule.  Pixie’s Pirates is my pick to finish the Season as the Top ranked team.

7 – Just Win Baby

Total Points for ranking – 7th

Although 2-2 is a decent start in such a competitive League.  Just Win Baby’s season has taken a dramatic turn for the worst after losing Dalvin Cook for the rest of the season this week, and Derek Carr for at least a few games as well.  With the Denver Broncos on their Bye week.  This leaves Just Win Baby scrambling to find a Quarterback, and seriously lacking Running Back depth.  The good news for Just Win Baby is that they have the third easiest remaining strength of schedule.  Hopefully that’s enough for them to squeak into the playoffs.

8 – Swaggy B

Total Points for ranking – 10th

How Swaggy B is 2-2 is anyone’s guess.  They are the lowest scoring team in their division by far.  They lost Corey Coleman for the season but that doesn’t affect them much.  Where they have been seriously lacking is with there Running Backs.  Without a single Running Back that they can count on, it’s been a guessing game each week.  To make matters worse Swaggy B has the most difficult remaining strength of schedule.  Unless they make some drastic moves quick, Swaggy B won’t be making the playoffs this Season.

9 – The Losers

Total Points for ranking – 11th

Another team that is unbelievably at 2-2.  The Losers have been relying on the strength of the Denver Broncos Defence, a ridiculous amount of points from their Kicker Matt Bryant, and Tom Brady’s new favourite target Brandin Cooks to win games.  Whether this formula can continue to generate wins remains to be seen.  In my opinion it won’t be enough to get them into the playoffs.  Especially because they have the second hardest remaining strength of schedule.

10 – Grid Warriors

Total Points for ranking – 2nd

How am I at 1-3 with the second most points for in the league?  You got me.  Although my last loss was due to two early injuries in last week’s games.  Ty Montgomery, and Julio Jones both left their games in the first quarter.  If either one of them finished the game I would have won.  Even though I find myself at the bottom of my division.  It’s still a possibility that I could potentially win it.  At this point with the sixth easiest remaining strength of schedule I actually expect to make the playoffs.  The combination of star players Leonard Fournette, Antonio Brown, and Julio Jones should be enough to get me to the playoffs.

11 – Stoniestars

Total Points for ranking – 6th

Another 1-3 team that should be doing far better.  Stoniestars has also been extremely unlucky.   They have a very balanced roster that includes the current number 1 fantasy player Kareem Hunt.  They are in the statistically easiest division, and have the fourth easiest remaining strength of schedule.  With no significant injuries holding them back.  I expect Stoniestars to easily make the playoffs.

12 – For Whom the Bell Tolls for

Total Points for ranking – 12

Somebody has to be last right.  Our current Champion is not just the only team without a win.  They are statistically the worst team in the league.  Oh how the mighty have fallen.  There is reason to be optimistic though.  Le’Veon Bell seems to have finally hit his stride.  Terrelle Pryor seems to be on the same page as Kirk Cousins now.  Chris Thompson was a great acquisition off the waiver wire.  As long as For Whom the Bell Tolls for keeps making smart decisions there’s a chance that they might sneak into the playoffs.  They also benefit from having the  fifth easiest remaining strength of schedule.

Opportunities

It seems like every Season around this time that the first League trades start to happen.  All it takes is one key trade to turn around a Season.  The injuries begin to mount up so what becomes available on the waiver wire is sorely lacking.  This year Running Backs are at a premium.  So many of the Top RBs are either injured or not performing as expected.

What happens over the next four games will ultimately determine who has a chance, and who’s getting ready for next Season.