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+---- Thread: *Week 9 Power Rankings (/showthread.php?tid=13614)
*Week 9 Power Rankings - contacts - 05-29-2019
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]1. Baltimore Hawks[/div]
The Baltimore Hawks clearly grabbed the top spot in the power rankings this week on the heels of a seven game winning streak - not to mention a surprising loss by the San Jose SabreCats to the Philadelphia Liberty. Baltimore's offense has been insane and is leaps and bound better than any other team, at 353 total points, they've actually scored almost 50% more points than the Arizona Outlaws, who rank second. An early misstep versus conference rival Yellowknife dropped expectations for a moment, but the Hawks have dominated since, rarely letting games stay competitive in the fourth quarter. They've established themselves as the team to beat going forward.
It's worth noting that star QB Childish Gambino is currently on pace to break the single season touchdown record, and perhaps the only other player in the league that could challenge him for MVP to this point is fellow teammate and star RB Marquise Brown. Tough sledding for the Hawks
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]2. San Jose SabreCats[/div]
The defending champion San Jose SabreCats started out of the gates this season hot, winning their first four games while playing some inspired defense. That defense is the number one scoring defense so far this season, and they have also been punishing opposing QBs while leading the league in sacks (41!) by a healthy margin. The offense, however, has regressed from its upper echelon form last year to a mediocre at best unit so far this season - highlighted by a rough 20 - 0 shutout upset loss to the Philadelphia Liberty last week.
However, even with the tough loss and middling offense, San Jose has to be happy with their chances to repeat as champions this season - they sit one game up in their conference with two huge wins over their closest competitor, the Orange County Otters. Those important early season wins should ensure them a playoff spot barring a total collapse, and if they can figure out their offensive woes they immediately become dangerous enough to repeat as NSFL champs.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]3. Orange County Otters[/div]
The Orange County Otters have gone about their business this year, beating every team they have faced not named Baltimore or San Jose. While the lack of success against the top tier teams might cast some doubt about their championship hopes, the balanced Otters have put themselves in the drivers seat for a play-off spot with a nail biting win over the upstart Arizona Outlaws in Week 6. However, the Otters cannot take anything for granted as their remaining schedule is tough and affords no easy games until the final week of the regular season.
This season, Otter's WR Sunnycursed has finally took the lead receiving reigns from the legendary WR Carlito Crush and leads the league in receiving so far this season with 956 yards in 9 games - as pace he will have to keep up as WR Jay Bishop out of Colorado looks to make this race interesting and trails by only 6 yards in what has been a dead heat so far this year.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]4. Arizona Outlaws[/div]
The Arizona Outlaws were brutal last season, winning just two games, but so far it looks as though their rebuilding woes have been worth it as they currently sit 5 - 4 on the season while enjoying important contributions from their season 15 rookie class. They have had a balanced recipe for success as well, boasting the best non-Baltimore offense and respectable defense that has enabled them to take care of lesser teams on the schedule while playing the elite teams tough. Having already avenged an early season loss to Yellowknife in convincing fashion, the Outlaws will have to prove they can beat the leagues best with games against Baltimore, San Jose, and Orange County still on the schedule.
The Outlaws duel back field deserves a mention, as it is an integral piece of their turn around. Arizona traded for established RB Ricky Adams before the season started, leaving some to wonder how he would fit in with incumbent star RB Slim Shady. Both backs have preformed admirably and provide the engine the Outlaws offense runs on, with each back averaging nearly a 100 yards from scrimmage per game.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]5. Philadelphia Liberty[/div]
The Philadelphia Liberty lost in the Ultimus final last year, and that loss obviously loomed large as they stumbled mightily out of the gates to begin season 15, winning just one of their first four games - and that win to the hapless New Orleans Second Line. At one point in danger of looking like a league basement feeder, the Liberty have since reeled off four out of five wins and securing a winning 5-4 record heading into week 10. That streak includes a crucial win versus Yellowknife and a huge upset SHUTOUT versus San Jose - wins that have put the Liberty in the drivers seat for a playoff position. Their schedule doesn't ease up, and a home date versus Yellowknife in the final week of the season looks to be one of the most important games of the regular season.
Vander Jones was an accomplished defensive back and acclaimed return man in the DSFL before he decided to switch positions to the offense side of the ball and try his natural agility and elusiveness full time at the running back position in his first NSFL season. The numbers speak for themselves as the rookie RB is currently 4th in rushing yards, providing elite returns to both his professional team as well as his fantasy owners.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]6. Yellowknife Wraith[/div]
The Yellowknife Wraiths started out as strong as any team in the league, winning their first four games and barely losing to an at the the time undefeated San Jose SabreCats team. That included a huge home victory over the Baltimore Hawks, a win which seems even more implausible now. Yellowknife has gone from early season power house, to losing five of their last six games....the win coming at the expense of the bottom dweller Colorado Yeti. While the fall from grace has been striking, all is not lost for the Wraith: with two easy wins on the schedule and a rubber match versus Philadelphia on the schedule - a return to form could easily see this squad making the playoffs over the Liberty this year.
To do that, rookie QB Cooter Bigsby has to take the next step in his development. The highly touted, number one overall pick has had an up but mostly down season so far, and must play better for the Wraiths to make the playoffs this season. Fellow rookie Morgan Marshall has played well as the starting RB this season, but the mid season slide seems to point out that the young offensive players are a year away from being serious contenders.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]7. Colorado Yeti
[/div]
The Colorado Yeti's one win this year has guaranteed that they don't hold the dubious honor of being last in the power rankings, that win coming versus the bumbling New Orleans Second Line, who haven't won a game all year. The Yeti haven't even been that close in any game, just once finishing within seven points in any loss. They also have the league's worst defense.
Micycle McCormick led the NSFL in passing last year, but the old guy is clearly past him prime and isn't a legitimate threat anymore. However, he can still sling it and WR James Bishop has been arguably the best WR in the league, piling up 950 yards and a league best 9 TDs. It will be interesting to see if WR Bishop can coax a top WR season out of McCormick as he Micycle's off into the sunset.
[div align=\\\"center\\\"]8. New Orleans Second Line[/div]
Not a good season so far, the New Orleans Second line boast the worst scoring offense, and probably the worst defense in the league too - they get to avoid the record setting Baltimore Hawks. They deserve where they sit at 0 - 9, and unfortunately might have just one more chance at a win this season.
However, this team has some major talent on the way; 3 picks in the top 13 in last year's loaded class. With Luchadore legend and human high light reel Forrest Gump under franchise control - the team certainly has a talented young base to build on.
*Week 9 Power Rankings - slothfacekilla - 05-29-2019
*sad trumpet noises*
*Week 9 Power Rankings - TomHanks - 05-29-2019
(05-29-2019, 06:43 PM)slothfacekilla Wrote:*sad trumpet noises*
![[Image: wT6zvdo.jpg?1]](https://i.imgur.com/wT6zvdo.jpg?1)
Things are looking up for next year though!! Thank you for the kind words @contacts!
*Week 9 Power Rankings - PDXBaller - 05-29-2019
Caw caw motherbirders
*Week 9 Power Rankings - Duilio05 - 05-29-2019
Walt Green played for San Antonio Marshals. S14 San Antonio Marshals have historic offensive season.
Walt Green now plays for Baltimore. S15 Baltimore having a historic offensive season.
Conjecture: Walt Green makes offenses better.
*Week 9 Power Rankings - CalvinP - 05-29-2019
(05-29-2019, 06:54 PM)TomHanks Wrote: