Power Rankings: Week 10
Holy moly. We’re in for a photo finish. Only 7 or 8 of us have a shooting chance at securing a playoff spot, but the seeding is entirely up for grabs.
There are some familiar faces at the top, and some familiar faces at the bottom! Let’s also give thanks to our “role players” in the middle. They’re important too. You know who you are.
THREE. WEEKS. LEFT.
Buckle up.
Mike & Chet (6-5)
Last Week: 2nd
Al Gore was wrong. The real unfortunate truth is that this duo has a legit chance to run it back. Tank Dell is for real, and yeah, he was my 14th round draft pick. Does that make me lose sleep at night? Yes. This lineup is healthier than most, deeper than most, and Justin Jefferson’s hammy will be griddying before long.
Case (8-3)
Last Week: 1st
Call the exterminator, because we have an injury bug infestation. The loss of Mark Andrews and Aaron Jones is significant, but no one is better situated to weather the storm. Here’s to you, Mr. Robinson(s) - both RBs have been on a tear. The WR room has been up and down lately, but it’s chock-full of dudes who can be securely rated as a WR2. Here we have yet another franchise with realistic aspirations at bringing home ring #2.
Brad (7-4)
Last Week: 7th
I’m happy for you. Who cares what Austin thinks? This feels right, it feels good. Gibbs is here to stay as a bonafide RB1, and his teammate split out wide is as reliable as they come. Travis Kelce has been supremely disappointing as of late, but I’d bet my bottom dollar this slump is short-lasted. Now, hear me out. Life is good, but it could be better. Bradley is still one reliable tailback away from securing his first ring (sorry @Sam, the wedding is over). Let’s see if he shakes things up before the 12/1 trade deadline.
Austin (6-5)
Last Week: 4th
Big win, still on the outside looking in. The acquisition of Saquon and Calvin Ridley paid major dividends on Sunday, but it’s not all good news. Mahomes is still Mahomes, but his current QB10 rank is, well, it’s a letdown. And how will Ja’Marr Chase fair with a different JB under center? Like Super Mario 64, there’s no shortage of starpower, you can’t deny there are some unresolved question marks too.
Bacich (6-5)
Last Week: 3rd
Let me start by saying this is the best wide receiver TRIO in the league. Hill and Lamb need no introduction, and the return of Justin Fields boosts DJ Moore’s value in a major, major way. Any level of respectable production out of Cook & Conner will make this lineup truly formidable. I heard Achane’s injury-plagued cameo on Sunday gave Bacich a second round of testicular torsion. There’s a tough slate of BYEs on the horizon, making a Week 11 victory all the more important.
Tom (8-3)
Last Week: 6th
The improbable winning streak has been stretched to four. Are you surprised though? Afterall, it’s me we’re talking about. This roster had 4-10 written all over it in September - but Rachaad White, Jaylen Warren, and Gus Edwards had other ideas. I love them like they are my sons. It feels good to be home. And by home, I mean at the top. In all fairness, a first round exit feels like a foregone conclusion.
Pete (6-5)
Last Week: 5th
Uh oh! Peter needs WRs! Mike Evans has been a lineup lock for his entire career, but the WR2 & WR3 slots have been revolving doors. Enter: Tee Higgins - inconsistent and bad hammy. Enter: Gabe Davis - two goose eggs in three weeks. Enter: Zay Jones & KJ Osborn - bunk. Maybe a healthy Noah Brown is the answer. Until then, this prodigal son will need to bank on his stallion RBs to provide the horsepower.
Ryan (4-6-1)
Last Week: 11th
Devin Singletary. Who would’ve thought he’d have so much relevance this late in the season! But as his stock has risen, Josh Jacobs and Stefon Diggs have taken a dive. But let’s get real, there’s too much talent and volume there for legit concern. You know what is concerning though? Tomato Tomato awaits in Week 11, who Ryan has yet to triumph over in FIVE AND A HALF YEARS of fantasy football. OWNAGE.
Devon (4-7)
Last Week: 9th
Ah, ah, ah, ah, staying alive, staying alive. De’Von clutched up in Week 10, sustaining his slim playoff aspirations while suffocating another. One could make the argument this squad has never been stronger. Davante Adams, Tony Pollard, and OBJ (yes, that OBJ) are coming off nice stretches, and now AJ Dillon is lined up for a steady stream of volume. But make no mistake, Lamar and JT are the spoons that stir the sauce. It’s now or never - gotta win out!
Henry (3-7-1)
Last Week: 8th
ESPN says there’s a chance, but they’re just being nice. It’s over. This roster is worthy of an offseason case study. QB2, TE1, three top 24 RBs, and…..oh there’s your problem. The wideouts have been putting up numbers like their offense runs the triple option. I regret to inform you that the Kupp is now empty.
Kyle (4-7)
Last Week: 12th
The Harwood posse has the look of a dangerous spoiler, but they also have an outside chance of chasing down the 6th seed. Capping off 2023 with a .500 record would be a huge moral victory for a team that’s been bludgeoned with bad fortune year after year after year after year. Know who loves moral victories though? GMs who don’t win.
Cole (3-8)
Last Week: 10th
Upon further review, E does indeed stand for Eliminated. Everything Cole touches turns to ash. JK Dobbins, Mike Williams, Joe Burrow, Kenneth Walker, Kyren Williams - I’m probably missing a few. Time to pick yourself up by your bootstraps, play spoiler, and fight like hell to avoid the basement.
