Strait's Mid-S2 Power Rankings
by Straitwreckn | 4 years ago | 0 Comments
As GOLG charges through the midseason of Season 2, this is a good time for re-assessment of my S2 preseason rankings.
Editor’s note: If you disagree with your ranking, get better.
32. Green Bay Packers @Ponder (-2)
Ponder is ranked dead last and that includes a team that was vacated by it’s owner. Suck it, Ponder.
31. Cincinnati Bengals @N/A (-1)
12ipped traded Burrow and then left the league. The replacement owner should have some nice young weapons to build around.
30. Houston Texans @Trel (-10)
This man was in his feelings about being ranked 20th stating, “I am easily Top-15 in the league.” He then went on to lose his first 7 games of the season before finally besting the Dolphins in Week 8.
29. Indianapolis Colts @NOP (-)
NOP added weapons on both sides of the ball but can’t seem to pull together a complete game. WR Eddie Miller and his mullet should be in contention for AFC OROTY.
28. Denver Broncos @Boz (-1)
The Broncos have actually played better than their record indicates, but if history proves anything, expect this team to nose dive heading into the draft.
27. Carolina Panthers @Niles (+1)
The Panthers would probably have more than 2 wins if Niles would just play the game instead of insisting on giving the chat a play-by-play. CMAC is the entire offense, with over 100 total touches including leading the team in receptions by a margin of 15.
26. New York Jets @Poker (-)
Poker made an OG quit last night up 28-0 at half. Is Darnold and crew rounding a corner? Tonight’s matchup against the Titans should be telling.
25. Seattle Seahawks @Hubba (+7)
One of the bigger jumps, the Seahawks have already won more games in W8 S2 (3) than in all of S1 (1). It appears Wilson has cut down on turnovers and Hayden is getting an opportunity to shine.
24. New England Patriots @Kyrell (-6)
The Patriots have the reigning league MVP in HB Spillman, however, they have yet to find a Cam replacement and the defense appears unable to hold up their end of the bargain.
23. Chicago Bears @Rumback (+1)
I originally predicted the Bears to rise in the rankings but they’ve only moved 1 spot with a meager 3-5 record.
22. Dallas Cowboys @Randizy (-)
Randizy and the Boys remain at 22 with a 3-4 record. It appears Washington will run away with the NFC East but the Cowboys should still have a shot at a wildcard position.
21. Miami Dolphins @Sock (-12)
The Dolphins had an incredible S1, climbing the Power Rankings to #8, but are off to a rocky start in S2. With the AFC East very much still up for grabs, Sock better turn things around quickly if he hopes to return to the playoffs.
20. Minnesota Vikings @Buddah (-3)
The Vikings started the season off 0-4 and then went on a run of 4 wins in a row to finish the midway mark at .500, matching their win percentage in S1. Tyler Chase and Co seem confident, let’s see how long that lasts.
19. Philadelphia Eagles @Ninja (-3)
The Eagles drop 3 spots in our rankings at 3-4-1, including a tie to the lowly Broncos. With only 4 remaining games against teams over .500, the Eagles need to pull things together down the stretch.
18. Los Angeles Chargers @Shuffle (+5)
Shuff jumps up the board by 5 although one must agree this is an unacceptable position for a team loaded in this much talent. With two division opponents currently rated higher, the Chargers appear to have their work cut out for them.
17. Baltimore Ravens @Franchise (-7)
RIP Lamar. The Ravens lost QB Lamar Jackson for the remainder of the season (or 6 if you ask Tim). The Josh Rosen Experience (TJRE) is enjoyable for us fans, but will not be enough to win them games in a tough AFC North down the stretch.
16. New York Giants @Sickboy (-3)
Sickboy joins the rest of the NFC East in contention for 2nd to the team formerly known as the Skins. Jones, Saquon, and Thomas are a formable trio and will keep this team in most ball games.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers @Bond (-3)
The Steelers relied heavily on HB Randolph in S1, however, seem to have given him a bit of a break in the first half of S2. Is Haskins the answer long term at QB?
14. New Orleans Saints @Mac (+7)
Mac brought home QB Joe Burrow who is putting on an absolute passing clinic (1927 yards and 22 TDs) in his sophomore season. The defense is the biggest issue in New Orleans giving up 30PPG good for 28th worst.
13. Los Angeles Rams @Austin (+12)
Tied for the biggest mover in the rankings, the Rams appear to be hitting their stride in S2. Famous Jameis and Rickey Rodgers are putting up incredible stats but the defense is still holding this team back from taking the next step into GOLGs Top 10.
12. San Francisco 49ers @Drake (+3)
It pains me to put the ducking 49ers in the Top 15 but Drake is 4-1 in user games so it’s hard to argue against it. The NFC West is totally up for grabs and the 49ers have a roster capable of winning it in back to back seasons.
11. Buffalo Bills @Lord (-2)
The Cole McDonald Show is not panning out to be as successful in S2 as he was in his rookie year. That said, this team is always actively looking to make moves and will likely be in contention for a playoff run anyway.
10. Arizona Cardinals @Z (+4)
The Cardinals are my favorite to emerge from the tight NFC West race behind the offensive trio of Kyler, Manny, and Hopkins. Z added some much needed thunder to LB Simmons lightning with the acquisition of LB Rashaan Evans. These two should be fun to watch for the remainder of M21.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers @Ray (-3)
The Buccs are a tough team to rank with the leagues #1 offense at 37ppg and a defense in the bottom third giving up 28ppg. Ray only faces 3 teams with a winning record in the final 8, so expect this team to take the division and a top-3 NFC playoff seed.
8. Detroit Lions @NYG (-4)
We are a bit perplexed by the Lions. Are they tanking? Are they rebuilding? Do they really think it’s okay to complain about missed throws when they trot out Jordan Ta’Amu at QB? Either way, I am not buying it, cheese will always prevail.
7. Las Vegas Raiders @Radio (+12)
Radio has his Raiders offense humming after humiliating the Bills 52-0 a couple weeks ago. Herbert, Ruggs, and breakout star HB Matt Breida appear to be aimed at taking the most explosive offense in the AFC West crown from Dream. Can he keep this hot streak going when it matters most?
6. Atlanta Falcons @Zebe (-4)
The reigning NFC Champs mark another tough team to rank given their 4-3 start, good for 3rd in their own division. Moving on from Matt Ryan and bringing in Tyree Jackson at QB to pair with Kamara and Jones will make or break this team’s 2nd half.
5. Tennessee Titans @Strait (+6)
The Titans, after leading the league in defense in S1, have flipped the script and appear to be focused more on outscoring the opposition in S2. Can QB Josh Allen and league leading WR Will Barnyard continue on such a strong pace? The Titans better hope so.
4. Cleveland Browns @Tim (+3)
The Browns have floated QB Baker Mayfield on the trade market for weeks including a post requesting “last-minute offers.” That being said, Baker remains the Browns starter and has led the team to a 6-2 start. Barring any changes, expect this team to compete for the AFC Crown with a deeper playoff run in S2.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars @Bali (-)
The Jaguars moved on from QB Minshew after selecting QB Townsend in the 1st round of last year’s draft. The move has proved fruitful as they boast a 6-1 record and Tthe offense is humming. The Titans Jags rivarly is one to watch as the Jags currently lead the H2H 3-1 (including S1 playoffs).
2. Washington Football Team @DK (+3)
The Football Team are the sole undefeated team at the midway mark at 7-0. Behind the 3rd leading offense (33PPG) and 8th defense (21PPG) one could make a legitimate argument they belong in the top spot in the rankings.
1. Kansas City Chiefs @Dream (-)
The defending S1 SB Champion Chiefs, 7-1, remain as the team to beat in our Power Rankings. HB Cam Akers appears to have taken the primary RB responsibilities from CEH and currently leads the league in rushing with nearly 1200 yards at 14TDs through 8 games.