Week 7 Rankings, 2012

Wow, the season is more than halfway done already! Where has the time gone? This week, I’ll gaze into the crystal ball for the rest of the regular season outlook for each team; note that my projection record this year is a stellar 22-20.  So, basically, I’m as reliable as any coin.

12. Cactus watch out! (Steve S.)
Average Ballot Position: 11.8 (0)
Yahoo Power Ranking: 10
Standings: 12
W-L: 1-6
Another rough showing for a team with some talent but without balance. Outlook: Probably will steal another two wins when the matchups become favorable, but not going to the playoffs.

11. Minions (Chris)
Average Ballot Position: 11.0 (0)
Yahoo Power Ranking: 11
Standings: 11
W-L: 1-6
Had a decent opening to pull off the upset this past week but couldn’t get the job done. A remarkable 4 players on injured reserve. Outlook: Hard to see more than one more win coming from this group, on the week that Cleveland and Atlanta both do well. No playoffs.

10. Chi Don't Dance (Luke)
Average Ballot Position: 10.0 (0)
Yahoo Power Ranking: 12
Standings: 10
W-L: 2-5
Last year’s champ continues to struggle mightily after a halfway decent start to the season. Outlook: Playoff chances looking mighty dicey – these next two weeks are almost must wins against the only two teams with worse records, and then they need some help.

9. Bacon Cheeseburgers (Andy K.)
Average Ballot Position: 8.3 (0)
Yahoo Power Ranking: 6
Standings: 9
W-L: 3-4
Four of the last five weeks have been disappointing efforts and the end of season schedule is quite challenging. There is potential, but it needs to be lived up to. Outlook: Probably can get two more wins, but will that be enough this year for the playoffs? I will venture a guess no.

8. MutantMennoMarauders (Brett)
Average Ballot Position: 6.8 (0)
Yahoo Power Ranking: 8
Standings: 5
W-L: 4-3
The Marauders continue to outplay the modest expectations placed upon them. As long as the Bears and Giants do well, they will too. Outlook: A reasonably easy schedule to close the season could mean three more wins, and a birth in the playoffs for the first time since…2008?!

7. Yakety Sacks (Jaron)
Average Ballot Position: 6.5 (0)
Yahoo Power Ranking: 7
Standings: 7
W-L: 4-3
That’s now four wins in five games for the surging Yaks, who no longer look like the worst team in the league. Outlook: Their margin for error is still very slim with their low cumulative points, but there are probably at least two more wins on the schedule which projects as a playoff team this year.

6. The Schmuckernators (Jason)
Average Ballot Position: 6.2 (0)
Yahoo Power Ranking: 9
Standings: 6
W-L: 4-3
The overachieving Schmuckernator team that started the year has given way to a struggling midseason team. Outlook: They control their own destiny, and should be able to get two more wins and a playoff spot.

5. Obese Geese (Steve E.)
Average Ballot Position: 5.8 (0)
Yahoo Power Ranking: 2
Standings: 8
W-L: 3-4
The Geese are this year’s unlucky team, having scored more points than the PACs, but with half the wins to show for it. Outlook: The good news is that this team has the hallmarks of a strong second half team, who could easily surge into the playoffs having won four or more of their final six.

4. Stars (Dan B. H.)
Average Ballot Position: 3.8 (0)
Yahoo Power Ranking: 5
Standings: 3
W-L: 5-2
Nice bounce-back effort from the Stars after a one week aberration, and this week is a fairly reasonable chance to move back into the number one slot. Outlook: Not super optimistic because the schedule looks quite difficult, but at least two wins and probably a matchup in the 4/5 game.

3. Z Power (Andy G.)
Average Ballot Position: 3.5 (1)
Yahoo Power Ranking: 4
Standings: 4
W-L: 4-3
The surging Z’s are asleep no more! Everything is coming together nicely for a well-balanced team. Outlook: Three to four more wins would not be surprising. It will be a challenge, but they could even contend for the number one overall seed, if they can run the table.

2. Sack Attack SuperPAC (Danny K.)
Average Ballot Position: 2.5 (1)
Yahoo Power Ranking: 3
Standings: 1
W-L: 6-1
Dodged a bullet by picking the right week to schedule the Minions. Outlook: Their scores have been all over the place, but the strength of this team’s stars probably means at least three more wins and a serious run at the number one overall seed. Unlikely to get the top overall score, however.

1. ChalicePastryCarnage (Adam)
Average Ballot Position: 1.7 (4)
Yahoo Power Ranking: 1
Standings: 2
W-L: 5-2
The Carnage continue to look like the best team in the league and have set themselves up nicely to challenge for the top overall score. Outlook: Four to five wins, and the number one seed in a tiebreak over the PACs. Week 11 will be a crucial showdown!